Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Kailh Box Black
The Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Kailh Box Black are often cross-shopped. The main differences: travel is 4 mm on the Gateron Ink Black V2 and 3.6 mm on the Kailh Box Black; stock they sound different: deep, clacky versus firm, muted; the Kailh Box Black costs less per switch ($0.30 versus $0.75).
- Cheaper per switchKailh Box Black$0.30 versus $0.75
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Ink Black V2usable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Gateron Ink Black V2 if
- you want a switch popular for enthusiast builds.
- you want a switch popular for premium linears.
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Choose the Kailh Box Black if
- you want a switch popular for heavy linears.
- you want a switch popular for durability.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Kailh Box Black, spec by spec
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | Kailh Box Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 60g |
| Bottom-out force | 70g | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 1.8 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.6 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | smoky INK blend | PC |
| Bottom housing | smoky INK blend | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light (stronger spec) | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 3-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.75 | $0.30 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | deep, clacky | firm, muted |
| Released | 2019 | 2017 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh Box Black.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 34% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh Box Black.
95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 24% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh Box Black.
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Black V2
Where to buy the Kailh Box Black
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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