KTT Glimp vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

Introducing the KTT Glimp and TTC Silent Red, two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features for different preferences. The Glimp switch, known for its medium-light resistance, strikes the perfect balance between a substantial typing experience and ease of use. With its tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force, it guarantees a satisfying and responsive typing feel. Moreover, the Glimp switch adds an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions with its fairly clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise. Designed for office or shared living spaces, it boasts a muted sound profile, ensuring minimal distraction. With a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, the Silent Red switch offers maximum comfort, thanks to its padded bottom-out feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Glimp Linear

TTC Silent Red Linear

$3.84

$3.45 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Glimp and the TTC Silent Red both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing material. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal option for those seeking a distinct auditory experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly advantageous for individuals planning to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a greater distribution of light. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual aesthetics with regards to the top housing of these switches.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the KTT Glimp and the TTC Silent Red incorporate nylon. This choice provides a contrasting sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing. Typing on switches featuring nylon creates a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This absorption leads to a duller and rounder sound, which may be preferred by those seeking a quieter and more muted typing experience. In terms of tactile feedback, the qualities of the bottom housing, such as the impact and bottom-out sound and feel, are more apparent when pressing down on either switch.

While the top and bottom housings differ between the KTT Glimp and the TTC Silent Red, the overall impact on the typing experience is split between the two. When pressing down on the switches, the bottom housing plays a more significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the sound when releasing a key is influenced more by the top housing. These distinctions highlight the importance of considering the combination of housing materials in a switch to achieve the desired sound and typing experience. Despite the differences, both switches aim to deliver quality results in terms of sound and tactile feedback, providing users with options to suit their preferences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Glimp has an actuation force of 43 grams, slightly lighter than the Silent Red's 45 grams. While this difference may not be significant, those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Glimp more suitable for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Glimp is 53 grams, making it lighter than the Silent Red's 63.5 grams. This means that the Silent Red requires a slightly heavier push to fully press the key. For those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Red may be preferred. Overall, while there are slight variations in the actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches, they both fall within the medium range. Therefore, individuals seeking similar results can expect a comparable typing experience, although with slightly different feels in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that the Glimp has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter distance of 3.7 mm. The Glimp falls into the category of more traditional travel distances, providing a deeper feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a slightly shallower travel distance, which is preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Silent Red with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing, the Glimp's longer travel distance would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Glimp switch is best known for its medium-light typing experience that strikes a perfect balance for those seeking a substantial but not overwhelming resistance. Its tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force provide a satisfying and responsive typing feel. This switch also has a fairly clacky sound profile, adding an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is perfect for those looking for a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise. It has a muted sound profile which makes it ideal for office or shared living space use. The Silent Red switch offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort.

In terms of sound, the Glimp switch can be described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This sound is crisp, bright, and percussive, making for an enjoyable auditory experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. These muted switches effectively minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It is important to note that the actual sound of a switch may also depend on other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Glimp switch offers a creamy typing experience. This smooth and buttery sensation is like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, with each keystroke feeling silky. It provides a comfortable typing experience due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Additionally, the Glimp switch is categorized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that most people will find approachable. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation, ensuring uniform typing across all keys. Similar to the Glimp switch, the Silent Red switch is also categorized as mild, providing a gentle typing experience suitable for most users. In addition, the mention of a polished switch suggests a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and overall smooth key travel.

In conclusion, the Glimp and Silent Red switches have their unique subjective qualities. The Glimp switch strikes a balance between substantial typing experience and tactile feedback, with a fairly clacky sound profile and a creamy, mild feel. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch delivers a seamless and quiet typing experience, with a muted sound profile and a buttery, mild feel. While both switches offer a gentle typing experience, the Glimp has a slightly clacky sound and a creamy feel, while the Silent Red has a muted sound and a buttery feel. Depending on personal preference, either switch can provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-light switch with a satisfying tactile feedback and a fairly clacky sound profile, the KTT Glimp linear switch is the perfect choice for you. It strikes the perfect balance between a substantial typing experience and comfortable actuation force. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the way to go. With a muted sound profile, it is ideal for office or shared living space use. Both switches offer a comfortable bottom-out force, with the Glimp at 53 grams and the Silent Red at 63.5 grams. Ultimately, it boils down to your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel. Whether you prefer the clacky and creamy sensation of the Glimp or the muted and buttery keystrokes of the Silent Red, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience. It's up to you to decide which one suits your typing style and environment best.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Glimp Linear

$3.84

$3.45 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more