TTC Flaming Purple vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Flaming Purple and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple stands out for its resonant and bassier sound signature, providing a poppy undertone to each keystroke. With a feather-light bottom-out force of just 47g, it offers swift and effortless typing for both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the ingenious use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. It delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, giving it a distinctive edge in acoustics. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
47g
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
POK
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary housing blend for a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, the polycarbonate in the Flaming Purple provides a more resonant sound due to its stiffer nature, while the KTT blend in the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a unique sound experience with its special mixed materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Flaming Purple uses nylon for a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound for a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing is known for its smoothness, durability, and shock resistance, making it a top choice for making switches. While both materials offer different sound profiles, they both contribute to the overall typing experience in their own unique ways.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch can greatly impact the sound and feel of typing. Whether it be the stiffer polycarbonate in the TTC Flaming Purple for a clearer sound or the smooth and durable POK in the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream for a clacky typing experience, each material brings its own qualities to the table. By understanding how each housing material influences the sound and feel of a switch, keyboard enthusiasts can make informed decisions on which switch best suits their typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, both switches have very similar weight requirements for actuation and bottoming out. The Flaming Purple has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Both switches are considered light in terms of force needed for typing. This makes them ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, both switches may not provide the desired level of resistance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference for typing feel and the amount of force one prefers in a keyboard switch.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking quicker response times, particularly gamers. The slight difference in travel distance may not be significant enough to be noticeable for most users, so you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Flaming Purple may provide a slightly more satisfying tactile experience compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream. Ultimately, personal preference should dictate which switch you choose based on your desired level of key travel depth.
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 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 Purple linear switch offers a bassier and resonant experience, providing a slightly poppy undertone to every keystroke. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, giving typists a sharp and crisp auditory feedback. While the Flaming Purple leans towards a deeper tone, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a more vibrant and resonant sound profile, adding variety to the auditory experience. Both switches provide unique auditory characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Flaming Purple excelling in bassier tones and the Vanilla Ice Cream highlighting higher-pitched accents.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is lauded for its feathery nature and easy-to-press design, with a bottom-out force of just 47g. This light actuation force offers a swift and effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch boasts a smooth and creamy feel, akin to the dessert it's named after. The use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing provides typists with a buttery and silky typing sensation, ensuring a seamless and uniform keystroke experience. Each switch offers a distinct tactile feel, with the Flaming Purple focusing on light actuation and the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a smooth and creamy typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple excels in providing a bassier and resonant sound profile, coupled with a feathery and easy-to-press typing feel. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, complemented by a buttery and creamy typing sensation. Whether you prefer a deeper, bassier tone or a sharp, crisp sound, there is a switch option available to suit your auditory and tactile preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer exceptional qualities that enhance the typing experience, ensuring a customized and enjoyable keyboarding experience for enthusiasts and daily typists alike.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the auditory and tactile preferences that best suit your typing experience. If you enjoy a bassier sound profile and a feathery, light keypress, the Flaming Purple switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a higher-pitched, clacky sound and a smooth, buttery typing feel, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on your personal preferences for sound and typing sensation, ensuring that your mechanical keyboard experience is tailored to your specific tastes.
Mentioned in this article
