TTC Flaming Pink vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Spring Breeze present two distinct choices catering to different user preferences. The Flaming Pink is celebrated for its smooth, linear actuation, providing a responsive feel that enhances both gaming and everyday typing experiences. It boasts a satisfying bottom-out sound that strikes a balance between being bright and not overly loud, making it ideal for those who enjoy a quieter workspace. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze is classified as a clicky switch, offering a tactile feel and an audible click during each keystroke, which can provide gratifying feedback for typists and gamers alike. This lively sound profile can make typing more engaging and enjoyable, especially for users who appreciate a more pronounced audio cue when they hit their keys. While the Flaming Pink may appeal to those seeking subtlety and smoothness, the Spring Breeze caters to those who thrive on tactile and auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches showcase distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly impact their sound profiles. The Flaming Pink utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, known for producing a sharper and crisper sound. This material's inherent stiffness contributes to a more resonant audio experience, making it particularly beneficial for users who appreciate a clear sound when typing. In contrast, the Spring Breeze employs nylon for its top housing, a material recognized for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. By absorbing more sound due to its softer nature, nylon leads to a duller and rounder acoustic effect. This fundamental difference means that while both switches offer quality acoustics, the Flaming Pink won't provide the same warmth and depth as the Spring Breeze.
Examining the bottom housings reveals a commonality between the two switches, as both the Flaming Pink and the Spring Breeze feature nylon bottom housings. The use of nylon in both cases contributes to a deeper and fuller overall sound profile, thanks to its sound-absorbing properties. Because of this shared characteristic, users can expect a similar type of audio experience from both switches when fully pressed down. The nylon bottom housing has a considerable impact on the bottom-out feel and sound, allowing both switches to provide a satisfying typing experience despite their differing top housings.
When it comes to overall performance during use, it is essential to consider how the combination of the top and bottom housings influences the sound and feel of each switch. The Flaming Pink's sharper top housing and deeper nylon bottom housing create a unique blend of auditory experiences, where you may experience more clarity when releasing the key, while the bottom-out sound retains a fuller quality. Conversely, the Spring Breeze strikes a balance between its nylon top and bottom, delivering a consistently softer sound and feel throughout the key press. Despite their material differences at the top, both switches ultimately leverage their nylon bottom housings to achieve a satisfying and nuanced typing experience, allowing users to find pleasure in either switch depending on their personal preferences in sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, we see notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Flaming Pink features an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option, ideal for those who type for extended periods or prefer a softer keypress. In contrast, the Spring Breeze is slightly heavier, with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorized as medium-light. Although the actuation forces are close, the Spring Breeze’s higher bottom out force contributes to a more substantial typing experience, which may appeal to users who favor a firmer key feel. Consequently, while both switches offer a relatively light typing experience, the Outemu Spring Breeze provides a stronger push at the maximum depth, making it the heavier choice overall.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, the differences are notable. The Flaming Pink switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Spring Breeze has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the longer of the two. This difference in travel distance can significantly impact the feel and responsiveness of the switches. For gamers or users who prioritize quicker response times, the shorter distance of the Flaming Pink may be more appealing, as it allows for faster actuation. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key might opt for the Spring Breeze, which offers a deeper travel distance. Overall, while both switches provide unique experiences, the Flaming Pink is designed for those seeking a snappier performance, whereas the Spring Breeze caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Pink has an MSRP of $4.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Pink for $4.00.
The Outemu Spring Breeze comes in at $3.10 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
The TTC Flaming Pink linear switch is noted for its smooth and responsive actuation, which contributes to a satisfying bottom-out sound that enhances the overall typing experience without being overly harsh. The sound profile is bright yet controlled, making it suitable for both gaming and everyday tasks, offering a pleasant auditory feedback that doesn't disrupt a quiet environment. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch's sound characteristics remain unknown, leaving a gap in its auditory description. However, it is important to acknowledge that the final sound produced by any switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction, materials used, and specific keycap choices.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Pink switch shines with its smooth linear action, which many users appreciate for providing a seamless typing experience. Its responsiveness makes it ideal for rapid key presses common in gaming scenarios. In contrast, the Spring Breeze clicky switch lacks detailed descriptions regarding its tactile feel, thus making it difficult to compare directly. Typically, clicky switches are expected to deliver an audible "click" and some tactile feedback, which would differentiate their feel from that of a linear switch like the Flaming Pink.
In conclusion, while the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch offers a well-rounded auditory and tactile experience with its smoothness and satisfying sound, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch lacks detailed descriptions of its qualities. If you're seeking a refined typing experience, the Flaming Pink would be an excellent choice, providing clarity in sound and feel. However, for the Spring Breeze, further exploration would be necessary to determine its definitive place among mechanical switches.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, your choice should hinge on your personal preferences regarding typing feel, sound, and usage context. If you prefer a smooth and responsive typing experience with a pleasing but not overly loud sound, the Flaming Pink switch is likely your best option. Its lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams allows for effortless key presses, making it an ideal choice for fast-paced gaming sessions or prolonged typing without fatigue. On the other hand, if you enjoy the tactile feedback of a clicky switch and appreciate a medium-light resistance with a 55-gram bottom-out force, the Spring Breeze may be more to your liking. This switch could be particularly suited for those who enjoy the auditory confirmation of key presses, adding a layer of engagement during your typing or gaming experiences. Ultimately, considering your typing style and whether you favor a smoother, quieter response or a more pronounced clicky feedback will guide you toward the most satisfying switch for your needs.