TTC Flaming Purple vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Mint both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple stands out with its resonant and slightly bassy sound signature, making each keystroke engaging and lively. With a feathery feel and low actuation force, it provides a swift and effortless typing experience for both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the KTT Mint is praised for its satisfyingly smooth and poppy thockiness, thanks to its long pole stem. It offers a light and fleeting typing feel that is polished and neutral. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Purple and KTT Mint both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches that prioritize sound quality. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Despite being different brands, the use of polycarbonate in both Flaming Purple and Mint ensures that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual experience.
In contrast, the Flaming Purple features a nylon bottom housing, while the Mint also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. The use of this classic switch housing material in both the Flaming Purple and Mint emphasizes the importance of sound quality and the overall typing experience for users.
When comparing the top and bottom housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and KTT Mint, it's evident that each material brings unique qualities to the switches. While the top housing primarily impacts the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down. Both switches showcase a thoughtful balance of materials, with polycarbonate for a sharper sound and nylon for a fuller sound, providing users with a diverse typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 47 grams compared to the KTT Mint linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 53 grams. The Flaming Purple switch offers a lighter typing experience, making it more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. In contrast, the Mint switch provides a slightly more substantial push feel, which may appeal to individuals who prefer a bit more resistance while typing. Both switches fall within the light to medium-light category, but the Mint switch requires slightly more force for both actuation and bottom out. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference for typing feel and desired level of force required for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Mint linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Mint has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Flaming Purple. A travel distance of 4.0mm is considered more traditional, while 3.0mm is shallower. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Flaming Purple a popular choice. However, some may find the shorter travel distance too abrupt and prefer the more substantial depth provided by the Mint switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
The KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch offers a bassier and resonant profile, providing a deeper and richer auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the KTT Mint linear switch presents a low-pitched and neutral sound, catering to a more mellow and moderate auditory preference. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, with the Flaming Purple leaning towards a bassier resonance while the Mint delivers a smoother and more neutral sound profile. Your choice of keyboard and keycaps will also play a role in shaping the overall sound output of these switches.
Moving on to the feel aspect, the TTC Flaming Purple switch is described as feathery, easy-to-press, and silky, offering an exceptionally light and smooth typing experience. This lightweight nature reduces finger fatigue and enhances typing comfort, making it an appealing option for extended typing sessions. On the contrary, the KTT Mint switch provides a mild and polished typing feel, offering a gentler typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. While the Mint switch falls in the middle ground in terms of its tactile characteristics, the Flaming Purple switch stands out for its feather-light and silky typing feel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Flaming Purple and KTT Mint linear switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. Choosing between these switches will depend on your personal preference for sound profile (bassy versus low-pitched and neutral) and typing feel (feathery and easy-to-press versus mild and polished). Each switch brings its own distinctive qualities to the table, providing users with a customized typing experience based on their preferences. Ultimately, whether you opt for the Flaming Purple or Mint switch, you can expect a high-quality and enjoyable typing experience tailored to your individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, consider your preference for key feel and sound profile. If you prioritize a feathery and easy-to-press typing experience with a poppy undertone, then the Flaming Purple switch with its bottom out force of 47 grams may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a mild and polished typing feel with a satisfyingly smooth thockiness, the Mint switch with a bottom out force of 53 grams might better suit your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so trust your instincts and choose the switch that aligns with your personal typing style and auditory preferences.
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