Gateron Aliaz vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Wine Red mechanical keyboard switches, it ultimately comes down to whether you prefer a tactile or linear typing experience. The Gateron Aliaz offers a tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy weight, providing a pronounced typing feedback without the noise, making it perfect for quiet environments like the office. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red provides a linear typing experience with a pillowy light feel and a deep, rich sound profile, making it a satisfying choice for those who enjoy a smooth and consistent typing experience. 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
44g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Aliaz and the KTT Wine Red switches utilize polycarbonate for both their top and bottom housings, resulting in a similar sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate plays a significant role in creating a clear and resonant sound for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it an ideal choice for switches meant for use with RGB lighting setups.
While both switches share the same polycarbonate material for their housing components, the specific design and construction of the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Wine Red switches may result in differences in their overall sound and feel. The bottom housing of a switch typically impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. As such, slight variations in the housing design between the two switches may lead to nuanced differences in typing experience and sound feedback.
Ultimately, the utilization of polycarbonate in the housing materials of both the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Wine Red switches offers a consistent and reliable sound profile with a focus on clarity and resonance. Whether it's the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound or the top housing influencing the sound upon key release, the stiffness and translucency of polycarbonate play a crucial role in enhancing the overall typing experience and aesthetic appeal of these switches, especially when paired with RGB lighting setups.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it is clear that the Aliaz is the heavier option. The Aliaz has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, providing a substantial typing experience with a significant amount of force required. In contrast, the Wine Red has a lighter actuation force of 44 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light option that may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches have their advantages - the Aliaz offering a more robust typing experience and the Wine Red providing a lighter touch for extended periods of use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same amount of travel distance. Both switches provide a standard distance for typing or gaming, allowing for a consistent typing experience across different keyboards. As a result, users can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel and performance when using these switches.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 switch offers a muted experience, minimizing noise for quiet environments like offices. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch provides a rich and deep sound profile, described as bassy and low-pitched. These differences in sound can impact the overall typing experience, with the Aliaz being more subtle and the Wine Red giving a more pronounced auditory feedback.
Moving on to feel, the Aliaz switch is characterized by its silky and polished attributes, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance. In contrast, the specific feel of the KTT Wine Red switch is not provided in the information given. However, based on the lack of descriptors, it can be inferred that the Wine Red may not offer the same level of smoothness and refinement as the Aliaz.
Considering all available information, it is clear that the Gateron Aliaz and KTT Wine Red switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz is best suited for those seeking a silent and substantial typing experience, with smooth and polished attributes. On the other hand, the Wine Red is ideal for users looking for a more rich and deep sound profile, although the specific feel may not provide the same level of smoothness as the Aliaz. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch or the KTT Wine Red linear switch, you should opt for the Aliaz if you prefer a heavier typing experience with a more pronounced tactile feedback in a quieter setting, such as an office. The Aliaz's medium-heavy weight and silent design make it ideal for those who appreciate a substantial feel to each keystroke without the noise. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter touch and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile while typing, the Wine Red may be the better choice for you. The Wine Red's medium-light bottom out force and pillowy light type feel provide a different typing experience compared to the Aliaz. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and environment in which you will be using the keyboard.
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