Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Grapefruit

Overview

Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Grapefruit, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, carefully designed with a light operating force of 45g, making it perfect for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With its gentle and comfortable feel, this switch provides a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. The use of rare ABS material in its housing further enhances the auditory experience. On the other hand, the Grapefruit is a linear switch that stands out with its soft and light typing feel. It delivers a unique sound profile, described as "baritone" and not yet "bass" deep. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and polished, the Grapefruit offers a different level of typing satisfaction. Both switches have their own appeal and advantages. However, let's dive deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

$3.41 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Grapefruit differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which, although commonly used in keycaps, is relatively rare for switch housings. Typing on switches with ABS top housing results in a low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Grapefruit's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, produces a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for integrating RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique auditory experiences.

The bottom housings of the Crystal Violet and the Grapefruit also vary in terms of their housing materials. The Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This choice contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Grapefruit incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, distinct from the Crystal Violet's ABS housing.

When considering the overall sound profile of the switches, it is important to recognize that the qualities brought by each housing material are split between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing mainly influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. In contrast, the top housing contributes more significantly to the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and the Grapefruit may differ in their housing materials, the resultant sound profiles can be similar or distinct based on the specific combination of top and bottom materials used.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force for both switches is the same, with both requiring 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of the initial response when typing on either switch. However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a slight variation. The Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Grapefruit has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This makes the Grapefruit switch slightly lighter in terms of the force required to fully press the key down.

Considering the weight of the switches, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This would make the Crystal Violet an ideal choice, as its actuation force and bottom out force are both relatively light. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer a switch with a heavier force. In this case, the Crystal Violet may still be a suitable option due to its higher bottom out force.

Overall, while both the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Grapefruit switches have similar actuation forces, the slight difference in bottom out force makes the Grapefruit switch slightly lighter in terms of the force required for full key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch have the same travel distance, both measuring at 4 mm. When pressing down on either switch, users will experience a consistent 4 mm distance that the switch travels from top to bottom. This similarity ensures that regardless of the switch chosen, users can expect similar results in terms of the distance they feel when typing or gaming.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, leaning towards the bass-heavy and mellow side. This means that they produce a more soothing and less intrusive auditory experience compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while both switches have similar sound profiles, the end result may vary based on these additional factors.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped. The term "creamy" indicates a smooth and buttery typing experience, possibly due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. This results in a sensation of effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. The "mild" characteristic means that the typing experience is gentle and approachable for most users, falling in a safe middle-ground zone. Lastly, the "stepped" attribute refers to tactile switches that provide a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Grapefruit switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that enhances the typing experience by reducing friction and providing smooth key travel.

Taking all the available information into account, both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch offer desirable qualities. In terms of sound, they both have a low-pitched profile, creating a mellow tone. In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switch offers a creamy, mild, and stepped experience, while the Grapefruit switch provides a polished typing experience. While each switch has its own unique characteristics, they both aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. It's important to consider these subjective qualities and match them with your personal preferences to determine which switch suits you best.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, consider your desired typing experience. If you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Crystal Violet would be the best choice for you. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch offers a pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with a polished finish, the Grapefruit switch would be more suitable. It also produces a deep and mellow sound profile. Both switches have a similar bottom out force of medium-light, making them suitable for most typing needs. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$3.41 per 10

Learn more