TTC Gold Red vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red and TTC Honey are two popular options that offer unique experiences. The Gold Red is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience and light-medium level of resistance. With a snappy sound profile, these switches add a modest touch of personality without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Honey switches are renowned for their smooth and creamy typing feel. They also feature a deep and pleasant sound profile. Both switches fall into the category of subtle and polished, providing a refined and elegant typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Honey switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate proves advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a visually appealing illumination. Therefore, users can expect similar sound and aesthetic experiences when using both the Gold Red and Honey switches.
However, the main point of differentiation lies in their bottom housing materials. While the Gold Red switches feature a nylon bottom housing, the Honey switches employ a polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to the softness of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Honey switches contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, similar to its effect on the top housing. Therefore, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Honey switches share similar top housing materials, resulting in identical sound and visual effects. However, their bottom housing materials differ, with the Gold Red utilizing nylon for a deeper and fuller sound experience, while the Honey incorporates polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound profile. Understanding the roles these housing materials play can help users choose the switch that aligns with their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, both switches have a similar bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of the strength required to fully depress the keys. However, there is a slight difference in their actuation forces. The Gold Red requires a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams, while the Honey has a slightly lower actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Gold Red offers a slightly firmer push feel when triggering a keystroke compared to the Honey switch.
Considering weight as a factor, both switches fall under the lighter category, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may become a concern. The lighter actuation force of the Honey switch may be preferable for those who desire a slightly lighter touch, while the Gold Red switch caters to individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation force, with both options offering a similar weight for a comfortable and efficient typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, there is a slight difference in their measurements. The Gold Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Honey has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm.
For those who prefer a more traditional feel and depth when pressing down on a key, the Gold Red switch would be the suitable choice. It provides a slightly longer travel distance, allowing for a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming.
However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you value responsiveness and a quicker keystroke, the Honey switch with its slightly shorter travel distance would be the ideal option.
Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences and needs. If you prefer a hearty and deeper keystroke, the Gold Red switch offers a longer travel distance. Conversely, if you prioritize a more responsive and quick key press, the Honey switch with its slightly shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. Regardless of the option chosen, both switches provide satisfactory results for their respective travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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 Gold Red linear switch is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. The sound profile of these switches is described as thocky, which produces a deep and satisfying sound when pressed and released. It is also low-pitched, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The switch has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in any setting, whether at home or work. Overall, the Gold Red switch offers a pleasant and moderate sound experience.
On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch is known for its smooth and creamy typing feel. It offers a subtly dampened sound when pressed, creating a more subdued sound signature compared to most switches. The Honey switch is described as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. It offers a frictionless and fluid travel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Like the Gold Red switch, the Honey switch also has a subtle resistance and a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience.
In summary, the TTC Gold Red and Honey linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Red switch has a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, with a neutral overall sound suitable for most intents and purposes. It provides a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing feel, offering a smooth and refined experience. On the other hand, the Honey switch has a more subdued sound with a creamy and buttery typing feel. It offers a frictionless, subtle, and polished experience, with an effortless and uniform typing sensation. While both switches have similar qualities when it comes to subtlety, polished finish, and a light typing feel, the sound profiles and overall typing experiences of the Gold Red and Honey switches differ.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a light-medium level of resistance and a smooth typing experience, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is a great choice. It offers a buttery smooth feel and a snappy sound profile that adds just the right amount of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. The Gold Red switch is described as having a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. In terms of feel, the Gold Red switch is mild, silky, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a smooth and creamy typing experience, the TTC Honey linear switch is the way to go. These switches are known for their deep and pleasant sound profile, offering a more subdued sound compared to most switches. The Honey switch is described as creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished, providing a silky sensation and effortless keystrokes. It is also suitable for shared spaces due to its non-resonant sound signature.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Red and Honey switches depends on your personal preferences. If you value a snappy sound profile and a light-medium level of resistance, the Gold Red switch is a great option. However, if you prefer a smoother and creamier typing experience, the Honey switch would be more suitable for you. Both switches offer exceptional smoothness and a satisfying typing feel, so it ultimately comes down to your individual preferences.
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