Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. KTT Lightning
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the KTT Lightning switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the KTT Lightning. The Baby Kangaroo switch offers a unique experience with its crisp and light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a pleasing marbley sound profile. Categorized as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, resonant, snappy, bouncy, and polished, this switch provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning switch is highly regarded for its "speed" capabilities, making it an excellent choice for those who value milliseconds in their keystrokes. With a slick type feel and a clacky sound profile, this switch falls under the categories of clacky, high-pitched, chirpy, subtle, and polished. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best 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
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.00 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 double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the KTT Lightning utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in similar characteristics. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, which enhances the sound profile of the switches by creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This material is also translucent, making it perfect for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lights to shine through beautifully. Overall, the polycarbonate top housing of both switches contributes to a clear and resonant sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Baby Kangaroo and the Lightning rely on nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The nylon bottom housing of both switches significantly contributes to the sound and feel when pressing down on the keys. It adds a satisfying depth to each keystroke, enhancing the overall typing experience.
While the top and bottom housings differ between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the KTT Lightning, they each bring distinct qualities to the switches. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a tactile and satisfying response when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice of housing material for each component of the switch allows for a well-balanced and dynamic typing experience. Whether it's the polycarbonate top housing or the nylon bottom housing, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, it is clear that they offer different weights and experiences. The Gateron Baby Kangaroo has a medium-heavy actuation force of 59 grams, requiring a stronger push to trigger a keystroke. Its bottom out force of 67 grams adds to a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a heavier feel. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning offers a lighter experience with an actuation force of 43 grams, allowing for a smoother and quicker keystroke activation. Its bottom out force of 50 grams further complements this lightness, providing a more effortless typing sensation. Therefore, for individuals who prefer a lighter switch, the KTT Lightning would be the ideal choice, while those seeking a heavier and more substantial feel would lean towards the Gateron Baby Kangaroo. Regardless of the choice made, both switches offer distinct advantages, catering to the preferences of different typists.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, we can see that the Baby Kangaroo has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Lightning has a travel distance of 3 mm. Both of these distances fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become more popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, opting for the shorter 3 mm travel distance of the Lightning switch would be a good choice. However, it is worth mentioning that some may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, lacking the satisfying depth that longer travel distances provide. Thus, if you prefer a more substantial key press experience, the Baby Kangaroo's longer travel distance of 3.4 mm would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired level of key press depth.
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 KTT Lightning comes in at $3.41 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 Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch offers a distinctive clacky sound profile. This means that the switch produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving it a crisp, bright, and percussive tone. Additionally, the Baby Kangaroo switch has a marbly sound quality, which means it is resonant, high-pitched, and clean. This creates an immersive auditory experience that can be compared to tapping on a solid piece of marble or the sound of two billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning switch also has a clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. It is also described as high-pitched, giving it a sharp and crisp tone. However, it has a unique chirpy quality that adds a little squeak to the sound, setting it apart from other switches. While both switches have a clacky sound and are high-pitched, the Baby Kangaroo switch offers a marbly sound, while the Lightning switch has a chirpy sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch is known for its snappy and bouncy qualities. The switch is super responsive, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs, which make the typing experience feel more alive. This means that when you press a key, you can expect a quick and tactile response. In addition, the Baby Kangaroo switch provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and allowing for rebound when pressed. Moreover, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through either the materials used or factory lubing, reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning switch offers a subtle feel. It has a gentle resistance that is not feather-light but still maintains a light typing feel. This means that the keys have a slight amount of resistance when pressed, providing a comfortable typing experience. Similar to the Baby Kangaroo switch, the Lightning switch also has a polished feel, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch offers a crisp, light switch-like tactility and a marbley sound profile. This switch provides a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound when pressed, creating an immersive auditory experience. In terms of feel, the Baby Kangaroo switch is snappy, bouncy, and polished, offering a responsive and lively typing experience with reduced friction. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning switch is known for its approachable "speed" characteristics, making it perfect for situations where milliseconds can make a difference. This switch provides a slick typing feel with a clacky, high-pitched, and chirpy sound profile. It also offers a subtle and polished feel, giving it a gentle resistance and smooth key travel. Although the two switches have some similarities in terms of sound and feel, they each have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a medium-heavy bottom out force and appreciates a crisp, light switch-like tactility, along with a marbley and high-pitched sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is the choice for you. These switches offer a snappy and bouncy feel, providing a responsive and lively typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light bottom out force and are looking for switches that can enhance your gaming performance with their "speed" characteristics, the KTT Lightning linear switch is the better option. These switches have a slick type feel and produce a clacky and high-pitched sound, ideal for competitive scenarios where every millisecond counts. Additionally, they offer a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, both switches have their unique advantages and cater to different preferences and requirements.
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