United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

Aflion Carrot vs. KTT Purple Click

An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the KTT Purple Click switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Aflion Carrot and the KTT Purple Click. Both switches offer unique features and benefits, making them excellent choices for different preferences and typing styles. The Carrot is widely acclaimed for its tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring that provides a bouncy sensation. It also produces a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, adding to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Click switch is known for its satisfying, high-pitched click. While the keystrokes are light, they still provide a pronounced tactility without overwhelming the user. So, whether you prefer a bouncy tactile experience or a satisfying click, both switches have you covered. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

37g

Actuation force

40g

Bottom-out force

45g

Bottom-out force

55g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

No

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

20mm two-stage spring

Spring

18mm spring

Housing materials

The Aflion Carrot and the KTT Purple Click share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings. This material contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Polycarbonate's stiffness allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switch housings when RGB lighting is involved. Additionally, its translucency enhances the visual appeal of the switches. Consequently, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both the Carrot and the Purple Click.

On the other hand, the Carrot and the Purple Click differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Carrot utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the Carrot switch. In contrast, the Purple Click also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar auditory experience with its deeper and fuller sound profile. Both switches benefit from using nylon in their bottom housings, resulting in a distinctive typing sound.

When it comes to the overall impact on sound and feel during typing, the distinction between the top and bottom housing materials becomes important. The qualities brought by the bottom housing will influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, which is experienced when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, users of both the Carrot and the Purple Click can expect differences in the tactile and auditory experiences based on the combination of their top and bottom housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch, there are notable differences. The Carrot switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, meaning it requires less pressure to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Purple Click switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams. Both switches provide a light typing experience in terms of actuation force.

Moving on to the bottom out force, which measures the amount of force required to fully press the keys, the Carrot switch has a bottom out force of 45 grams. This indicates that it needs a bit more pressure when fully pressing down. On the other hand, the Purple Click switch has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches, like the Aflion Carrot, as it enables them to comfortably type for extended periods, making it suitable for work or long gaming sessions. However, others prefer a stronger push feel for a more satisfying typing experience and may opt for switches with heavier forces, such as the KTT Purple Click.

While the actuation and bottom out forces may differ between the Carrot and Purple Click switches, users can still achieve similar results through their respective light and medium-light typing experiences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key fitted with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Both switches offer a consistent and comfortable typing experience in terms of travel distance. Therefore, whether you choose the Aflion Carrot or the KTT Purple Click, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from top to bottom.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.

The KTT Purple Click has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Click for $2.55.

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 Aflion Carrot switch is known for its clacky and mid-pitched sound profile. This means that when pressed, the Carrot switch produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Click switch offers a satisfyingly high-pitched click. It produces a sound that is similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles, with the Carrot having a slightly lower pitch compared to the Purple Click.

In terms of feel, the Aflion Carrot switch is described as bouncy, snappy, and stepped. This means that it provides a unique tactile experience with its lively and spring-like feedback. The longer, two-stage spring in the Carrot switch gives it a bouncy feel and allows for a more responsive typing experience. Additionally, the Carrot switch has a subtle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces as it won't produce a resonant sound. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Click switch is described as invigorating and stepped. It offers a pronounced feedback and a reactive feel, creating an immersive typing sensation. Similar to the Carrot, the Purple Click switch also has a stepped tactile feel, allowing for pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.

Based on the available information, the Aflion Carrot and KTT Purple Click switches have different subjective qualities. The Carrot switch is known for its bouncy and snappy feel, and mid-pitched, firm sound profile. On the other hand, the Purple Click switch offers an invigorating and stepped feel, and a fairly high-pitched, satisfying click sound. These qualities provide a distinct typing experience for users. However, if you're looking for a similar experience with either switch, you can expect to get a satisfactory tactile and auditory feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the Carrot and Purple Click depends on personal preference in terms of sound pitch and key feel.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a fun and bouncy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, then the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is the way to go. With its light bottom out force of 45 grams, you'll have a comfortable typing experience, especially during extended gaming, school, or work sessions. The Carrot switch is also described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched in terms of sound, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a satisfying high-pitched click and light keystrokes that offer pronounced tactility without being overwhelming, then the KTT Purple Click clicky switch is the better choice. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 55 grams, you'll still enjoy a moderate to firm actuation force that creates an invigorating and reactive feel while typing. The Purple Click switch is described as crunchy and resonant in terms of sound, adding an immersive auditory experience to your typing sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Carrot and KTT Purple Click switches depends on your preferred tactile and auditory sensations.

Mentioned in this article