TTC Flame Red vs. KTT Lightning
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the KTT Lightning switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the TTC Flame Red and the KTT Lightning switches. The Flame Red switch is best known for its stunning visual feature - a dazzling light diffuser, making it an ideal choice for those with backlit RGB keyboards. Along with its visual appeal, the Flame Red switch offers a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Lightning switch is renowned for its speed, making it the perfect choice for gamers where every millisecond can make a difference between victory and defeat. Typing on the Lightning switch provides a slick feel and a clacky sound profile. While these general observations may help you narrow down your choice, let's dive deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Flame Red and KTT Lightning switches are different, resulting in variations in their sound profiles. The Flame Red features a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound. This is due to the nylon's softness, allowing it to absorb more sound and produce a duller and rounder tone. In contrast, the Lightning switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance, resulting in a higher-pitched sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for pairing with RGB lighting.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Flame Red and Lightning switches employ nylon. As a classic switch housing material, nylon contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer composition enables greater sound absorption, resulting in a dull and round sound. For switches with different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing the key.
In summary, the Flame Red and Lightning switches offer distinct sound profiles due to their differing housing materials. The Flame Red, with its nylon top and bottom housings, elicits a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to nylon's sound absorption properties. On the other hand, the Lightning switch, with a polycarbonate top housing, produces a sharper and more resonant sound. Despite these differences, both switches share the similarity of utilizing nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar sense of depth and fullness in their sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flame Red and the KTT Lightning linear switches, there are noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Flame Red has an actuation force of 45 grams, slightly higher than the Lightning's 43 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light actuation force, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter key press. However, when considering the bottom out force, the Flame Red requires 54 grams while the Lightning needs 50 grams. This means that the Flame Red provides a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience during bottoming out compared to the Lightning. Overall, the Flame Red is slightly heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Lightning. For those who enjoy a lighter typing experience, the Lightning switch would be a better choice. However, if someone prefers a slightly heavier push feel for increased typing satisfaction, the Flame Red switch would be a suitable option.
Travel distance
The TTC Flame Red linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch have different travel distances. The Flame Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Lightning has a travel distance of 3 mm. The Flame Red's 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional, providing a deeper and more satisfying key press. On the other hand, the Lightning's 3.0mm travel distance is shallower, making it preferred by gamers for its faster response times. If you value quick responsiveness, the Lightning switch is the better choice. However, if you prefer a more substantial and satisfying key press, the Flame Red switch with its longer travel distance would be the ideal option. Both switches offer distinct experiences, catering to different preferences and needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
The KTT Lightning comes in at $3.41 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
When it comes to sound, the Flame Red switch has a neutral profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound when pressed, making it suitable for various purposes and environments, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use the keyboard at home or work. On the other hand, the Lightning switch is described as clacky, high-pitched, and chirpy. This switch produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp and bright tone. If you prefer a switch with a more rich and bassy sound profile, the Lightning switch would be a good choice. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Flame Red switch offers a mild typing experience. It falls into the category of mild switches, providing a more gentle typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes it approachable to most users, as its qualities lie in a safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Flame Red switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is due to either the materials used or factory lubing, reducing friction and providing smooth key travel. Similarly, the Lightning switch is also described as polished, offering a similar sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Furthermore, the Lightning switch is classified as subtle in terms of feel, providing a gentle resistance without being too feather-light. Its sound signature is also not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
Taking into consideration all the available information, the Flame Red switch stands out for its visual appeal, particularly its dazzling light diffuser that makes it ideal for backlit, RGB keyboards. It offers a weighty smoothness in feel and a clacky sound profile, providing a reliable typing experience for various purposes. On the other hand, the Lightning switch is known for its speed, making it perfect for situations where milliseconds can determine success or failure. It offers a slick type feel with a clacky sound profile, ideal for users who prioritize speed and responsiveness. Both switches have a polished finish, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction.
Overall, while the Flame Red and Lightning switches have their own distinct qualities, they provide similar results in terms of feel and sound. Choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences and specific needs, such as the desire for visual aesthetics, speed, or a specific sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a visually appealing switch for your backlit, RGB keyboard, the TTC Flame Red linear switch is the perfect choice. It offers a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, making typing a satisfying experience. In terms of sound, the Flame Red is described as neutral, suitable for both beginners and advanced users, and perfect for home or work settings. The feel of the Flame Red switch is mild and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and quick response, the KTT Lightning linear switch is the way to go. These "speed" switches are designed to deliver fast keystrokes, making them ideal for gaming where every millisecond matters. Typing on the Lightning switch offers a slick feel and a clacky sound profile. In terms of sound, the Lightning switch is described as clacky, high-pitched, and chirpy, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. The feel of the Lightning switch is subtle and polished, offering a gentle resistance and a smooth typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Flame Red and KTT Lightning linear switches depends on your specific preferences and needs. Whether you prioritize visuals, sound, or typing experience, both switches have their own unique qualities to offer. So consider your priorities and select the switch that aligns best with your requirements. In the end, you can't go wrong with either choice as they both provide excellent performance and satisfaction.
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