Gateron Aliaz vs. KTT Peach
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Peach, it ultimately comes down to your personal typing preferences. The Aliaz switch is a tactile option known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for office settings. With a medium-heavy weight and a satisfying keystroke feel, it provides a pronounced typing feedback without the distracting noise. On the other hand, the KTT Peach linear switch offers a smooth typing experience with a deep, thocky sound profile. While both switches have their unique characteristics, the Aliaz is more tailored for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience, whereas the Peach is geared towards those who prefer a linear feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and KTT Peach switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Peach switches feature a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound overall.
While both switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, they differ in terms of their bottom housing material. The split design allows for the bottom housing material to influence the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on the switch. This means that the Aliaz switches, with their polycarbonate bottom housing, may offer a crisper and more resonant bottom-out sound compared to the Peach switches with their nylon bottom housing. However, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, so the polycarbonate top housing in both switches will contribute to a sharp and clear sound upon key release.
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Peach switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile. The Aliaz switches may be preferred for those seeking a sharper and crisper sound, especially when bottoming out keys, while the Peach switches may appeal to those looking for a deeper and fuller sound experience. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing for a similar sharp sound profile, but with the addition of nylon in the Peach's bottom housing for a different acoustic result. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, it is clear that the Peach is the lighter option. The Aliaz has a hefty actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, making it a heavier switch overall. In contrast, the Peach boasts a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a more medium-light typing experience. Those who prefer a stronger push feel may lean towards the Aliaz for a more substantial typing experience, while those who enjoy a lighter touch may favor the Peach for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Peach linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you can expect a similar amount of travel before bottoming out. While both switches offer the same level of keypress depth, they differ in their tactile and linear attributes; the Aliaz provides a tactile bump for feedback while the Peach offers a smooth linear keypress. Overall, the travel distance of both switches allows for a satisfying typing experience, whether you prefer a tactile or linear feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The KTT Peach comes in at $2.91 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 comparing the sound qualities of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, the Aliaz is best suited for those seeking a muted typing experience, ideal for quiet environments like an office setting. On the other hand, the Peach switch offers a low-pitched sound profile with a deep, thocky sound, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to the Aliaz. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, so the choice between them would depend on personal preference and the environment in which they will be used.
Moving on to the feel, the Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. This provides a refined and sleek typing feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of each keystroke. In comparison, the Peach switch offers a mild typing experience, catering to those who prefer a gentle feel without extremely pronounced characteristics. Both switches provide a different typing feel, with the Aliaz offering a more refined smoothness and the Peach providing a comfortable middle-ground experience.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Peach linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz is best suited for those who prefer a muted sound profile and a substantial, refined typing feel, making it ideal for quiet office spaces. On the other hand, the Peach switch provides a low-pitched sound with a syrupy smooth typing experience, catering to those looking for a comfortable and mild typing feel. Ultimately, the decision between these switches would come down to individual preferences for sound, feel, and the specific typing environment. Both switches offer high-quality performance in their respective categories, providing satisfying typing experiences for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience and noise level. If you value a substantial and pronounced typing feedback with a heavier bottom out force in a quiet environment, the Aliaz switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and gentler typing experience with a lighter bottom out force and a syrupy smooth sound profile, the Peach switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound profile.
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