KTT Cream Yellow vs. Gateron Glory Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Glory Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Glory Yellow present two appealing options for enthusiasts who prefer linear switches, yet cater to different user preferences. The Cream Yellow is celebrated for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy feel, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, making it an attractive choice for those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow offers a smoother keystroke with a satisfying travel distance, ideal for users seeking a more subdued and fluid typing experience. While both switches provide engaging tactile experiences, your choice may depend on whether you prioritize auditory feedback or a streamlined typing motion. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Cream Yellow and Gateron Glory Yellow switches present a distinct contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influences their auditory characteristics. The Cream Yellow's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This quality is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a pronounced auditory feedback from their switches, especially when it comes to the activation and releasing of keys. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow utilizes nylon for its top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This fundamental divergence means that while the Cream Yellow may appeal to users seeking a bright soundscape ideal for RGB lighting setups, the Glory Yellow caters to those who favor a more muted and rounded auditory experience.
Both switches share a commonality in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, which contributes significantly to the overall sound profile during key presses. Nylon is known for its sound-absorbing properties, which lead to a softer and less resonant sound, creating a potentially more pleasing typing experience for users who prioritize responsiveness over auditory sharpness. Since both the Cream Yellow and Glory Yellow utilize nylon for their bottom housings, they will likely deliver similar results in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel. This shared material offers a consistency in the tactile feedback felt during keystrokes, making both switches potentially comparable in the lower end of the sound spectrum.
Ultimately, the interplay between the different housing materials in the KTT Cream Yellow and Gateron Glory Yellow switches illustrates how sound profiles can be shaped by what materials are utilized in their construction. The Cream Yellow, with its polycarbonate top, offers a bright and clear auditory feedback emphasizing the sound of releasing keys, while the Glory Yellow’s nylon top produces a more subdued and full sound. However, with both switches using nylon for the bottom housing, users can expect a similar experience when it comes to the acoustic properties of key presses. This combination indicates that while the overall sound profiles may differ, the essential typing feel, particularly for the initial key presses, will have a consistent quality due to the shared material in their bottoms.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch, we find that both have the same actuation force of 50 grams, which provides a relatively light typing experience, ideal for those who prefer longer typing sessions without fatigue. However, the KTT Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 58 grams, indicating a slightly firmer feel when fully pressed down, making it suitable for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow's bottom out force is unspecified, leaving its overall feedback at full depression unknown. Based on the available data, we can conclude that while the Cream Yellow is notably heavier at bottoming out, both switches have the same light actuation force, allowing for similar feel when initiating a keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Cream Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Glory Yellow measures 4 mm. This makes the Cream Yellow the shorter option, offering a more responsive feel that is often preferred by gamers seeking quicker actuation. On the other hand, the Glory Yellow, with its longer travel distance, provides a more pronounced depth that some users may find more satisfying and less abrupt. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that facilitates faster response times, the KTT Cream Yellow would be the ideal choice, whereas the Gateron Glory Yellow would be better suited for those who appreciate a heftier press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
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 KTT Cream Yellow switch shines with its distinctively clacky tone. This sound profile offers a sharp and snappy auditory feedback that many users find appealing, characterized by a crisp, bright, and percussive resonance with every keystroke. The shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem enhance this quality, allowing for a more pronounced auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch does not have specific sound characteristics mentioned, which means it likely produces a more neutral or subdued sound compared to the Cream Yellow. Regardless, it's essential to remember that the overall sound is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycap material used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Cream Yellow excels with its bouncy response. The switch is designed to offer a spring-like feedback sensation, providing a lively and responsive typing experience that users often find exhilarating. The lengthened spring contributes to this bounciness, giving a delightful rebound effect when keys are pressed. On the contrary, the Gateron Glory Yellow's feel is less defined, suggesting that it may offer a smooth and pleasant typing experience, though without the dynamic liveliness of the Cream Yellow. The absence of detailed information about the Glory Yellow's feel leaves some ambiguity, making it harder to directly compare with the Cream Yellow.
In summary, the KTT Cream Yellow switch stands out with its clacky sound profile and bouncy feel, making it an engaging choice for those who enjoy lively auditory and tactile feedback. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow may provide a smoother keystroke experience, but its sound and feel qualities are less distinctly defined. If you're looking for pronounced auditory feedback and a lively typing experience, the Cream Yellow would likely be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more balanced and possibly smoother experience, the Glory Yellow could suit you well, though specifics remain unknown.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow and Gateron Glory Yellow linear switches largely depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel during typing. If you appreciate a distinctly clacky sound with a lively, bouncy feedback, the KTT Cream Yellow switch would be ideal for you. Its medium bottom-out force of 58 grams offers a satisfying balance between resistance and ease of actuation, making it great for both typing and gaming scenarios where auditory feedback enhances your experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother keystroke with a comfortable travel distance, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch may be the better option, especially if you’re looking for a more subtle typing experience without the pronounced clack. Its slightly heavier build lends itself to an enjoyable, controlled keystroke that is suitable for prolonged typing sessions without overwhelming your senses. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should reflect your desired tactile feedback and the overall auditory experience you seek in your mechanical keyboard.
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