TTC Bluish White vs. SP-Star Polaris Gray
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Polaris Gray. The Bluish White is a tactile switch that offers a satisfyingly poppy typing experience. With its buttery and subtle key press feel, it provides a low-pitched and polished sound profile. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray is a linear switch that provides a bouncy typing experience. Its clean and clacky sound profile, combined with a low-pitched and neutral feel, makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a different tactile experience. 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
67g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Polaris Gray switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, providing a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting.
However, the switches differ when it comes to their bottom housings. The Bluish White features a nylon bottom housing, while the Polaris Gray utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing, like the Bluish White, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Polaris Gray contributes to its sharper and crisper sound profile, similar to the polycarbonate top housing.
When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, making it a crucial factor in the overall typing experience. In contrast, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice of housing materials for both the top and bottom housings can greatly affect the overall sound and feel of the switch.
In conclusion, both the TTC Bluish White and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches utilize polycarbonate top housings, resulting in similar sound profiles characterized by sharpness and clarity. However, their bottom housings differ, with the Bluish White employing a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, while the Polaris Gray uses a polycarbonate bottom housing for a sharper and crisper sound. These variations demonstrate how different housing materials can affect the overall sound and feel of a switch, allowing users to choose based on their preferred typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Bluish White switch has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, meaning it requires a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, its bottom out force is also light at 50 grams, allowing for a smoother and less forceful typing experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch does not provide available information on its actuation force. However, it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy compared to the Bluish White switch. This means that the Polaris Gray switch offers a more substantial typing experience, requiring a stronger push to fully engage a keystroke. It is important to consider personal preferences when deciding between these switches. Those who prefer a lighter and more effortless typing experience may opt for the TTC Bluish White switch, while those seeking a more substantial feel and a heavier touch may gravitate towards the SP-Star Polaris Gray switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, it is clear that the Polaris Gray has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bluish White has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Polaris Gray falls within the traditional range of travel distances, offering a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the Bluish White provides a slightly shallower depth, which may be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences. If a more responsive feel is desired, the shorter travel distance of the Bluish White is the way to go. However, if a deeper and more satisfying key press is favored, the longer travel distance of the Polaris Gray is the better option. Both switches offer a unique tactile experience, but with slightly different travel distances.
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 Polaris Gray has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Gray 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Bluish White switch is known for its low-pitched profile, which means it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray switch also has a low-pitched sound profile, but it is further described as clean and clacky. Both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience, with the Polaris Gray switch also characterized as thocky, producing a deep and rich sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, while there are some subtle differences in sound characteristics, both switches provide enjoyable and pleasant typing sounds.
In terms of feel, the TTC Bluish White switch offers a range of qualities. It has been described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, it is considered mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The stepped characteristic of the Bluish White switch provides a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It is also described as subtle, offering a gentle resistance without being too feather-light. Furthermore, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the SP-Star Polaris Gray switch is also classified as mild, offering a gentle typing experience. It shares the polished characteristic, providing a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing sensation. In terms of feel, both switches offer a pleasing and comfortable typing experience, with mild characteristics and polished finishes being common between them.
Considering all the available information, both the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch have their unique qualities, but there are also similarities between them. In terms of sound, both switches have a low-pitched profile, with the Bluish White being described as snappy and the Polaris Gray as clean and clacky. Both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience, and while the Polaris Gray switch has the additional thocky characteristic, the overall sound experience is comparable. When it comes to feel, both switches are classified as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that will be approachable to most users. The polished finish in both switches also ensures smooth and refined key travel. Overall, both switches offer enjoyable typing experiences, with similar qualities in sound and feel. Whether you prefer a poppy tactile experience with the Bluish White or a bouncy linear feel with the Polaris Gray, you can expect satisfying results from either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you desire a satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a light bottom out force, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a snappy sound profile and provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They have a subtle, polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is a great choice. These switches have a clean and clacky sound profile, a mild feel that is approachable to most typists, and a polished finish for a sleek typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferred typing experience and sound profile, whether it be the poppy and buttery feel of the Bluish White or the bouncy and polished feel of the Polaris Gray.
Mentioned in this article
