Huano Acacia vs. TTC Bluish White
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the TTC Bluish White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, individual preferences play a paramount role in enhancing the typing experience. On one hand, the Huano Acacia, a linear switch, boasts a medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring a smooth and responsive feel that many users appreciate for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, the TTC Bluish White, a tactile switch, offers a more dynamic experience with its distinct tactile feedback and satisfying snappy sound profile. This switch is particularly appealing for those who enjoy a "poppy" sensation when typing, adding an engaging layer to every keystroke. While the Acacia is ideal for users seeking a buttery and fluid typing experience, the Bluish White caters to those who favor a more pronounced tactile interaction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Huano Acacia and TTC Bluish White switches both feature polycarbonate top housings, which play an integral role in shaping their sound profiles. The use of polycarbonate establishes a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound that is favored by many users for its clarity and resonance. This is attributed to polycarbonate's relative stiffness, which enhances the auditory properties when a key is pressed and released. Furthermore, the translucency of the polycarbonate material allows for effective RGB lighting integration, ensuring that both switches may achieve a visually appealing aesthetic alongside their auditory attributes. Therefore, users can expect similar sound performance from both switches when it comes to the characteristics imparted by the polycarbonate top housing.
In contrast, the bottom housings of the Huano Acacia and the TTC Bluish White are made of nylon, which contributes a different tonal quality to each switch. Nylon is celebrated as a classic switch housing material because it delivers a deeper and fuller sound profile owing to its softer nature. This material absorbs more sound compared to its stiffer counterparts, resulting in a sound that is duller and rounder. By incorporating nylon in the bottom housing, both switches create a richer typing experience that can be felt most distinctly at the point of bottoming out. Thus, despite the differences in materials used, the nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback and sound experience.
When considering the overall performance of the Huano Acacia and TTC Bluish White switches, it becomes increasingly evident that while they share similar materials for their top and bottom housings, the interplay of these components leads to a multifaceted auditory experience. The polycarbonate top housing affords the switches their crispness during keystrokes, while the nylon bottom housing enhances the overall sound with warmth and fullness. As a result, when pressed, both switches yield a complementary auditory profile that capitalizes on both materials' strengths, resulting in a cohesive sound experience regardless of the underlying differences in their designs. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both switches serves to produce similarly satisfying results in both sound and feel, enhancing user satisfaction.
Weight
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the TTC Bluish White tactile switch exhibit some differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia linear switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, whereas the Bluish White tactile switch features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Bluish White switch is the lighter option overall, making it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming due to its lower resistance. Conversely, the Acacia switch, with its medium-light forces, provides a slightly more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Thus, users seeking a lighter switch should opt for the TTC Bluish White, while those wanting a bit more heft might prefer the Huano Acacia.
Travel distance
Both the Huano Acacia linear switch and the TTC Bluish White tactile switch have identical travel distances of 3.5 mm, meaning that users will experience the same amount of key travel when pressing down on either switch. This similarity in travel distance ensures that both switches provide a comparable feel during typing or gaming, leading to a consistent experience regardless of which switch is used. Since both switches feature a travel distance of 3.5 mm, anyone considering these switches can expect similar tactile feedback and actuation depth, making them equally suitable for various applications where precision and responsiveness are valued.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch delivers a notably smooth and subdued auditory profile. Its factory lubrication contributes to a quieter operation compared to many other linear switches, which helps create a typing experience that's less disruptive in shared or quiet environments. In contrast, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch showcases a low-pitched but snappy sound that provides a more pronounced acoustic feedback with each keystroke. The combination of the tactile bump and its bass-heavy tone creates a satisfying auditory experience that may appeal to those who enjoy a bit of auditory feedback while typing.
In terms of feel, the Huano Acacia linear switch is characterized by its medium-light weight and minimal stem wobble, resulting in a refined and responsive typing experience. The generous factory lubrication enhances the fluidity of keystrokes, making them both comfortable and smooth without the noticeable bumps of tactile switches. On the other hand, the TTC Bluish White offers a unique typing sensation marked by its buttery and polished characteristics, allowing for seamless keystrokes that feel smooth and refined. Additionally, the stepping tactile feedback means you’ll experience a mild bump during actuation, providing that classic tactile response while avoiding the harshness of more aggressive tactile switches.
Overall, if you're looking for a switch that offers a quiet, linear typing experience, the Huano Acacia is a reliable choice that ensures factory lubrication translates into smooth keystrokes. However, those who prefer auditory feedback and tactile sensations during their typing will likely find the TTC Bluish White to be more satisfying due to its snappy sound and buttery feel. Ultimately, these switches cater to different preferences: the Acacia for a quieter, smooth operation and the Bluish White for a more engaging tactile and auditory interaction. You can expect to enjoy uniquely different yet equally compelling experiences with either of these switches, depending on your typing style and environment.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the choice between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the TTC Bluish White tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you appreciate a medium-light actuation force and a smooth, efficient typing experience with minimal wobble and satisfactory factory lubrication, the Acacia would serve you well, especially if you anticipate extended typing sessions or gaming where comfort and smoothness are paramount. Conversely, if you enjoy tactile feedback and a slightly lighter actuation force, the TTC Bluish White would be better suited for your needs, particularly if you crave a more pronounced clicky sound profile that enhances the typing experience, helping to provide satisfying audible confirmation with each keystroke. Furthermore, the Bluish White’s buttery and subtle feel can make it a great choice for shared spaces, where a less intrusive sound may be appreciated. Thus, your decision should align with whether you value tactile feedback and a lively sound profile or prefer a smooth linear typing experience with a focus on comfort and subtle sound.
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