Huano Elf vs. KTT Mint

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the Huano Elf and the KTT Mint present two intriguing options, each with its own unique characteristics. The Elf is celebrated for its POK top housing, which not only enhances acoustics but delivers a rich, deep sound signature paired with a medium-light feel that many typists find satisfying. On the other hand, the KTT Mint shines with its satisfyingly smooth typing experience, featuring a long pole stem that produces a distinct poppy thockiness, combined with a light and fleeting typing sensation. While the Elf offers a more pronounced auditory feedback that some enthusiasts crave, the Mint is ideal for those seeking a refined and smooth linear experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing needs.

By the numbers

Huano Elf Linear

KTT Mint Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$2.91 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Elf and the KTT Mint, we see a distinct difference in their top housings but a notable similarity in their bottom housings. The Huano Elf employs a polyketone (POK) top housing known for its exceptional durability and smooth feel, with a coefficient of friction of 0.04, which contributes to a more satisfying tactile experience. In contrast, the KTT Mint utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is characterized by a stiffer composition that generates a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials are designed to optimize performance, the Elf's POK material excels in durability and wear resistance, whereas the Mint’s polycarbonate enhances sound clarity and resonance, particularly beneficial for RGB lighting aesthetics.

Both switches feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which leads to a consistent auditory experience between the two models. Nylon's softer plastic composition allows it to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both the Huano Elf and the KTT Mint. This shared material choice ensures that, regardless of the differences in their top housings, both switches deliver a pleasant auditory experience characterized by a duller and rounder sound signature. The use of nylon in the bottom housing emphasizes a softer feel and enhances overall user experience through sound absorption.

Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housings of the Huano Elf and KTT Mint illustrates how these switches yield unique characteristics while sharing a core audio quality. The differences in top housing materials shape the tactile response and top-out sounds when typing, with the Elf providing a smooth tactile feel and the Mint offering a sharper auditory response. Nevertheless, both switches share the nylon bottom housing's influence, leading to a more rounded and satisfying sound profile upon bottoming out. Consequently, despite their distinct top constructions, users can expect a balanced and engaging switching experience with either option, underscored by the commonality of nylon in the bottom housing.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Elf linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Elf features an actuation force of 42 grams, making it the lighter option for typists who prefer a less strenuous keystroke, while the Mint has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. This difference could make the Elf more suitable for long typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less effort to actuate each key. However, details about the bottom out force for the Huano Elf are unavailable, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison with the KTT Mint, which has a bottom out force of 53 grams. The Mint’s medium-light bottom out force contributes to a more defined push feel, potentially appealing to users who favor a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the Elf is the lighter switch, while the Mint is heavier, making it a better choice for those who prefer a stronger tactile feedback.

Travel distance

The Huano Elf linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Mint linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference of 0.4 mm highlights the Elf switch as the shorter option, making it potentially more responsive for gamers or users who favor quicker key presses. In contrast, the Mint switch, with its increased travel distance, may be more appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience, offering a deeper feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference: if quicker response times are a priority, the Huano Elf would be the better option, whereas the KTT Mint might suit those seeking a more substantial depth in their key presses.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Elf linear switch produces a deep sound signature that is warm and full, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a bass-heavy auditory experience. Its POK top housing enhances acoustics, ensuring that every keystroke resonates wonderfully. In contrast, the KTT Mint offers a more neutral sound profile with a low-pitched tonal quality. While the Mint's sound may not be as rich as the Elf's, it provides a pleasant "thock" that is enjoyable without being overly pronounced. The sound characteristics of both switches ultimately depend on other factors like your choice of keyboard and keycaps, but if you're looking for an immersive auditory experience, the Elf switches will likely stand out.

In terms of feel, the Elf switch is described as delivering a medium-light typing experience, which strikes a balance between comfort and responsiveness. This makes it enjoyable for long typing sessions while still providing the satisfying feedback that many users seek. On the other hand, the KTT Mint's feel is characterized by a mild gentleness, making it suitable for all types of users, whether novice or experienced. Its polished nature means that you can expect smooth and refined key travel that minimizes friction, enhancing the overall comfort of typing. Both switches offer smooth experiences, but the Elf leans towards a slightly more tactile sensation compared to the Mint's gentle glide.

Taking into account their respective qualities, the Huano Elf and KTT Mint switches cater to slightly different preferences yet share the core attributes that make linear switches so appealing. The Elf excels in producing a deep sound and a medium-light feel that many find satisfying, while the Mint offers a mild and polished experience with a neutral sound signature. If you're choosing between them, consider your preferences for sound depth and feel sensitivity. Both switches promise smooth key travel and a satisfying typing experience, but your choice will ultimately depend on what auditory and tactile characteristics resonate with you.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Elf linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, consider your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and actuation force. If you value an enhanced auditory experience with a deeper sound signature and a satisfying typing experience, the Elf is an excellent choice, especially if you appreciate a medium-light actuation that provides a more tactile response without being overly heavy. On the other hand, if you prefer a more polished and smooth typing experience with a subtle "thock" sound profile, the KTT Mint is likely to be the better fit, given its low-pitched and neutral characteristics, along with a medium-light bottom-out force that provides a gentle but responsive keypress. The Mint's long pole stem also contributes to a fleeting typing feel, making it suitable for fast-paced typing scenarios or gaming. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the typing experience you seek—decide whether you want the Elf's acoustic richness or the Mint's refined smoothness to enhance your keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Elf Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

KTT Mint Linear

$2.91 per 10

Learn more