Huano Elf vs. KTT Purple Click

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Huano Elf and the KTT Purple Click can significantly affect your typing experience. The Huano Elf, a linear switch, is celebrated for its unique POK top housing that enhances acoustics, resulting in a deep sound signature. It offers a medium-light feel that provides a satisfying and smooth typing experience, making it an excellent option for those who prefer a quieter, more understated keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Purple Click, also known as Purple Sauce, brings an invigorating tactile feedback combined with a high-pitched, satisfying click sound. Its light keystrokes strike a balance between being tactile and not overwhelming, delivering a crunchy and resonant experience ideal for those who enjoy the auditory feedback of a clicky switch. While both switches cater to distinct preferences—one prioritizing a smooth and silent operation and the other emphasizing tactile responsiveness and sound—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Elf Linear

KTT Purple Click Clicky

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Elf and the KTT Purple Click switches, we see notable differences in their top housings. The Huano Elf utilizes a polyketone (POK) material, which is characterized by its low coefficient of friction (0.04), allowing for a smooth typing experience. The POK material's remarkable durability and higher shock resistance make it an excellent choice for producing long-lasting switches. In contrast, the KTT Purple Click features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency. This property not only contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile but also enhances the visual appeal when paired with RGB lighting. While both materials provide a quality feel, the characteristics of POK favor a smoother operation, whereas polycarbonate emphasizes sound clarity and aesthetic qualities.

In terms of the bottom housing, both switches employ nylon, leading to a shared acoustic experience regardless of the top housing material. Nylon's inherent softness allows it to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This commonality means that regardless of the differences in top housing, both the Huano Elf and KTT Purple Click will deliver a rich auditory experience. Although the material compositions vary in the upper sections, the consistent use of nylon in the base provides a convergence in performance with regards to sound depth and fullness.

Ultimately, the combination of materials used in both the Huano Elf and KTT Purple Click switches creates a distinctive overall typing feel. The top housing determines the sound profile as a key is released, while the bottom housing influences the sound when a key bottoms out. For the Huano Elf, the POK top material fosters a smooth, clacky experience, whereas the polycarbonate top of the Purple Click is designed for sharper, more resonant sounds. Despite these differences, the common use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures both switches retain a cohesive sound quality, making them both appealing to different types of users based on their personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback during use.

Weight

The Huano Elf linear switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Elf has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Purple Click is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Elf requires a bit more force to register a keystroke, which might make it less ideal for extended typing sessions for those who prefer a lighter touch. Conversely, the Purple Click's actuation force allows for reduced effort during typing, making it potentially more suitable for prolonged use. However, the Elf's bottom out force is unavailable, which means we can't make a direct comparison in that aspect. The Purple Click does have a defined bottom out force of 55 grams, characterizing it as medium-light. Overall, the Huano Elf appears to be the heavier option in terms of actuation force, while the KTT Purple Click offers a lighter typing experience, making it a preferable choice for those seeking a less demanding keystroke.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Elf linear switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch, it is clear that they differ significantly. The Elf has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Purple Click measures at 4 mm, which is the longer distance. This means that users who prefer quicker actuation will likely find the Elf's shorter travel distance more appealing, as it allows for faster response times suitable for gaming. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial feeling when pressing keys might prefer the Purple Click’s longer travel distance, which provides a more pronounced tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your preference for either speed or depth in key travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Huano Elf linear switch offers a deep sound signature that contributes to a more subdued auditory experience compared to the KTT Purple Click. The Elf's construction with a POK top housing enhances acoustics, resulting in a rich, but not overly sharp or annoying sound profile, which makes it more suited for quiet environments or subtlety in audio feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Click switch is characterized by its high-pitched, crunchy clicks, which create an engaging and crisp audio experience reminiscent of stepping on autumn leaves. Its resonant profile is clean and sharp, delivering a more pronounced auditory feedback that can be highly satisfying for those who prefer a clicky switch.

When considering the feel of these switches, the Elf linear switch provides a medium-light actuation that contributes to a cushioned typing experience, allowing for a smooth keypress without much resistance. This design can lead to a less tactile experience overall, making it ideal for users who enjoy a fluid typing style. Conversely, the KTT Purple Click is invigorating to type on, featuring pronounced tactile feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force that keeps the user engaged with each keystroke. The stepped feeling of this switch adds an extra layer of interaction, making it ideal for users who appreciate a more dynamic and reactive typing sensation.

In conclusion, both the Huano Elf and KTT Purple Click switches cater to distinct user preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience, the Elf might be the right choice for you, thanks to its deep sound signature and medium-light feel. On the other hand, the Purple Click offers an invigorating, resonant audio experience with a tactile feedback that could be more enjoyable for those who favor clicky switches. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value auditory stimulation and tactile feedback more in your typing experience, as both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different tastes in mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Huano Elf linear switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a smooth and quiet typing experience with a deep sound signature that enhances acoustics, the Elf switch is an excellent option, especially for tasks that require a more serene environment or for long hours of typing where fatigue can set in. The absence of a bottom-out force adds to its gentle feel, making it inviting for casual typing and gaming alike. Conversely, if you thrive on auditory feedback and enjoy the satisfying sensation of a pronounced click while typing, the KTT Purple Click switch would be more suited to your style. This switch provides a lighter keystroke with a crunchy, resonant sound that can add a layer of excitement to your typing experience. The invigorating feedback and medium-light bottom-out force can enhance your productivity, making it ideal for those who enjoy a tactile and engaging interaction with their keyboard. Ultimately, consider the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard, the sound profile you prefer, and whether tactile feedback or a smooth experience is more appealing to you as you make your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Elf Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

KTT Purple Click Clicky

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

Learn more