TTC Bluish White vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and SP-Star Meteor White offer distinct options for different preferences. The Bluish White is a tactile switch that provides a satisfying, poppy typing experience. With its buttery and mild characteristics, the Bluish White offers a stepped and subtle feel while producing a snappy and low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Meteor White is a linear switch that delivers a gentle and subdued typing experience. With its easy-to-push nature, this switch offers a soft and pitter-patter sound profile, thanks to its neutral, mild, thocky, and polished attributes. These general pointers provide an overview of what each switch brings to the table. 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
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches have distinct differences in terms of their sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Bluish White features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Meteor White utilizes a nylon top housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Aesthetically, the two switches differ in translucency, with the Bluish White being more transparent due to the polycarbonate material.
Similarly, the bottom housings of both switches are made of nylon, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile. Nylon is known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature and greater sound absorption compared to harder plastics. Therefore, pressing down on both the Bluish White and the Meteor White switches will elicit a deep and impactful sound. However, it is important to note that while the bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing plays a key role in the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches offer different sound profiles and visual characteristics. The polycarbonate top housing of the Bluish White creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while the nylon top housing of the Meteor White produces a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience and sound profile. The choice between these switches ultimately depends on the desired sound and aesthetic preferences of the user.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are notable differences. The Bluish White switch has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it relatively light in terms of force required for keystrokes. In contrast, the Meteor White switch's actuation force is unknown, but its bottom out force is 57 grams, which falls into the medium-light category.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the TTC Bluish White would be the suitable choice as it requires a lower force to trigger a keystroke and bottom out. This lighter actuation force can be advantageous for individuals who often type for extended periods, such as for work or during long gaming sessions.
On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. In this case, the SP-Star Meteor White switch's slightly higher bottom out force of 57 grams provides a stronger push feel, offering a more substantial typing experience.
While the actuation force for the Meteor White switch is not specified, it can be noted that both switches have different bottom out forces, with the Meteor White switch being heavier. Therefore, if a user desires a heavier switch, they can expect similar results to the Meteor White by bottoming out the TTC Bluish White switch, as it also requires a 50-gram force to fully depress.
In summary, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch is lighter, with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is slightly heavier, with an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 57 grams. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for typing feel and desired force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch is 3.5 mm, while the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Bluish White falls on the shorter side of the spectrum, making it a preferred choice for gamers who value faster response times. Its shorter travel distance allows for quicker key presses, which can be advantageous in gaming scenarios. On the other hand, the Meteor White provides a slightly deeper key travel, which might be more appealing to individuals who prefer a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming. Both options offer their own advantages, and the decision ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch is best known for providing a satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a snappy sound profile. It is described as having a low-pitched sound, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The feel of the Bluish White switch is described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It is also considered mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The switch is also described as stepped, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback, and subtle, with a gentle resistance and a suitable sound signature for shared spaces. Furthermore, the switch is polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is known for its subdued qualities, offering an easy-to-push and gentle typing experience with a pitter-patter sound profile. The sound of the Meteor White switch is described as neutral, with a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. It is also described as thocky, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound similar to a soft thud or knock when the key is pressed and released. Although the exact sound profile is highly dependent on factors such as the choice of board and keycaps, the Meteor White switch generally offers a gentle and pleasing sound. In terms of feel, the Meteor White is also considered mild and polished, providing a gentle and smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches offer soft sound profiles and gentle typing experiences. The Bluish White switch has a snappy and low-pitched sound profile, while the Meteor White switch has a pitter-patter sound profile that is neutral and thocky. Both switches offer a buttery and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. While some specific characteristics may differ, such as the stepped feel of the Bluish White switch, overall, both switches offer similar subjective qualities of soft sound and gentle feel, making them suitable for a wide range of users and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light tactile switch with a satisfyingly poppy typing experience and a snappy sound profile, the TTC Bluish White switch would be a great choice for you. With its bottom out force of 50 grams and descriptors like "buttery," "mild," "stepped," "subtle," and "polished," this switch offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, gentle typing feel, and reduced friction for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light linear switch with a subdued and gentle sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor White switch would be the better option. With its bottom out force of 57 grams, this switch is easy to push and offers a gentle, pitter-patter sound. Its descriptors of "neutral" and "thocky" indicate a moderate actuation force requirement and a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for tactile or linear switches, as well as the specific typing experience and sound profile you desire.