KTT Grapefruit vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the KTT Grapefruit, a linear switch, and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade), a tactile switch. The KTT Grapefruit switches are known for their soft and light feel, along with a "baritone" sound profile. On the other hand, the Moyu Blacks offer a sharp tactile feel and a rare typing experience with a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing. What sets them apart is the even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. While the Grapefruit switches provide a smooth and polished typing experience, the Moyu Blacks offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience with their sharp, short, snappy sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 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
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) differ significantly. The Grapefruit features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the Grapefruit's translucent polycarbonate top housing is particularly useful for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes a PBT top housing that offers a more neutral sound profile. While it is not as crisp as polycarbonate, it also does not produce a dull sound.
Both switches share a similarity in their bottom housings. The Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade)'s PBT bottom housing both contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, the reasons behind this differ. The softer nylon material of the Grapefruit absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, PBT is relatively unseen in switch housings and offers a more neutral sound profile. Neither the Grapefruit's nylon nor the Moyu Black (Dark Jade)'s PBT bottom housing provide a particularly crisp or dull sound.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by the different housing materials are distributed between the top and bottom housings of each switch. When pressing down a key, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice between the Grapefruit and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) will depend on whether a sharper and crisper sound with RGB lighting capabilities or a more neutral sound profile is desired.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, there are distinct differences. The Grapefruit has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke with a gentle touch. In contrast, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, providing a slightly firmer push feel during typing.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Grapefruit has a force of 53 grams, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) requires 67 grams to fully bottom out. This means that the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) necessitates more pressure to fully depress the key, resulting in a more substantial typing experience.
In terms of weight, the Grapefruit offers a lighter feel overall due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This feature can be advantageous for individuals who prefer lighter switches, as it allows for longer typing or gaming sessions without excessive fatigue. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a heavier typing experience, which may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push and a more tactile feedback while typing.
Therefore, while the actuation forces differ slightly, resulting in varied trigger sensitivities, both switches provide their own unique typing experiences. The Grapefruit offers a lighter touch for comfortable and prolonged typing, whereas the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a heavier and more pronounced tactile feedback for individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is equal, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, regardless of whether you choose the Grapefruit or the Moyu Black, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance experienced when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.
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 KTT Grapefruit linear switch produces a low-pitched sound profile. This gives it a bass-heavy and mellow tone, providing a soothing auditory experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offers a resonant sound profile. This means that it has a higher-pitched sound, delivering a clean and sharp auditory feedback. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that can enhance the typing experience. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch is described as polished. This indicates that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The reduced friction and smooth key travel contribute to a comfortable typing feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is described as accented and sharp. The accented tactile feel means that it provides a notable amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The sharp tactile bump adds intensity to the feedback, allowing users to feel the actuation point distinctly with each keypress. These qualities create a satisfying and impactful typing experience.
In conclusion, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Grapefruit excels in providing a soft and light linear feel with a low-pitched sound profile. It offers a polished and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) stands out with its sharp and accented tactile feel, accompanied by a resonant and sharp sound profile. Both switches offer unique and premium typing experiences, catering to different preferences. Whether you prefer a linear or tactile feel, the available information suggests that you can expect satisfying results from either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a soft and light linear switch that provides a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Grapefruit is an excellent choice. These switches have a unique "baritone" sound profile and offer a smooth and refined typing experience. They are suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether you plan to use them at home or work. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is the way to go. These switches feature both a strong downstroke and an even stronger upstroke tactile bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. They have a sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound profile, which is clean and sharp. Overall, the Moyu Blacks offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you desire.