TTC Gold Red vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream stand out as top contenders in the linear switch category. The Gold Red offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, giving it a 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Silky', 'Subtle', and 'Polished' feel. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream features an ingenious use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, providing typists with a smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its dessert namesake. This switch also offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, categorized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', and 'Resonant'. While both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Gold Red's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for users who prefer a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, providing a unique typing experience. Both switches utilize different materials for their top housings, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Gold Red features a nylon housing that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK bottom housing that offers smoothness, durability, and a clacky sound signature. While the Gold Red's nylon bottom housing enhances the overall sound experience of the switch, the POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream provides exceptional durability and smoothness, appealing to users looking for a reliable and long-lasting switch.
Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the typing experience. While the Gold Red and Vanilla Ice Cream switches both offer unique qualities in their housing materials, the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you prefer the sharp and resonant sound of the Gold Red with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing or the clacky and durable typing experience of the Vanilla Ice Cream with its KTT blend top housing and POK bottom housing, both switches provide quality options for different typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that they both have the same actuation force of 43 grams. However, the Gold Red has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a bottom out force of 48 grams. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force. The actuation force is crucial for triggering keystrokes efficiently, while the bottom out force determines the overall typing experience. Some users may prefer the lighter bottom out force of the Vanilla Ice Cream for extended typing sessions, while others may lean towards the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Gold Red for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Gold Red switch. The Gold Red switch with its 4 mm travel distance offers a bit more depth when pressing down on the keys, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more substantial feel. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch with its 3.5 mm travel distance provides a quicker response time, which may be preferred by gamers looking for speed and precision. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
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 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Gold Red linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral typing experience with a thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying and moderately deep sound with each press. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch delivers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, offering a clean and sharp sound that is reminiscent of tapping on marble. This distinction in sound profiles allows for a unique auditory experience depending on personal preference, with the Gold Red being more mellow and the Vanilla Ice Cream being more crisp and resonant.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Red linear switch provides a mild and subtle typing experience that is described as silky and polished, offering a smooth and refined keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is characterized by a buttery and creamy typing experience that is smooth and effortless, providing a seamless and uniform sensation with each press. These differences in feel cater to different preferences, with the Gold Red focusing on subtlety and refinement, while the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizes a luxurious and creamy typing experience.
Overall, both the TTC Gold Red and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Gold Red provides a low-pitched and thocky sound with a mild and polished feel, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a high-pitched and resonant sound with a buttery and creamy typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a mellow or crisp sound profile, and a subtle or luxurious typing feel, both switches offer excellent options in the linear switch category. Due to their distinct characteristics, you can expect different but equally satisfying results when typing with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a light-medium level of resistance and a buttery smooth typing experience with a neutral sound profile, the Gold Red may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a remarkably smooth and creamy typing feel with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out with its innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and overall typing experience.
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