Gateron Aliaz vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, it's important to consider their distinct features and advantages. The Aliaz switch is renowned for its quiet operation, making it ideal for office settings where noise can be a concern. With a medium-heavy weight, the Aliaz provides a satisfying tactile feedback with each keystroke, appealing to users who enjoy a pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch stands out for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. The attractive pink and clear housings add a touch of personality to the Strawberry switch. While the Aliaz is described as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', the Strawberry is characterized as 'Low-pitched', 'Frictionless', 'Silky', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. Both switches offer unique benefits, so let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Strawberry switches utilize polycarbonate material for their top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enhance the auditory experience while typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the passage of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to these switches.
While both switches share the same polycarbonate housing material, they may differ in the specific design and construction of their top and bottom housings. The Aliaz switch, for example, may have a unique design for its top housing that impacts the sound when a key is pressed, while the Strawberry switch may focus more on the qualities of the bottom housing that affect the bottom-out sound and feel. These differences in housing design can result in varying typing experiences, giving users the opportunity to choose a switch that aligns with their preferences.
Overall, the similarities in housing materials between the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Strawberry switches provide users with comparable sound profiles and typing experiences. Both switches offer the benefits of using polycarbonate, such as a sharper and crisper sound, as well as the aesthetic appeal of clear housings for RGB lighting. Whether it be the Aliaz or the Strawberry, users can expect a high-quality typing experience that is enhanced by the choice of housing material in these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, we can see that the Aliaz is heavier in both aspects. The Aliaz has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, compared to the Strawberry's 43 grams actuation force and 62 grams bottom out force. This means that the Aliaz requires more force to trigger a keystroke and to press all the way down. Some may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Strawberry for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may appreciate the heavier forces of the Aliaz for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for weight and feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, it is evident that both switches have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, users will experience the same amount of key travel from the top to the bottom. The equal travel distance ensures that users will get consistent key press feedback and actuation response from both switches. In terms of travel distance, there is no distinction between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, making them comparable in this aspect.
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 Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch offers a muted experience, producing a softer and quieter sound that is ideal for quiet environments like offices. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch provides a low-pitched sound, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches provide a different auditory experience, with the Aliaz being more subdued and the Strawberry offering a deeper tone.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced resistance and enhanced smoothness. The KTT Strawberry linear switch, on the other hand, is described as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with a seamless and uniform sensation. Both switches excel in providing a smooth typing experience, with the Aliaz focusing on refined smoothness and the Strawberry emphasizing a frictionless and buttery feel.
Overall, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz provides a quiet and substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy weight, perfect for those seeking a pronounced feedback without noise. In contrast, the Strawberry offers a smooth, comfortable, and reliable performance with a low-pitched sound and a buttery, frictionless feel. Depending on personal preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience, both switches cater to different needs and preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches comes down to individual preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences and typing environment. If you value a substantial keystroke feel with a quieter typing experience suited for office settings, the Aliaz switches with their medium-heavy weight and muted sound profile may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a more mellow low-pitched sound, the KTT Strawberry switches with their silky, buttery, and polished feel could be more to your liking. Consider the bottom out force and the overall typing experience you desire to make an informed decision on which switch best suits your needs. Ultimately, the choice between the Aliaz and Strawberry switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing environment you will be using them in.
Mentioned in this article
