KTT Darling vs. Outemu Peach
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Outemu Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the KTT Darling and the Outemu Peach, both linear switches with unique characteristics. The KTT Darling is known for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, paired with a bouncy and responsive keystroke feel. It produces a high-pitched, resonant sound upon bottoming out, combining tactile and auditory feedback for an engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Peach stands out for its lightweight and silenced nature, providing a feathery light typing experience ideal for those who prefer a subtle and polished feel. While the Darling offers a bouncy and clacky typing experience, the Peach provides a more neutral and muted feel. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Partial box
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
The housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Outemu Peach both offer unique sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Darling's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. In contrast, the Peach's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Darling is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the nylon top housing of the Peach offers a classic switch housing material that elicits a unique typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Darling and the Peach utilize nylon, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on the switches. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile. However, the split between the housing materials of the top and bottom affects the overall sound and feel of the switches differently, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon releasing a key.
Overall, while the KTT Darling and the Outemu Peach differ in their top housing materials (polycarbonate for the Darling and nylon for the Peach), they both share a nylon bottom housing. This results in a consistent deep and full sound profile when typing on either switch. Despite the differences in sound characteristics between the stiffer polycarbonate top housing of the Darling and the softer nylon top housing of the Peach, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether a sharper, crisper sound profile or a deeper, fuller sound profile is preferred by the user.
Weight
The KTT Darling linear switch and the Outemu Peach linear switch offer different actuation and bottom out forces. The Darling has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Peach has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Darling slightly heavier than the Peach in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Darling provides a medium-light typing experience, while the Peach offers a lighter touch. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Darling would be the better option, while those looking for a lighter touch may prefer the Peach. Both switches provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable choices for different preferences. Ultimately, considering the weight of the switches is essential for determining the typing experience one desires, whether for long typing sessions or intense gaming.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Peach linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are currently popular especially among gamers for their quicker response times. However, the Darling switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Peach switch. Gamers looking for a bit more depth in the key press may prefer the Darling switch, while those who prefer a slightly shorter travel distance may opt for the Peach switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance that is optimal for fast-paced typing or gaming.
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 Peach comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Darling linear switch offers a clacky and high-pitched experience that delivers a sharp and resonant sound upon bottoming out, providing a tactile and auditory feedback that is engaging and satisfying. On the other hand, the Outemu Peach linear switch is described as having a neutral and muted sound profile, which is softer and quieter compared to other switches. The choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of sound feedback during typing.
Moving on to feel, the KTT Darling linear switch is known for its bouncy sensation, providing a springy and responsive feedback with each keystroke. In contrast, the Outemu Peach linear switch offers a milder and more subtle typing experience, with a gentle resistance and a polished finish for smooth key travel. Both switches cater to different preferences when it comes to the tactile feel while typing, with the Darling offering a livelier feel and the Peach providing a softer touch.
Taking all the available information into account, it is evident that the KTT Darling and Outemu Peach linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Darling excels in providing a bouncy and resonant typing experience with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, ideal for those seeking a more engaging and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Peach offers a muted and polished typing experience with a subtle and gentle feel, perfect for users looking for a softer and quieter sound during typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel while typing, ensuring that both options will provide a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Outemu Peach linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a typing experience that is chewy, substantial, and bouncy with a resonant, high-pitched sound, then the Darling switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a feathery light typing experience that is also silenced, the Peach switch may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force. So, take into account your typing style and environment to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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