TTC Bluish White vs. Kailh Sage

Overview

We are pleased to offer the TTC Bluish White and the Kailh Sage, two distinct mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics. The Bluish White is a tactile switch that provides a satisfyingly poppy typing experience. When typing on these switches, users can enjoy a snappy sound profile. The Bluish White switch is categorized as having a 'buttery', 'mild', 'stepped', 'subtle', 'polished', and 'low-pitched' feel. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage is a clicky switch that offers a distinct clicky typing experience. Users will appreciate the heavy weight and refreshingly sharp clickiness that the Sage switch provides. The Sage switch is categorized as 'invigorating', 'sharp', and 'crunchy'. Both switches have their advantages, 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

Kailh Sage Clicky

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

$6.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Kailh Sage switches share many similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enables a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those who prioritize sound quality in their mechanical keyboards. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for users who want to incorporate RGB lighting into their setups. Therefore, whether you opt for the TTC Bluish White or the Kailh Sage, you can expect similar results when it comes to the sound and aesthetic aspects of the switches.

When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon. Nylon is a popular choice for switch housing material due to its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Compared to harder plastics, the relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This characteristic makes typing on switches with nylon bottom housing a preferred choice for individuals who enjoy a more immersive and satisfying typing experience. Both the TTC Bluish White and the Kailh Sage provide this feature, ensuring that users can enjoy a deep and resonant sound while typing.

It's important to note that when the top and bottom housings differ for a switch, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom. When pressing down on either the TTC Bluish White or the Kailh Sage, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent, affecting the sound and feel upon bottoming out. Conversely, the top housing exerts more influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect subtle variations in the typing experience between the two switches, with the bottom housing having a more noticeable impact on the overall feel and sound during keystrokes.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, we can see some distinct differences. The TTC Bluish White has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, meaning that it requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Kailh Sage is currently unknown, so it is difficult to compare directly. However, the bottom out force of the Bluish White is 50 grams, which indicates that it requires a slightly heavier press to fully depress the key. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a more medium-heavy option.

Considering weight is important for various reasons when it comes to switches. Some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for those who use their keyboards extensively for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, some users prefer a stronger push feel to provide a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, options with heavier actuation forces would be more suitable.

Although the specific actuation force for the Kailh Sage is not provided, the bottom out force is significantly heavier than that of the TTC Bluish White. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Sage likely has a higher actuation force as well. Overall, if one desires a lighter touch and a more effortless typing experience, the TTC Bluish White would be the preferable choice. On the other hand, if a more substantial and tactile typing experience is desired, the Kailh Sage with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces would be the better option.

Travel distance

The TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch have slightly different travel distances. The Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sage has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become more popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you value responsiveness in your key presses, the slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm in the Bluish White switch may be more suitable for you. However, it's important to note that some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt. If you prefer a deeper key press, the Sage switch with its slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm might be a better option for you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preference and desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TTC Bluish White switch is best known for its low-pitched profile. This means that it produces a deeper and more bass-heavy tone, resulting in a mellow and satisfying sound while typing. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch is described as crunchy, which is a characteristic commonly associated with clicky switches. This means that the Sage switch produces a sound similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. It has a refreshingly sharp clickiness that adds to the overall typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. So, depending on these additional variables, the sound produced by both switches may vary slightly, but they will still deliver similarly satisfying results.

Moving on to the feel, the TTC Bluish White switch offers a range of descriptors to describe its tactile feel. It is described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This means that the switch provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation. It is also characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. The Bluish White switch is considered stepped, meaning it has two stages during the keystroke. It provides a mild tactile bump with some pre-travel and/or post-travel that adds to the typing experience. Furthermore, the switch is subtle, offering a gentle resistance and light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, it is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and ensures smoother key travel.

In contrast, the Kailh Sage switch is described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive typing sensation. Additionally, the Sage switch is characterized as having a sharp tactile bump, providing high feedback intensity that can be distinctly felt with each keypress.

Considering all the available information, the TTC Bluish White and Kailh Sage switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bluish White switch provides a low-pitched sound profile that is mellow and bass-heavy, while the Sage switch offers a crunchy and refreshingly sharp clickiness. In terms of feel, the Bluish White switch focuses on delivering a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience, emphasizing smoothness, gentleness, and refined finish. On the other hand, the Sage switch prioritizes an invigorating and immersive typing sensation with pronounced feedback, firm actuation force, and a sharp tactile bump. It is important to consider personal preferences and the specific typing experience desired when choosing between these switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for 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 a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel. They provide a smooth and seamless typing sensation, making them approachable to most users. On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is the one for you. The Sage switches have a refreshingly sharp clickiness and an invigorating, sharp feel, offering pronounced feedback and a reactive typing sensation. Additionally, they produce a crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for typing experience and sound.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Bluish White Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Sage Clicky

$6.25 per 10

Learn more