TTC Bluish White vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are delighted to present the TTC Bluish White and the Cherry MX Brown, two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer a tactile typing experience. The Bluish White switches are known for their satisfyingly poppy typing experience, providing a snappy sound profile. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Subtle', 'Polished', and 'Low-pitched', these switches deliver a unique combination of smoothness and precision. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Browns are recognized for their subtlety, offering a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. Categorized as 'Textured', 'Bassy', and 'Low-pitched', they provide a quieter typing experience compared to the Bluish Whites. However, with these generalities in mind, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond the surface details to help you determine the best switch for your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Cherry MX Brown switches differ in terms of their composition and the resulting sound profiles. The Bluish White features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which generates clear and resonant sounds. On the other hand, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption, creating a duller and rounder sound in comparison to polycarbonate. Despite their differences, both these switches allow for the use of RGB lighting due to the translucency of their respective top housings.
In terms of the bottom housings, both the Bluish White and the MX Brown switches employ nylon as the material. This choice of material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. Since nylon is a softer plastic compared to harder alternatives, it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This similarity in housing material ensures that users will experience a consistent sound profile when pressing down on the switches.
While the top and bottom housings differ in material for both the Bluish White and the MX Brown switches, they each have their unique impact on the sound and feel of the switches. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more apparent as it influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing plays a larger role in the sound produced when letting go of a key. Thus, although the specific materials used may vary, understanding the impact of the different housing components allows for a better comparison between the two switches.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch can be compared and contrasted. The TTC Bluish White switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the MX Brown's actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Bluish White switch requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Bluish White switch is also lighter at 50 grams compared to the MX Brown's bottom out force of 55 grams. This suggests that pressing all the way down on the Bluish White switch would require slightly less force than on the MX Brown switch. Overall, the TTC Bluish White switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Cherry MX Brown switch, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. However, it is important to note that both switches fall within the same range and would offer a similar result in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is evident that the MX Brown has a slightly longer distance. The Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, the MX Brown offers a slightly deeper key press experience. This can be advantageous for those who prefer a more substantial and satisfying keystroke. On the other hand, the Bluish White's shorter travel distance may be appealing to gamers or individuals seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding key depth and responsiveness.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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 TTC Bluish White tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone. This results in a more bass-heavy sound profile, giving a satisfyingly poppy typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch provides a deeper and richer sound profile, characterized by a lower frequency range resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Both switches have a similar low-pitched sound, but the Bluish White switch may offer a slightly more mellow tone. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch provides a buttery and mild typing experience. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke, resulting in a seamless and effortless feel. Additionally, the stepped nature of these switches provides some pre-travel and/or post-travel, adding to the mild tactile feedback. The Bluish White switch is also described as subtle, meaning it has a gentle resistance and is suitable for shared spaces. With its polished finish, the switch provides reduced friction and smooth key travel, ensuring a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture, while others might prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience.
In summary, the TTC Bluish White and Cherry MX Brown tactile switches offer different subjective qualities. The Bluish Whites provide a snappy and mellow sound profile with a buttery, mild, and polished feel. Their stepped nature adds some pre-travel and/or post-travel, resulting in a mild tactile feedback. On the other hand, the MX Browns offer a more subtle and bassy sound profile, with a textured feel that provides noticeable friction when pressed. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, but if you prefer a similar mild typing experience and a low-pitched sound, you can achieve similar results with either switch. However, it's important to consider personal preferences and the overall setup of the keyboard and keycaps to ensure the desired experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the TTC Bluish White tactile switch, it is a great choice if you desire a light bottom out force of 50 grams and a satisfyingly poppy typing experience. These switches offer a snappy sound profile that adds a level of excitement to your typing. Additionally, they are described as having a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel, providing a smooth and uniform typing sensation with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams and a more subtle typing experience, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a gentle tactility with subdued audio feedback, giving you a more subtle and refined typing experience. They are described as having a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding a deeper and richer tone to your key presses. In terms of feel, they are described as textured, meaning they have noticeable friction when pressed.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Bluish White and Cherry MX Brown switches comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a lighter and snappier typing experience with a smooth and polished feel, the Bluish White switches are a great fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier touch with a more subtle and refined typing experience, the MX Brown switches are the way to go. Consider your typing preferences and desired sound and feel profiles when making your decision.
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