TTC Flaming Pink vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch can significantly enhance your typing or gaming experience. The TTC Flaming Pink switch is well-regarded for its smooth and responsive feel, coupled with a satisfying bottom-out sound, which creates an elevated experience suited for both gaming enthusiasts and everyday typists. Its sound profile strikes a balance, being bright without becoming overly loud, making it a versatile choice for various environments. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch captivates with its unique POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, resulting in a remarkably smooth and creamy typing experience that’s truly reminiscent of its delightful namesake. Acoustically, the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound, setting it apart from many other switches on the market. While each switch offers its distinct advantages—smoothness and responsiveness with the Flaming Pink and a creamy, high-pitched character with the Vanilla Ice Cream—your choice ultimately boils down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, one can observe distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Flaming Pink features a polycarbonate top housing, which excels in creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Polycarbonate's stiffness allows for clear resonance, making it a popular choice for RGB lighting setups due to its translucency. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream uses a proprietary blend of materials for its top housing, yielding a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both switches achieve a bright sound, the Flaming Pink’s reliance on polycarbonate provides a more acute clarity, whereas the KTT blend may offer a unique tonal quality that could vary based on the mix of the special materials utilized.
The bottom housings of these switches further delineate their auditory and tactile characteristics. The Flaming Pink employs a nylon bottom housing, renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound more effectively. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a bottom housing made from POK (polyketone), which is not only exceptionally smooth and strong but also has superior shock resistance. While the Flaming Pink’s nylon adds a warmer, rounder tone, the POK material's durability and low friction enhance the switch’s overall smoothness and longevity. Here, the differences in bottom housing material create a contrast in sound profiles, where the Flaming Pink offers a more cushioned bottom-out feeling while the Vanilla Ice Cream prioritizes smooth actuation.
In summary, while the TTC Flaming Pink and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches share a common objective of providing engaging typing experiences, their distinct housing materials lead to varied auditory outcomes and tactile sensations. Both switches exhibit a bright sound due to their top housings, but the Flaming Pink’s polycarbonate and the Vanilla Ice Cream’s proprietary blend showcase different approaches to achieving clarity and brightness. The bottom housing further divides their sound profiles, where nylon offers a softer touch against the POK's robust durability. Thus, users may find similar heightened auditory experiences in both switches, yet the subtleties in material composition define their individual characters, allowing for user preference to guide selection between the two.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, both switches exhibit similar characteristics in their actuation force, with each requiring 43 grams to trigger a keystroke. This suggests that users will experience a comparable level of responsiveness when typing or gaming. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Flaming Pink switch has a slightly higher requirement of 50 grams, compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 48 grams. This means that the Flaming Pink switch provides a marginally heavier tactile feedback upon bottoming out, which some users may appreciate for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, both switches are considered light, making them suitable for long sessions of typing or gaming, but the Flaming Pink offers a slightly heavier bottom out experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch have slightly different travel distances, with the Flaming Pink measuring 3.6 mm and the Vanilla Ice Cream at 3.5 mm. This makes the Flaming Pink the longer option by a mere 0.1 mm, which may not seem significant but could influence user experience depending on personal preference. For gamers who prioritize quick response times, both switches offer relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, making them suitable choices for rapid key presses. However, those who prefer a deeper feel might lean towards the Flaming Pink due to its slightly greater travel distance. Ultimately, while both switches cater to a modern preference for shorter activation distances, the Flaming Pink provides a marginal advantage for users seeking a heartier depth in their keystrokes.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 Flaming Pink switch provides a bright yet not overly loud auditory experience. Its satisfying bottom-out sound is well-suited for both gaming and everyday typing, allowing it to blend seamlessly into various environments without being intrusive. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch features a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, accompanied by a marbly resonance that gives it a sharper and cleaner sound signature. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream particularly distinctive, as it stands out with a more pronounced auditory character that some typists find more engaging, while others may find it more stimulating or distracting, depending on personal preference.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Pink switch is renowned for its smooth and responsive typing experience, enhancing both comfort and performance during extended sessions. The linear design ensures that there is no tactile bump or audible click, allowing for a fluid keystroke motion. Conversely, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch excels in providing a remarkably buttery and creamy typing feel, akin to a silky glide across the keys. This sensation may be attributed to the use of POK materials in its construction, contributing to a velvety typing experience that many users find exceptionally pleasant.
Overall, both the TTC Flaming Pink and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique attributes that cater to different user preferences. Those who appreciate a responsive feel and balanced sound may gravitate towards the Flaming Pink, while enthusiasts looking for a distinctive auditory experience paired with a creamy touch may prefer the Vanilla Ice Cream. Despite their differences, both switches deliver smooth linear action, making them viable options for similar typing experiences depending on individual tastes in sound and feel.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing between the TTC Flaming Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a smooth and responsive feel paired with a satisfying but not overly loud sound—making it suitable for both gaming and everyday typing—the Flaming Pink is an excellent choice. Its slightly firmer bottom-out force of 50 grams can offer a tad more resistance, which may appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback as they type. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a uniquely pristine auditory experience and an incredibly silky feel reminiscent of whipped cream, then the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch should be your go-to. Its lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams and high-pitched, marbly sound signature will cater well to users who prefer a lighter touch and a more delicate auditory feedback. In essence, consider the Flaming Pink for balanced performance and responsiveness, while opting for the Vanilla Ice Cream if you desire a smooth, creamy typing experience and a distinctive, higher-pitched sound.
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