KTT Cabbage Tofu vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Jwick Taro, two unique mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics. The Cabbage Tofu, a linear switch, is best known for its improved tactility and responsiveness. With its lengthened 22mm spring, typists will experience a swift rebound after actuation, allowing for a quicker transition between keystrokes. When using the Cabbage Tofu switches, the sound profile resembles the satisfying collision of Mahjong tiles. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro, a tactile switch, offers a cozy typing experience with its comfy subdued color scheme. The Taro switches provide a snappy, medium level of tactility, accompanied by acute and crisp clacks. Categorized as clacky, creamy, high-pitched, polished, silky, and snappy, the Cabbage Tofu switch offers a variety of characteristics that may be appealing to different typists. In contrast, the Taro switch, categorized as neutral, buttery, and stepped, provides a distinct feel and sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Jwick Taro both share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice provides both switches with a similar sound profile, characterized by sharpness, higher-pitched tones, and crispness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the utilization of RGB lighting, making it an ideal choice for those who want to enhance their keyboard aesthetics with colorful lighting effects.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Cabbage Tofu and the Taro differ in their material selection. The Cabbage Tofu features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use this material. On the other hand, the Taro also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a similar experience of typing with a deeper and fuller sound.
It's important to note that the distinctions in the top and bottom housings of a switch affect the overall sound and feel when in use. The properties of the bottom housing have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Both the Cabbage Tofu and the Taro take advantage of this by utilizing different materials for the top and bottom housings, allowing for a balanced and dynamic typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Cabbage Tofu has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch to trigger keystrokes. In comparison, the actuation force of the Taro is unknown, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the Cabbage Tofu's bottom out force is 53 grams, indicating a slightly heavier feel when pressing all the way down. In contrast, the Taro has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category.
Considering weight is an important factor, as some individuals prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force of the Cabbage Tofu may be more suitable for those seeking prolonged use without fatigue. On the other hand, individuals desiring a more substantial typing experience often opt for switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Taro's higher bottom out force may be more appealing.
It is important to note that although the actuation force for the Taro is unavailable, the heavier bottom out force suggests that it may require a comparable amount of force to initiate keystrokes. Therefore, individuals seeking a similar typing experience to the Cabbage Tofu's medium-light touch might find the Taro's medium-heavy bottom out force to be a viable alternative.
Overall, the Cabbage Tofu can be considered the lighter option with its known actuation and bottom out forces, while the Taro offers a heavier typing experience with its higher bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Cabbage Tofu has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Taro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Cabbage Tofu being slightly longer. Gamers, who prioritize faster response times, may lean towards the Taro's shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Cabbage Tofu and its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for responsiveness or a deeper keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cabbage Tofu has an MSRP of $3.25 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cabbage Tofu for $2.75.
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 sound profile of the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch can be described as clacky and high-pitched. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp, snappy sound that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro tactile switch has a more neutral sound profile. It produces a moderate-level sound that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch offers a creamy, polished, silky, and snappy typing experience. These switches have been designed to provide a smooth and buttery typing sensation, as if gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The polished finish and potential lubrication further reduce friction and ensure a sleek and refined typing experience. Additionally, these switches are super responsive, thanks to the lengthened 22mm spring, which enhances the overall typing feel.
The Jwick Taro tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a buttery and stepped typing experience. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, giving you a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The stepped tactile feel of these switches means that there are two stages to the keystroke: you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, making it milder compared to switches with a continuous bump.
In conclusion, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cabbage Tofu switch provides a clacky, high-pitched sound profile and a creamy, polished, silky, and snappy typing experience. On the other hand, the Taro switch has a neutral sound profile and offers a buttery and stepped typing experience. Depending on your personal preferences and typing style, you can choose between these two switches to achieve the desired sound and feel for your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences and typing style. If you value improved tactility and responsiveness, as well as a swift rebound after actuation, the Cabbage Tofu switch is the way to go. Its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams provides a comfortable typing experience, while the clacky and high-pitched sound profile adds a sharp and crisp sound to your keystrokes. Additionally, the creamy, polished, silky, and snappy feel of the Cabbage Tofu switch further enhances the smoothness and responsiveness of each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a cozy typing experience with a medium level of tactility and acute, crisp clacks, the Taro switch is a great choice. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams, it offers a comfortable typing experience suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The neutral sound profile provides a moderate sound, making it suitable for various environments. The buttery feel of the Taro switch ensures a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, while the stepped tactile feel adds a gentle bump throughout the keystroke. Taking all these factors into consideration, you can make an informed decision based on your personal preferences and typing needs.
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