KTT Darling vs. Outemu Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling, a linear switch, offers a typing experience that is characterized by its chewy and substantial feel, along with a pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. The high-pitched, resonant sound produced upon bottoming out further enhances the tactile and auditory feedback, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more engaging typing sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow is a tactile switch with no specific standout features mentioned. While the Cream Yellow may lack the distinct characteristics of the Darling, it still provides a solid tactile feedback that some users prefer. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Outemu Cream Yellow, we can see that they both use nylon for their bottom housing. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic properties that absorb more sound. The use of nylon in the bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, which can provide a more satisfying typing experience for some users. Despite this similarity, the top housings of the switches differ, with the Darling featuring a polycarbonate top housing while the Cream Yellow has a nylon top housing.
The use of polycarbonate in the Darling's top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, which can be attributed to polycarbonate's relatively stiffer properties that lead to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant lighting effects to shine through. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's softer properties that absorb more sound. This difference in top housing materials can result in a noticeable variance in sound and typing experience between the two switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Outemu Cream Yellow play a significant role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While they both share a nylon bottom housing that provides a deeper and fuller sound, the use of polycarbonate in the Darling's top housing results in a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Cream Yellow's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. These differences highlight how the choice of housing material can impact the overall feel and sound of a switch, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it becomes clear that the actuation force is the same at 45 grams for both switches. However, the bottom out force of the Darling is lighter at 53 grams, while the Cream Yellow is heavier at 60 grams. This means that the Cream Yellow switch provides a more substantial typing experience due to the higher bottom out force, whereas the Darling switch offers a lighter touch for smoother typing over extended periods. Ultimately, for those who prefer a lighter feel, the Darling switch would be more suitable, while those looking for a heavier push feel may opt for the Cream Yellow switch. Both switches offer a similar actuation force, so users can expect comparable results in terms of responsiveness.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the Darling's 3.5 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for faster response times, the Cream Yellow offers a slightly quicker actuation due to its shorter distance. However, this may not be suitable for those who prefer a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and how it affects typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
The Outemu Cream Yellow comes in at $3.10 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 Darling linear switch is known for its distinctive sound profile, offering a clacky and high-pitched sound that is both crisp and resonant. This creates an engaging auditory experience that enhances the typing sensation. In contrast, the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch does not have any specific sound descriptors available.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Darling switch is highlighted by its bouncy nature, providing a spring-like feedback that adds a lively feel to each keystroke. On the other hand, the tactile feedback of the Outemu Cream Yellow switch is unknown.
Overall, the KTT Darling linear switch stands out for its chewy typing sensation, substantial feel, and pronounced bounciness, coupled with a resonant and high-pitched sound profile. While information on the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch is limited, it can be inferred that the subjective qualities of this switch may offer a different typing experience compared to the Darling. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as well as other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a typing sensation that is chewy, substantial, and bouncy with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, the KTT Darling switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactile feel with a medium bottom out force and do not mind a lack of specific sound or feel descriptors, the Outemu Cream Yellow switch may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.