KTT Cream Yellow vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer unique experiences are the KTT Cream Yellow and the KTT Strawberry. The Cream Yellow switch is widely recognized for its distinctively clacky sound, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem that provide resonant audio feedback. Additionally, the Cream Yellow switch offers a uniquely bouncy typing feel, enhanced by its lengthened spring. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch stands out with its attractive pink and clear housings. Beloved for their smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance, these delectable Strawberries offer a low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. Both switches certainly have their own merits, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The KTT Cream Yellow and KTT Strawberry both have polycarbonate top housings, which means they share the same qualities in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, whether you choose the Cream Yellow or Strawberry, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual appeal.
However, the difference lies in their bottom housings. The Cream Yellow features a nylon bottom housing, while the Strawberry has a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. It is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Strawberry contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, similar to its top housing.
When using a switch with different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will mainly highlight the qualities of the bottom housing, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have more influence on the sound when you release a key.
In summary, both the KTT Cream Yellow and KTT Strawberry offer the benefits of a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, as well as enhanced aesthetics with the use of RGB lighting. The main difference lies in the bottom housing materials, with the Cream Yellow featuring nylon for a deeper and fuller sound, while the Strawberry utilizes polycarbonate, contributing to a sharper sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, we can observe several similarities and differences. First, in terms of actuation force, the Cream Yellow requires 50 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Strawberry requires 43 grams, making it slightly lighter. Both switches fall into the medium force range, providing a balanced typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 58 grams to fully press down, whereas the Strawberry has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams. This indicates that the Strawberry switch has a slightly heavier feel when bottoming out.
Weight is an important factor to consider, as it can affect typing comfort and endurance. If someone prefers a lighter switch for extended typing sessions or gaming, they may opt for the Strawberry switch due to its lower actuation force. On the other hand, those who desire a more substantial typing experience might prefer the Cream Yellow switch, which has a higher bottom out force.
In summary, the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow and Strawberry switches differ slightly. The Strawberry switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Cream Yellow switch has a heavier bottom out force. However, both switches fall within the medium range, offering comparable results in terms of force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cream Yellow offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Strawberry switch. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, particularly among gamers who seek faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, choosing the Cream Yellow switch with its 3.5 mm travel distance would be ideal. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, preferring a deeper feel. For those who prefer a more substantial depth, the Strawberry switch with its 4 mm travel distance would be a better option. Both switches offer different experiences, catering to the preferences of different users.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 per 10 switches.
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
The KTT Cream Yellow switch is known for its distinctively clacky sound. When pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. The shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem of the Cream Yellow contribute to its resonant audio feedback. Additionally, the lengthened spring in this switch provides a uniquely bouncy typing feel, giving the keys a lively and rebounding sensation.
On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switch offers a different sound experience. It is described as low-pitched, which means it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The exact sound you will get from the Strawberry switch may also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you use.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cream Yellow offers a bouncy typing experience. With its spring-like or elastic feedback, the keys have a lively feel and provide rebound when pressed. This bounciness adds an extra level of tactile feedback and can enhance typing speed and accuracy.
In contrast, the Strawberry switch is known for its frictionless typing experience. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This switch is described as silky, buttery, and polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness enhances the overall typing feel and minimizes any resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Considering all the available information, the Cream Yellow and Strawberry switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Cream Yellow provides a clacky sound and a bouncy typing feel, while the Strawberry offers a low-pitched sound and a frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. Although the two switches have different characteristics, both can provide satisfying typing experiences depending on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the KTT Cream Yellow and KTT Strawberry switches, there are important factors to take into account. If you prioritize a distinctively clacky sound with crisp and bright feedback, the Cream Yellow is the way to go. Its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem contribute to its resonant audio feedback and unique typing feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched switch that offers a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance, the Strawberry switch is the better choice. Its frictionless and silky feel, along with a buttery and polished finish, provides a comfortable and enjoyable typing sensation. Ultimately, the decision between the Cream Yellow and Strawberry switches depends on your preference for sound and feel. Happy typing!
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