KTT Cabbage Tofu vs. Huano Sakura

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Cabbage Tofu and Huano Sakura offer distinctive experiences that cater to different preferences and typing styles, despite both being linear switches. The Cabbage Tofu is celebrated for its improved tactility and responsiveness, featuring a lengthened 22mm spring that provides a swift rebound after actuation. This characteristic allows typists to experience a faster transition between keystrokes, producing a sound profile reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding—making it an exciting choice for those who enjoy a clackier and more dynamic feedback. In contrast, the Huano Sakura offers a feather-light touch that excels in comfort during prolonged typing sessions, thanks to its medium acoustics that create a more subdued sound environment. While the Cabbage Tofu caters to users seeking a more pronounced auditory and tactile feedback, the Sakura is ideal for those wanting a smoother and quieter 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

KTT Cabbage Tofu Linear

Huano Sakura Linear

$3.25

$2.75 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Cabbage Tofu and Huano Sakura switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, contributing to distinct auditory profiles and overall characteristics. The Cabbage Tofu uses polycarbonate for its top housing, renowned for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances resonance and clarity, making it particularly well-suited for RGB lighting applications with its translucence. In contrast, the Huano Sakura utilizes POK (polyketone), which boasts a high level of smoothness due to its low coefficient of friction, while also providing exceptional durability and wear resistance. The POK material's sound profile leans towards a "clacky" feel, which contrasts with the crispness associated with polycarbonate. Despite their differences, both materials contribute to a distinct auditory experience, showing how the choice of top housing can significantly shape the switch's performance.

However, both switches share a common material for their bottom housing: nylon. This material offers a classic and well-regarded sound profile, characterized by deeper and fuller tones attributable to its softer plastic composition. When typing on switches that utilize nylon, both the KTT Cabbage Tofu and Huano Sakura will deliver a rounded auditory experience, as the nylon effectively absorbs sound waves rather than reflecting them. This shared quality highlights the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the tactile feel and auditory impact when bottoming out the keys. The consistent use of nylon in both switches enables users to expect a certain unified experience in terms of sound depth and fullness, regardless of the differing top materials.

Ultimately, the combination of materials in each switch creates a unique balance between sound and feel. While the Cabbage Tofu's polycarbonate top lends a bright and resonant character to the switch, the Huano Sakura's POK top achieves smoothness and durability that enhances the user experience in a different manner. When pressed, both switches leverage the properties of their nylon bottoms to mitigate noise and provide a satisfying typing experience. This interplay of distinct top housing materials with a shared bottom housing underscores how the overall performance of a switch can be a harmonious blend of contrasting characteristics, making each an appealing choice based on user preference.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces that cater to varied user preferences. The Cabbage Tofu features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, classifying it as medium-light, making it a suitable choice for those who desire a balance between tactility and ease of use. In contrast, the Sakura offers a lighter experience with an actuation force of only 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, appealing to users who favor a gentler touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. As such, the Sakura is the lighter option, while the Cabbage Tofu is the heavier switch. This difference could lead to a more substantial feel for the Cabbage Tofu, which some may prefer for a more tactile typing experience, while the lighter Sakura provides easier keystrokes that may lead to less fatigue over time. Overall, these differences highlight the balance between user comfort and typing experience based on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch offers a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Huano Sakura linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Cabbage Tofu provides a more substantial feel with its longer travel distance, appealing to users who prefer a deeper pressing sensation, which can enhance typing feedback. On the other hand, the Sakura's 3.6 mm travel distance may suit gamers or those who favor quicker response times, as shorter distances often allow for faster actuation and reduced finger fatigue during extended use. Therefore, if you desire a more pronounced depth in your keystrokes, the KTT Cabbage Tofu is the better choice, whereas the Huano Sakura delivers a more responsive experience due to its shorter travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, the distinctions are quite notable. The Cabbage Tofu produces a sound that can be characterized as clacky and high-pitched, evoking the sharp, percussive noise reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding—something that appeals to users who enjoy a crisp auditory feedback during typing. In contrast, the Sakura switches offer medium acoustics that provide a more subdued auditory experience, catering to those who prefer a lighter touch without overwhelming sound. The specific resonance might vary based on personal setup choices, such as the keyboard build and keycap selection, but overall, the Cabbage Tofu offers a more vivid sound profile compared to the milder and more accommodating sound of the Sakura.

In terms of feel, the KTT Cabbage Tofu switch excels with its creamy, polished, silky, and snappy characteristics. This combination allows for a smooth and tactile typing experience, where users will notice reduced friction and an enjoyable glide across the keys. The enhanced responsiveness and quick rebound from the longer spring make it an engaging switch for typists. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information available regarding the feel of the Huano Sakura switch, leaving its tactile response uncharted. This lack of data may leave some typists curious about how the Sakura might compete in the tactile landscape, but it’s safe to assume that both switches target different preferences based on their attributes.

In conclusion, while the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch showcases a lively and engaging auditory profile along with a richly smooth tactile experience, the Huano Sakura linear switch provides a more understated sound and lacks detailed feel descriptors. If you are looking for a dynamic experience with crisp sounds and buttery smooth keystrokes, the Cabbage Tofu stands out as an excellent choice. If your priorities lie in a more laid-back auditory experience, the Sakura may suit your needs, although the specifics on its feel remain uncertain. Ultimately, both switches will yield different experiences, allowing users to choose based on their typing preferences and desired acoustic environment.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences, typing style, and intended usage. If you seek a responsive and tactile typing experience, the KTT Cabbage Tofu switch may be the better fit for you, particularly if you enjoy the clacky sound profile reminiscent of Mahjong tiles. With its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams and a creamy, silky feel, this switch allows for swift rebound and smooth transitions between keystrokes, making it suitable for both typing and gaming alike. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter touch and plan on using your keyboard for extended typing sessions, the Huano Sakura switch, with its feather-light bottom out force of 45 grams, offers a comfortable experience that minimizes fatigue. Additionally, the Sakura’s medium acoustics and focus on simplicity without excessive sound or tactile feedback make it ideal for quieter environments. Therefore, reflecting carefully on how you use your keyboard will guide your decision—whether you want a more dynamic and lively typing experience with the Cabbage Tofu or a gentle and effortless glide with the Huano Sakura.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Cabbage Tofu Linear

$3.25

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

Huano Sakura Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more