KTT Cream Yellow vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and HMX Swift both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow is celebrated for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem. On the other hand, the Swift stands out for its deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, attributed to its full nylon housings and delicate 42g actuation force. While the Cream Yellow is categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky', the Swift boasts a range of categorizations including 'Easy-to-press' and 'Creamy'. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the HMX Swift, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of these switches creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. However, while both switches have similar bottom housing materials, their top housing materials differ, with the Cream Yellow featuring a polycarbonate top housing and the Swift having a nylon top housing.
The polycarbonate top housing of the Cream Yellow provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the nylon top housing of the Swift. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Cream Yellow allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the aesthetics of the switch. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Swift gives a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a different typing experience for users compared to the Cream Yellow.
When considering the overall sound and feel of the switches, the housing materials play a significant role in shaping the user experience. With the Cream Yellow having a mix of polycarbonate and nylon for its housing materials, users can expect a combination of sharp, clear sounds from the top housing and deep, fuller sounds from the bottom housing. In comparison, the Swift's uniform use of nylon for both top and bottom housing results in a more consistent and rounded sound profile throughout typing. Ultimately, while both switches offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials, the choice between the Cream Yellow and the Swift comes down to personal preference in sound and typing experience.
Weight
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the HMX Swift linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 58 grams of force while the Swift only needs 50 grams. This means that the Cream Yellow switch offers a more medium typing experience in both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Swift switch provides a lighter typing feel overall. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Swift switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the slightly heavier forces of the Cream Yellow switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences.
Travel distance
The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the HMX Swift linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, the Cream Yellow offers a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Cream Yellow for its faster response time, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Swift. Overall, both switches provide a relatively quick and responsive typing experience, with the main difference lying in the subtle variation in travel distance.
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 HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
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
In terms of sound, both the Cream Yellow and Swift switches are described as producing a "clacky" sound, characterized by a sharp and snappy noise when pressed. The Cream Yellow achieves this through its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, resulting in a resonant audio feedback. On the other hand, the Swift stands out with a deeper sound profile due to its full nylon housings, offering a silky smoothness that complements its delicate 42g actuation force. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience, with the Cream Yellow providing a crisper tone and the Swift delivering a smoother sound.
When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow switch is known for its bouncy typing sensation, offering a spring-like and elastic feedback that gives the keys a lively feel with rebound when pressed. In contrast, the Swift switch is described as easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate and providing a low-impact typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. The Swift also offers a feathery feel, with exceptionally light key presses that make it comfortable for long typing sessions. While the Cream Yellow excels in providing a bouncy and lively typing experience, the Swift focuses on effortless key presses and comfortable usage over extended periods.
In conclusion, both the Cream Yellow and Swift switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Cream Yellow provides a distinctively clacky sound and a bouncy typing sensation, the Swift switch stands out with its deeper sound profile, silky smoothness, and easy-to-press feel. Depending on the user's preference for sound and typing experience, either switch can be a suitable choice for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience. Ultimately, both switches offer quality performance and can deliver a similar level of satisfaction based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a distinctively clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, the Cream Yellow switch would be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and appreciate a deeper sound profile with a silky smooth typing experience, the HMX Swift switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and which features align best with your typing style.
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