TTC Bluish White vs. HMX KD200

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience, and two popular options are the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch. The Bluish White is favored by users who appreciate a satisfying tactile feedback, offering a snappy sound profile that adds a pop to every keystroke. Its buttery yet subtle characteristics make it perfect for typists who enjoy the sensation of each key press without excessive noise. On the other hand, the HMX KD200 stands out as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family, providing a smooth and uninterrupted typing experience that many gamers and fast typists prefer, thanks to its linear action that allows for rapid key presses without the tactile bump. While both switches cater to different typing preferences—with the Bluish White focusing on tactile feedback and sound, and the KD200 emphasizing smoothness and speed—each offers unique advantages that can enhance your keyboard experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Bluish White Tactile

HMX KD200 Linear

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the HMX KD200, a clear distinction emerges in their top housing. The Bluish White features a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is largely due to polycarbonate's rigidity, allowing for clearer sound resonance, making it an excellent choice for users interested in RGB lighting due to its translucent properties. In contrast, the KD200 utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The flexibility and sound-absorbing qualities of nylon create a rounder sound experience, showcasing how different materials can significantly alter the auditory response of the switches.

Interestingly, both the TTC Bluish White and the HMX KD200 share a similarity in their bottom housing, as both switches utilize nylon. This commonality means that both switches will offer a similar deep and full sound profile from the bottom housing, which is pivotal during bottom-out impacts. The nylon's soft nature results in sound absorption, thereby creating a muted, rounder feel during typing. As a result, while the top housings diverge significantly in their acoustic contributions, the bottom housings present a unified experience, focusing on the sensation upon keystrokes rather than the release.

In essence, the overall performance and user experience of the switches can be influenced by the interplay between their distinct top and bottom housings. The TTC Bluish White’s polycarbonate top provides a bright, responsive sound upon release, while the nylon-based bottom housing offers consistency in the rounded impact sounds for both switches. Meanwhile, the HMX KD200’s nylon top underlines the full-bodied characteristics of the keypress, complemented by its nylon bottom that echoes a similar depth. Ultimately, if achieving balanced auditory results is a goal, utilizing a nylon bottom in both cases ensures that users experience a comparable fullness, despite the contrasting auditory profiles provided by the top housing materials.

Weight

The TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch both provide a light typing experience, but they differ slightly in their actuation forces. The Bluish White has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the KD200 requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, both switches exhibit the same bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that while the Bluish White is easier to activate, both switches will feel similarly robust when pressed all the way down. For users who appreciate lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, the TTC Bluish White may be the preferred choice. Conversely, those who enjoy a bit more resistance in their keystrokes may lean towards the HMX KD200 for its marginally higher actuation force, offering a more substantial typing experience without compromising on the overall lightness of the switches.

Travel distance

The TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.5 mm, indicating that pressing them down will result in the same amount of movement from the top to the bottom. This identical travel distance means that users can expect similar tactile feedback and responsiveness when using either switch, making them potentially appealing options for those seeking a consistent keypress experience. Since both switches share the same travel distance, they offer equivalent performance in terms of the distance traveled, allowing for a uniform feel across different applications.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When considering the sound characteristics, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch produces a low-pitched sound profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone that can feel satisfying during typing sessions. Its snappy auditory feedback complements its tactile nature, creating an engaging experience that can enhance typing precision and enjoyment. In contrast, the HMX KD200 switch is noted for being the clackiest of its family, suggesting a sharp and pronounced sound that likely leans toward a higher-pitched tone. This pronounced sound can be appealing for those who enjoy audible feedback as they type, and the nature of the clacking sound may evoke a sense of nostalgia for classic typewriters or older keyboards.

In terms of feel, the Bluish White provides a diverse tactile experience, characterized by its buttery smoothness and mild touch throughout keystrokes. This switch features a stepped tactile design that allows for some double-stage feedback, making it approachable for newcomers while still offering an engaging typing sensation. The polished nature of the switch contributes to a refined feel with reduced friction, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, information about the HMX KD200’s feel is not provided, making it challenging to draw direct comparisons or articulate whether it offers a similarly smooth or tactile response.

In conclusion, both the TTC Bluish White and HMX KD200 switches offer distinct auditory experiences with the former delivering a low-pitched, mellow sound and the latter providing a sharper, clacky tone. The Bluish White excels in its tactile feedback with a buttery and mild touch, alongside a polished finish, while details about the KD200’s feel remain unknown. Each switch caters to different preferences, so depending on whether you favor a more subdued yet tactile experience or an audibly pronounced one, you can select accordingly.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between TTC Bluish White tactile switches and HMX KD200 linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you are seeking a typing experience that is not only tactile but also enjoyable and snappy, the Bluish White switches are an excellent option. Their low-pitched sound and buttery, polished feel make them suitable for users who appreciate a satisfying keystroke, ideal for both typing and gaming. These switches offer a well-rounded, mild typing experience with some unique characteristics that can cater to those who often work in shared spaces. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a pronounced clackiness that delivers a more straightforward linear feel, the HMX KD200 could be the right choice for you. Although it has a similar bottom-out force of 50 grams, its distinct sound profile may appeal to enthusiasts looking for something more audibly engaging. Ultimately, consider your environment and the type of activities you will be using your keyboard for – be it casual typing, gaming, or a mix of both – to make the most informed decision between these two switches.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Bluish White Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more

HMX KD200 Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more