TTC Gold Red vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the TTC Gold Red and Everglide Sakura Pink switches are two options worth considering. The Gold Red linear switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, making them ideal for those who prefer a gentle touch. These switches also have a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are renowned for their super light actuation force of 35g, making them perfect for delicate typists. Considered the lighter cousin of the Everglide Aqua Kings, these switches provide a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, resulting in a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gold Red and the Sakura Pink switches share some similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing is particularly advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for stunning light effects. Additionally, the stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the resonance and clarity of the sound produced by the switches. Hence, both switches offer similar benefits in terms of sound quality and aesthetics, thanks to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, these switches differ. The Gold Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its relatively softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. This translates to a unique tactile experience when typing on the Gold Red switch. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. As a result, this bottom housing also contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the quality of the sound when bottoming out may differ between the two switches, their top housings will have a more significant impact on the sound produced when releasing a key.
In summary, both the Gold Red and the Sakura Pink switches offer high-quality sound profiles attributed to their polycarbonate top housings. The key difference lies in the bottom housings, with the Gold Red featuring a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, while the Sakura Pink utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing for a sound profile similar to its top housing. Despite these differences, both switches boast excellent sound qualities and are suitable for specific preferences in key switch sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it becomes evident that both switches have a relatively light force requirement. The Gold Red switch has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sakura Pink switch has slightly lighter specifications with an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Therefore, for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, both switches can provide similar results. However, those who appreciate a more substantial push feel may find the Gold Red switch to be slightly heavier in comparison. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top of the switch to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance when using either switch.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 Gold Red linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile. When pressed and released, these switches produce a deep and satisfying "thud" or a soft "knock" sound. The Gold Reds have a neutral sound profile, which means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a well-balanced sound, suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch provides a muted sound experience. These switches produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, minimizing the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience, depending on personal preferences and the overall keyboard setup.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is known for its mild, silky, subtle, and polished qualities. These switches offer a gentle typing experience with minimal resistance and a smooth key travel. The Gold Reds have a mild characteristic, making them approachable to most users. Additionally, the switches' silky feel enhances the overall smoothness of typing, reducing friction when pressing and releasing keys. The subtle resistance and lack of resonant sound make them suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch provides a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing feel. With an extremely light actuation force of 35g, these switches make typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. They offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, akin to gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Red and Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Reds provide a thocky, low-pitched sound with a moderate actuation force requirement and a smooth typing experience. They have a polished finish and a safe, middle-ground feel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pinks produce a muted sound and boast a buttery, creamy feel with an extremely light actuation force. They offer an easy-to-press and frictionless typing experience. While these switches have their unique characteristics, they both provide smooth and effortless typing experiences, catering to the preferences of different users.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a light-medium level of resistance and a snappy sound profile, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience and a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound. Additionally, they provide a mild, silky, subtle, and polished feel, ensuring a gentle and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter actuation force and a playful sound, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch would be a great fit for you. These switches boast a feather-light actuation force and produce a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. With a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, they provide a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Sakura Pinks are described as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless, ensuring a seamless and low-impact typing feel.
Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Gold Red and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches depends on your personal preferences. Both switches offer a light typing experience, but the Gold Red is slightly heavier and has a more neutral sound, while the Sakura Pink is the lightest and produces a playful sound. Consider your desired actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel to choose the switch that best suits your needs.
Mentioned in this article
