Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are super excited to be offering two distinct mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the TTC Silent Red. These switches provide unique experiences for those seeking different qualities in their typing experience. The Baby Kangaroo is best known for its crisp and light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a distinctive marbley sound profile. With its clacky, high-pitched, and snappy characteristics, this switch delivers a bouncy and polished feel. On the other hand, if you're in search of a switch that offers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the Silent Reds are the perfect choice. These switches possess a muted sound profile, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. The Silent Red switch provides a buttery and mild tactile sensation, showcasing a polished and consistent feel from top to bottom. Additionally, it offers a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that aligns perfectly with your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the TTC Silent Red share similarities in their housing materials. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the effective use of RGB lighting, making it a practical choice for those who want to enhance their keyboard's aesthetics.
However, the differences lie in their bottom housing materials. The Baby Kangaroo utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Red also employs nylon for its bottom housing. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the bottom housing of each switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, contributing to the overall typing experience.
Despite these variations, it is important to note that both switches offer a distinct sound profile attributed to their respective housing materials. The differences in sound and feel when pressing down and releasing a key can be attributed to the qualities of the bottom and top housings. Therefore, whether you opt for the Baby Kangaroo or the Silent Red, you can expect to experience similar outcomes in terms of the sounds produced, with subtle variations brought about by the choice of their bottom and top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are notable differences. The Baby Kangaroo has a slightly higher actuation force at 59 grams compared to the Silent Red's 45 grams. This means that the Baby Kangaroo requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, both switches have a similar medium-heavy force. The Baby Kangaroo has a bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Silent Red has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
Considering weight is crucial for keyboard enthusiasts as it affects typing experience and comfort. If one prefers a lighter feel, they might opt for the Silent Red switch, as its lower actuation force allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. This makes it ideal for those who use their keyboards extensively at work or engage in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience might prefer the Baby Kangaroo switch. With its slightly higher actuation force, it provides a stronger push feel and might be favored by users who appreciate a more tactile and responsive keystroke.
In summary, while the Silent Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force, both switches have a similar medium-heavy bottom out force. Therefore, users can expect comparable results in terms of bottoming out, with the main difference lying in the initial force required to trigger a keystroke.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch have different travel distances. The Baby Kangaroo has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Baby Kangaroo.
When it comes to travel distance, there is a range of options available. The most traditional travel distance is 4.0 mm, while the most shallow is 3.0 mm. However, shorter travel distances have become more prevalent, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. In this case, if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Baby Kangaroo with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, some individuals might find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial depth to your key presses, the TTC Silent Red with its longer travel distance could be the preferred option. Both switches offer their own advantages depending on personal preference and typing style.
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 Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 is known for its clacky and marbly sound profile. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, similar to the sound of tapping on a piece of marble or two billiard balls colliding. It has a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, offering an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. It aims to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch is known for being snappy, bouncy, and polished. It offers a super responsive typing experience, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs that make the keys feel more alive. It provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving a lively feel and rebound when pressed. Additionally, the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. It offers a smooth and fluid typing experience, with a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation. It provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics, making it approachable to most users. Similar to the Baby Kangaroo switch, it also features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and TTC Silent Red switches have distinct subjective qualities. The Baby Kangaroo switch offers a crisp and light switch-like tactility, along with a clacky and marbly sound profile. It provides a snappy, bouncy, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience with a muted sound profile. It offers a buttery and mild feel, also with a polished finish. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant and comfortable typing experience, albeit with different characteristics. If you're looking for a similar result, the Silent Red switch can be a suitable choice offering a quieter and smoother typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a crisp, tactile typing experience with a unique sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switches would be a great choice for you. These switches provide a medium-heavy bottom-out force and offer a snappy and bouncy feel. The sound produced by the Baby Kangaroo switches is described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant, which can be satisfying to those who prefer a more lively and percussive sound.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent and smooth typing experience, especially in a shared environment like an office or living space, then the TTC Silent Red switches would be the better option for you. These switches have a slightly lighter bottom-out force compared to the Baby Kangaroo, but still fall within the medium-heavy range. The Silent Red switches offer a buttery and mild feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The sound profile of these switches is muted, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
Ultimately, your decision between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and TTC Silent Red switches will depend on your personal preferences. Consider whether you value a tactile switch with a unique sound profile or a silent and smooth switch for a quieter typing experience. Both switches have their own strengths and are designed to cater to different user preferences.
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