HMX Cheese vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Cheese and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches are two enticing options to consider. The HMX Cheese switch is lauded for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, offering a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that sets it apart from others. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its ingenious use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, providing typists with a remarkably smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its dessert namesake. While the HMX Cheese switch boasts being lighter than 90% of all switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets it apart. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Cheese Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.50

$3.79 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Cheese and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both utilize unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Cheese's nylon top housing allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both housing materials aim to enhance the typing experience, they provide different auditory feedback to the user.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the HMX Cheese and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream again showcase distinct characteristics. The Cheese's nylon bottom housing, like its top housing, promotes a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound and creating a dull and round sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing stands out for its exceptional durability and smooth texture. With wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM and shock resistance surpassing Nylon, the POK material contributes to smooth, clacky, and durable switches, offering a different tactile experience from the Cheese.

In instances where the top and bottom housings of a switch differ, each housing material plays a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released. While the HMX Cheese and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream may feature different housing materials for their top and bottom components, both switches aim to provide users with a unique and satisfying typing experience through the distinct characteristics of their housing materials.

Weight

The HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both have a similar actuation force of 43 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cheese has a slightly lighter force of 46 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 48 grams. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cheese may be the better option, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Vanilla Ice Cream may provide a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a bit more resistance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and desired level of force.

Travel distance

The HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from top to bottom. Both switches offer a consistent experience in terms of travel distance, making them equally suitable for users who prioritize this feature. With a travel distance of 3.5 mm, both the Cheese and Vanilla Ice Cream switches are suitable for those who prefer a moderate amount of key travel in their mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, whether you choose the Cheese or Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Cheese linear switch offers a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound profile. The Cheese switches are lighter than 90% of all switches, providing a unique auditory experience with unparalleled smoothness. On the other hand, the innovative use of POK in the Vanilla Ice Cream switches contributes to a smooth and creamy sound that stands out in the market. Depending on your preference for sound characteristics, you can choose between the sharp and crisp sound of the Cheese or the high-pitched and clacky sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Cheese switches are known for their smoothness and pristine typing experience, but specific details about their tactile sensation are unknown. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer a buttery and creamy typing experience, thanks to the use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing. Typists can expect a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation from the Vanilla Ice Cream switches, providing a silky experience that effortlessly melts into each keystroke. Whether you prefer the smooth and fluid keystroke of the Cheese or the buttery and creamy sensation of the Vanilla Ice Cream, both switches offer a unique feel that enhances the typing experience.

In conclusion, both the HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinctive sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cheese switches feature a clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature with unparalleled smoothness, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switches provide a high-pitched and clacky sound profile with a buttery and creamy typing experience. Depending on whether you prioritize sound or feel in your mechanical keyboard switches, you can choose between the unique qualities of the Cheese or the Vanilla Ice Cream to enhance your typing experience.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a lighter switch with a distinctive clacky and crispy sound profile, as well as a smooth typing experience, the HMX Cheese switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a creamy and buttery feel, along with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for sound and feel when typing on a mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Cheese Linear

$5.50

$3.79 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more