Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are thrilled to introduce the Gateron Baby Kangaroo, a tactile switch, and the TTC Gold Red, a linear switch. These two mechanical keyboard switches each offer their own unique features and benefits that cater to different preferences. The Baby Kangaroo is known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and a distinctive marbley sound profile. It provides a clacky, high-pitched resonance that adds a snappy and bouncy feel to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red linear switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. These switches produce a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. Both switches are polished and well-crafted, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and TTC Gold Red switches both have polycarbonate top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice if you plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Baby Kangaroo features a nylon material, while the Gold Red also utilizes nylon. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile because the softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material will affect the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Therefore, the Baby Kangaroo may provide a slightly different typing experience compared to the Gold Red due to the variation in their bottom housings.
In summary, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and TTC Gold Red switches share the same polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting setups. However, they differ in their bottom housing materials, with the Baby Kangaroo using nylon for a deeper and fuller sound experience, while the Gold Red also utilizes nylon but with a slightly different sound profile. Ultimately, the top and bottom housing materials play a role in the overall sound and feel of these switches, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Baby Kangaroo has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Gold Red's lighter 43 grams. This means that the Baby Kangaroo requires more force to trigger a keystroke initially. In terms of bottom out force, the Baby Kangaroo again has a heavier force of 67 grams, while the Gold Red has a lighter force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Baby Kangaroo provides a more substantial typing experience, requiring more force to fully press the keys. On the other hand, the Gold Red offers a lighter and potentially more comfortable typing experience, making it ideal for longer periods of typing or intense gaming sessions. Both switches provide different levels of resistance, catering to different preferences. If a lighter actuation or bottom out force is desired, the Gold Red would be the preferred choice, while those who crave a heavier and more satisfying typing experience may opt for the Baby Kangaroo.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the TTC Gold Red linear switch. The Baby Kangaroo offers a slightly shallower travel distance compared to the more traditional 4.0mm distance of the Gold Red. This shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers who seek faster response times. However, for those who prefer a more substantial key press, the longer travel distance of the Gold Red may be more suitable. Both switches offer different experiences, with the Baby Kangaroo providing a quicker and more responsive feel, while the Gold Red offers a deeper and potentially more satisfying key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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 Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch offers a unique combination of qualities. It has a clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This adds a distinct percussive element to your typing experience. Additionally, the Baby Kangaroo has a marbly sound, which is resonant, high-pitched, and clean. Tapping on these switches is reminiscent of the sound produced when tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or when billiard balls collide. These characteristics contribute to a crisp and bright sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch has a thocky sound profile, known for its deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed and released. This switch has a low-pitched sound, which is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to higher-pitched switches. Unlike the Baby Kangaroo, the Gold Red provides a more neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes. It is important to note that the sound produced by both switches can vary depending on factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch offers some distinctive qualities. It is described as snappy, meaning it is super responsive due to longer or dual-staged springs, enhancing the typing experience and making it feel more alive. Additionally, the Baby Kangaroo is bouncy, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation when pressing the keys. This gives the switches a lively feel, offering rebound upon each press. Furthermore, the Baby Kangaroo is known for its polished finish. This results in a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Gold Red is described as silky, meaning it provides an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing or releasing keys. Similar to the Baby Kangaroo, the Gold Red has a polished finish, ensuring a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The subtle resistance of the Gold Red switch maintains a light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces. Both switches offer a polished finish, contributing to their overall smoothness.
Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch provide different yet appealing qualities. The Baby Kangaroo stands out for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and its marbley sound profile. This switch offers a snappy and bouncy feel, resulting in a lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. It produces a thocky sound, adding a modest touch of personality without being too ostentatious. The Gold Red provides a mild and silky typing experience and a neutral sound profile. Both switches offer a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and typing experience. Those seeking a tactile switch with a unique sound and responsive feel may opt for the Baby Kangaroo, while those looking for a smooth, mild linear switch with a satisfying sound may prefer the Gold Red.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a unique sound profile, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo is a great choice. These switches offer a crisp and light tactile feedback, along with a marbly sound profile that adds a touch of personality to your keyboard. The Baby Kangaroo switches are described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant in terms of sound, providing a sharp and clean auditory experience. In terms of feel, they are snappy, bouncy, and polished, offering a responsive and smooth typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter bottom out force and a buttery smooth typing experience, the TTC Gold Red is the way to go. These switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, making them light and easy to press. The Gold Red switches are known for their thocky sound profile, which produces a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. They are also described as low-pitched and neutral in sound, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most purposes. In terms of feel, the Gold Red switches are mild, silky, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle and smooth typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch depends on your personal preference for the bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a unique marbly sound and a responsive feel, the Baby Kangaroo is a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter linear switch with a buttery smooth typing experience and a satisfying thocky sound, the Gold Red is the way to go. Consider your preferences and needs to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
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