Huano Elf vs. TTC Flaming Purple

Overview

When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Elf and the TTC Flaming Purple both present compelling options for users seeking a linear typing experience, yet they offer distinctive characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Huano Elf, renowned for its POK top housing, provides an enhanced acoustic profile with a deep sound signature and a medium-light feel. This combination allows for a satisfying typing experience that balances subtlety with emphasis, making it an excellent choice for both casual and serious typists who appreciate an engaging feel without overwhelming feedback. Conversely, the TTC Flaming Purple stands out with its resonant character and unique auditory flair, producing a neutral yet slightly bassier sound that introduces a poppy undertone to each keystroke. With a remarkably low bottom-out force of just 47g, this switch offers a feather-light touch, making it ideal for those who value speed and effortless typing in both gaming and everyday tasks. While both switches provide enjoyable linear experiences, they do so in different ways. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Elf Linear

TTC Flaming Purple Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$8.30

$4.30 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Huano Elf and the TTC Flaming Purple demonstrate both diversity and commonality that influence their overall sound profiles and typing experiences. The Elf employs a top housing made of POK material, a polyketone known for its smoothness and durability, complemented by an exceptionally low coefficient of friction. This feature, combined with POK's remarkable wear and shock resistance, contributes to a switch that is not only responsive but also enduring under heavy use. In contrast, the Flaming Purple incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, which yields a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This distinct property allows for clearer audio feedback when typing, especially beneficial for those who prefer pronounced keystrokes, particularly when RGB lighting enhances the visual experience. As a result, while the Elf offers a smooth and clacky experience thanks to its POK material, the Flaming Purple excels in delivering a more vibrant, resonant soundscape.

Examining the bottom housings of both switches reveals a notable similarity, as both the Elf and Flaming Purple utilize nylon for this component. Nylon is known for absorbing sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that many keyboard enthusiasts appreciate. Since both switches feature nylon in this area, users can expect a semblance of sound characteristics, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials. The roundness and depth provided by the nylon bottom in both switches ensures a baseline comfort and acoustic quality that aligns with traditional expectations of switch design. Thus, while the top housings contribute unique benefits, the shared nylon bottom allows for a similar foundational typing sound across both models.

In sum, the differing top housing materials between the Huano Elf and the TTC Flaming Purple lead to distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences, with POK providing a smooth and durable feel, while polycarbonate offers clarity and resonance. The nylon bottom housing acts as a common denominator, ensuring that users can still experience the classic characteristics of a well-designed switch, regardless of the top's composition. Consequently, while the performance and auditory feedback may differ significantly when pressing keys, both switches provide an enjoyable typing experience rooted in the resilient and versatile properties of nylon. This interplay of materials illustrates the intricate balance between design, sound, and functionality in mechanical switches, allowing users to select based on their preferences for specific auditory and tactile experiences.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Elf linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch, both offer a notable actuation force of 42 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of how much pressure is required to register a keypress. However, the TTC Flaming Purple sets itself apart with a bottom out force of 47 grams, which adds a firmer resistance when the key is fully pressed down, making it a heavier option overall. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Huano Elf remains unknown, which leads to uncertainty regarding its overall tactile feedback and typing experience when the key is fully engaged. As such, users who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Huano Elf, especially since it lacks a specified bottom out force, which could imply a softer feel. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial feedback typical of heavier switches may find the TTC Flaming Purple preferable due to its higher bottom out force. In summary, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Flaming Purple delivers a heavier feel overall due to its bottom out resistance.

Travel distance

The Huano Elf linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch both share the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on the keys. This identical travel distance ensures that both switches will provide comparable results in terms of feel and responsiveness, making them suitable for those who prioritize a consistent typing experience. Whether using the Huano Elf or the TTC Flaming Purple, the 3.6 mm travel distance allows for a uniform switching performance, which can be particularly beneficial for users transitioning between the two types.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Elf linear switch is best known for its deep sound signature, enhanced by its POK top housing, which contributes to better acoustics. This design results in a rich, full-bodied auditory experience that many typists find satisfying. In contrast, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch features a neutral sound profile with a slight bass boost, introducing a poppy undertone that adds a unique character to each keystroke. While both switches exhibit deeper sound qualities, the Elf leans more towards a pronounced depth, whereas the Flaming Purple offers a more balanced resonance with a hint of bassiness. Ultimately, the auditory experience of each switch can also be influenced by your choice of keyboard and keycap materials, but both switches are likely to deliver immersive sound experiences.

In terms of feel, the Huano Elf is recognized for its medium-light feel, providing a satisfying and responsive typing experience. This switch strikes a balance that many users appreciate, delivering enough resistance without being overly taxing on the fingers. On the other hand, the TTC Flaming Purple switch is characterized by its feathery lightness and easy-to-press nature, requiring only 47g of force to bottom out. This extreme lightness minimizes finger strain for prolonged use, making it ideal for various typing tasks, including gaming and intensive writing. Additionally, the Flaming Purple is noted for its silky smoothness, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable typing experience. While the Elf offers a solid sensation, the Flaming Purple leans towards an ultra-light and effortless typing feel, catering to those who prefer less resistance.

In conclusion, both the Huano Elf and TTC Flaming Purple linear switches offer unique auditory and tactile experiences that cater to different preferences among typists. The Elf stands out with its deep sound signature and medium-light feel, appealing to those who enjoy a rich auditory experience and a balanced typing effort. Conversely, the Flaming Purple excels in providing a resonant sound with a bassy undertone and an exceptionally light, smooth typing experience. While they both deliver satisfying results, your choice will ultimately depend on whether you prioritize depth and balance or a featherweight ease of typing. Regardless of your selection, each switch promises a fulfilling typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Huano Elf linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch, your choice should hinge on your specific typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you desire a switch that offers a unique acoustic profile combined with a medium-light feel, perfect for a satisfying typing experience, the Huano Elf may be the right fit for you. Its design features a POK top housing aimed at enhancing acoustics, resulting in a richer auditory experience while typing. However, if you lean towards a lighter, more effortless typing experience, particularly for extended sessions or fast-paced gaming, the TTC Flaming Purple switch stands out with its feathery feel and low actuation force of 47 grams. The Flaming Purple also boasts a subtly bassy sound signature that combines both auditory pleasure and tactile satisfaction, making it versatile for both casual and competitive use. Ultimately, consider your priorities in terms of sound, feel, and the overall context of use when choosing between these two impressive switches.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Elf Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

TTC Flaming Purple Linear

$8.30

$4.30 per 10

Learn more