HC Studio Crabapple vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a unique typing experience, the HC Studio Crabapple and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both stand out for their distinct characteristics. The Crabapple, a linear switch crafted entirely from POM, provides an effortlessly frictionless typing journey with a dry smoothness and subtle texture felt with each keystroke. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch from KTT features a smooth and creamy feel thanks to its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, delivering a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While the Crabapple is known for its mild and understated sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its buttery and resonant typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preferences and specific typing needs, so let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities to help you decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HC Studio Crabapple Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.90

$4.70 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the HC Studio Crabapple and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, it is evident that both switches offer unique sound profiles, albeit with different characteristics. The Crabapple's POM top housing provides a deep and relatively muted sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. These contrasting sound profiles cater to different preferences, with the Crabapple appealing to those who prefer a deeper sound, and the Vanilla Ice Cream appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced clackiness.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Crabapple's POM bottom housing mirrors the characteristics of its top housing, providing an equally pleasing and unique sound profile. In comparison, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing sets itself apart with its exceptional durability and smoothness. The POK material offers increased wear resistance and shock resistance, contributing to the smooth and clacky feel of the switches. While both bottom housings contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches, the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream ensures longevity and optimal performance.

Overall, while the housing materials of the HC Studio Crabapple and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream showcase distinct characteristics, they both contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The POM housing in the Crabapple provides a pleasing and deep sound profile, while the KTT blend in the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Additionally, the durability and smoothness of the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream's bottom housing set it apart in terms of longevity and performance. Despite their differences, both switches deliver quality performance and cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.

Weight

In comparing the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see that the Crabapple is lighter in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force. The Crabapple has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Both switches provide a light typing experience, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. However, if one prefers a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream may be the better option due to its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces.Overall, both switches offer a similar typing experience due to their relatively low actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The HC Studio Crabapple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their faster response times. The Crabapple offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a bit more depth in their key presses. However, for most users, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant enough to discern in actual use, so you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and response. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel you are looking for in your typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Crabapple linear switch is known for its subdued and mild sound signature, offering a dampened and understated typing experience. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch stands out with its high-pitched and clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp auditory feedback while typing. Depending on personal preference, the Crabapple switch offers a quieter and more subtle sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a more noticeable and resonant typing noise.

In terms of feel, the Crabapple linear switch boasts a frictionless and textured typing journey, offering an effortless and smooth keystroke with a subtle texture felt on each downstroke. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing typists with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that feels like gliding fingers effortlessly across the keys. The Crabapple switch focuses on a frictionless and mild typing sensation, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch emphasizes a buttery and creamy feel that enhances the overall typing experience.

Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the Crabapple and Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches, it is evident that they offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Crabapple excels in providing a subdued and frictionless typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its high-pitched and buttery feel. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience, ultimately providing users with a choice based on their preferred sound and feel preferences. Ultimately, whether you choose the Crabapple or Vanilla Ice Cream switch, you can expect a high-quality linear switch experience that meets your typing needs.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a slightly lighter touch, the Crabapple with a 45-gram bottom out force may be more suitable for you, whereas the Vanilla Ice Cream with a 48-gram bottom out force offers a slightly firmer typing experience. Additionally, if you value a quieter, more subdued sound profile with a frictionless typing feel, the Crabapple may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a high-pitched, clacky sound and a buttery, creamy typing sensation, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you desire.

Mentioned in this article

HC Studio Crabapple Linear

$5.90

$4.70 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more