KTT Darling vs. Kailh Plum
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Kailh Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling, a linear switch, offers a typing experience that is both satisfying and responsive, with a chewy feel and pronounced bounciness that adds springy feedback to each keystroke. Its high-pitched, resonant sound upon bottoming out creates a unique blend of tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum, a tactile switch, provides a hefty feel without a huge tactile bump, setting it apart from other tactile switches. Its neutral and enjoyable sound profile adds to its appeal. While the Darling excels in bounciness and clackiness, the Plum stands out for its unique weightiness and mild tactility. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Darling and Kailh Plum both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding a visual appeal to the typing experience. While both switches use polycarbonate for their top housings, the differentiation between the two lies in their bottom housings.
In contrast, the Darling's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Plum's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. This difference in bottom housing material could potentially impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, with the Darling likely producing a more muted and softer typing experience compared to the Plum. Despite the difference in bottom housing material, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the KTT Darling and the all-polycarbonate housing in the Kailh Plum showcase the differences in sound profiles and typing experiences each switch offers. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a nuanced experience when typing, with each housing material contributing to different aspects of the sound and feel of the switch. Whether you prefer the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper and fuller sound of nylon, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The KTT Darling linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch both offer different actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences. The Darling has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Plum's unknown actuation force, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Plum has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. Both switches offer unique benefits - the Darling is ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions, while the Plum is better suited for users who prefer a more forceful keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Kailh Plum tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While the 0.1 mm difference may not seem significant, it can affect the overall feel and responsiveness of the switches. Gamers who prioritize quick response times may prefer the Darling switch with its slightly shorter travel distance, allowing for faster keystrokes. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more tactile and deeper typing experience may lean towards the Plum switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. Both switches offer a different typing experience, but either option will provide satisfactory results depending on individual preferences.
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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a crisp and sharp auditory experience that can be quite engaging. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum tactile switch offers a more neutral sound that is described as enjoyable and suitable for various purposes. When it comes to feel, the Darling switch is bouncy, offering a springy and responsive typing sensation that adds to the overall experience. In contrast, the Plum switch is described as mild and stepped, providing a more gentle and approachable typing experience with a unique tactile feedback that is not overly pronounced.
Overall, the KTT Darling linear switch excels in providing a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness that adds to the overall satisfaction of each keystroke. It also delivers a resonant, high-pitched sound profile that enhances the tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum tactile switch stands out for its unique heaviness without a significant tactile bump and a neutral sound profile that is enjoyable for most users. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch will depend on individual preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and overall satisfaction with each keystroke.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with a chewy and substantial feel, along with a bouncy and high-pitched sound profile, the Darling may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing force with a unique weightiness and moderate sound profile, the Plum could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision will depend on your personal preferences for typing sensation and auditory feedback.
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