TTC Flame Red vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flame Red and Cherry MX Silent Red both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Flame Red stands out for its stunning light diffuser, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize aesthetics, especially on backlit, RGB keyboards. Typing on these switches provides a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, falling into the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red maintains the classic feel of the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Its typing experience is satisfying and quiet, categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured'. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the TTC Flame Red and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches use nylon as the material for their top and bottom housings. This means that both switches will have a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The softer nature of nylon allows for a deeper and fuller sound when typing on these switches, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to switches made from harder plastics. This can result in a more enjoyable typing experience for those who prefer a quieter typing sound.
While both switches share the same housing material, the design of the top and bottom housing can still impact the typing experience. The bottom housing of a switch typically has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, while the top housing can affect the sound when a key is released. This means that even with the same nylon material, the design of the housings in the Flame Red and MX Silent Red switches can result in slightly different typing experiences based on how the sound is produced and the overall feel of the switch.
Overall, the use of nylon as the housing material for both the TTC Flame Red and Cherry MX Silent Red switches provides a consistent and high-quality typing experience for users. The softer nature of nylon helps absorb sound, resulting in a quieter and more premium sound profile. Whether you choose the Flame Red or MX Silent Red, you can expect a deeper and fuller typing sound with a duller and rounder tone, making these switches a great choice for those looking for a more refined typing experience.
Weight
The TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the Flame Red has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 54 grams, providing a bit more resistance when pressing the key all the way down, while the bottom out force of the MX Silent Red is unknown. This difference in bottom out force may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between a lighter or heavier switch comes down to personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience the user is looking for.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, we can see that the Flame Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.7 mm of the MX Silent Red. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Flame Red being on the longer side while the MX Silent Red is slightly shorter. Gamers may favor the MX Silent Red for its quicker response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes may lean towards the Flame Red. In general, both switches offer a similar typing experience, with the main difference being the slight variation in travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 TTC Flame Red switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for various users and environments. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch provides a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound that minimizes noise, ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The sound produced by both switches will also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the TTC Flame Red switch offers a mild typing experience with a weighty smoothness, creating a polished and refined feel that is approachable to most users. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as textured, indicating noticeable friction when pressed. This textural quality may appeal to some users while others prefer a smoother typing experience.
Overall, when comparing the Flame Red and MX Silent Red switches, the Flame Reds excel in providing a visually stunning light diffuser for RGB keyboards, a weighty smoothness in feel, and a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switches offer a silent operation, a muted and thocky sound profile, and a slightly heftier feel similar to the classic MX Red switches. Depending on your preferences for sound, feel, and visual aesthetics, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different user needs and preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on your personal preferences and requirements for a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, your decision should be based on your specific preferences and needs. If you are looking for a visually stunning switch with a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, the Flame Red would be the ideal choice, especially if you have a backlit, RGB keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel but with a significantly quieter sound profile, the MX Silent Red would be more suitable, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. Consider the sound and feel descriptions provided for each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and environment. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Mentioned in this article
