KTT Cream Yellow vs. Gateron Luciola

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Luciola offer their own unique features and benefits. The Cream Yellow is known for its distinctively clacky sound, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, which provides resonant audio feedback. Additionally, its lengthened spring contributes to a uniquely bouncy typing feel. On the other hand, the Luciola switches catch the eye with their glowing feature in the dark. These switches offer a medium heft, providing a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Their hollow sound profile resembles that of a can of spray paint being shaken. While the Cream Yellow is categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky', the Luciola is known for being 'Snappy', 'Chirpy', 'Marbly', 'Buttery', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

Gateron Luciola Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Luciola switches have some notable differences. The Cream Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. While both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, the Cream Yellow's polycarbonate is known for its translucency, making it a better choice for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. In contrast, the Luciola's INK blend offers a unique and satisfying sound that many enthusiasts appreciate for its distinct clacky feel.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Cream Yellow employs a nylon material, which is considered a classic choice. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Luciola also utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend in its bottom housing. While the specific sound characteristics are not explicitly mentioned, it is safe to assume that the INK blend's pointed and high-pitched features would contribute to the overall sound experience of the Luciola switch.

It's important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in the overall sound and feel. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while the specific housing materials differ between the Cream Yellow and the Luciola switches, both switches provide unique and satisfying sound profiles due to their respective top and bottom housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are a few similarities and differences to note. Firstly, both switches have a medium actuation force, meaning they require a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke. The Cream Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Luciola has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams. Despite this difference, both switches fall within the medium range, so users can expect similar results in terms of the force required to initiate a keystroke.

Moving on to the bottom out force, which measures the force required to fully press a key, the Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Luciola has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This indicates that the Luciola switch may provide a slightly more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. However, it's worth considering that both switches still fall within the medium range, so the difference may not be too significant.

In terms of weight, it's important to note that the weight of a switch can affect typing comfort and endurance. Some users prefer lighter switches as they allow for longer typing sessions without fatigue, making them ideal for work or gaming purposes. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Cream Yellow can be considered the lighter option with its lower actuation and bottom out forces, while the Luciola can be seen as the heavier option with its slightly higher forces.

Overall, while there are slight differences in the actuation and bottom out forces between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, both switches fall within the medium range. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of actuation force, bottom out force, and typing experience. The choice between the two will mainly come down to personal preference for a slightly lighter or heavier typing feel.

Travel distance

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Cream Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Luciola has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. While these may seem like small differences, they can have an impact on the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch.

For those who prefer a faster response time, the Cream Yellow with its shorter travel distance may be a better option. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker key presses, making it popular among gamers who require fast reaction times. On the other hand, the Luciola's slightly longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial and satisfying keystroke. The longer travel distance can provide a deeper and more pronounced feel when pressing down on the keys.

Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing or gaming experience. If you prioritize speed and responsiveness, the Cream Yellow with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more substantial and satisfying keystroke, the Luciola with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable. Either way, both switches offer a reliable and enjoyable typing experience, albeit with slight variations in feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the KTT Cream Yellow and Gateron Luciola switches have a clacky profile. They both produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. However, the Luciola switches also have additional qualities such as being chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. These unique acoustic signatures set the Luciola switches apart from the Cream Yellow. The sound of a switch, though, is also impacted by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switches are bouncy, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. They have a lively feel and give a rebound when pressed. On the other hand, the Luciola switches are described as snappy, meaning they are super responsive. This responsiveness is often due to longer or dual-staged springs, which make the typing experience feel more alive. The Luciola switches are also described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, they have a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

In conclusion, while both the Cream Yellow and Luciola switches have their own unique sound and feel characteristics, they share some similarities. Both switches have a clacky sound profile, and both offer a bouncy or spring-like typing feel. However, the Luciola switches have additional qualities such as being chirpy, marbly, high-pitched, snappy, buttery, and polished. If you are looking for a switch with a clacky sound and a bouncy typing feel, either switch could provide similar results. It ultimately depends on the specific qualities you are seeking in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Conclusion

In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Cream Yellow or the Gateron Luciola, it ultimately depends on your preferences for sound and feel. If you prioritize a distinctively clacky sound with resonant audio feedback, the Cream Yellow would be a great choice for you. Its shortened bottom-out distance, long-pole stem, and bouncy typing feel contribute to this unique sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer switches that glow in the dark and have a medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, then the Luciola would be more suitable for your needs. Both switches have a medium bottom out force of 58 and 60 grams respectively, so the decision ultimately comes down to the desired sound and feel experience.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more