KTT Grapefruit vs. Outemu Silent White

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing or gaming experience, both the KTT Grapefruit and Outemu Silent White linear switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The KTT Grapefruit stands out with its soft and light feel, providing a smooth typing experience enhanced by a unique "baritone" sound profile that delivers an enjoyable acoustic feedback without being overly loud. This makes it an appealing choice for those who prioritize a tactile experience while maintaining some ambient noise. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switches are designed to be quiet, making them ideal for environments where minimizing noise is crucial, such as shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions. While both switches share the linear characteristic that ensures a consistent keystroke without tactile bumps, the tonal differences and design intentions create a varied experience for users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Grapefruit Linear

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.41 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Grapefruit and the Outemu Silent White switches share notable similarities in their housing materials, particularly in the top housing, which is composed of polycarbonate. Both switches benefit from the inherent properties of polycarbonate, which promotes a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to its stiffness, polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant audio experience, enhancing the overall acoustic feedback when typing. Moreover, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an appealing choice for users who wish to integrate RGB lighting into their keyboard setups, as it allows light to shine through effectively, creating a visually striking effect.

However, the switches diverge in their bottom housing materials, with both the KTT Grapefruit and the Outemu Silent White employing nylon. This classic switch housing material plays a crucial role in shaping the typing experience by producing a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, which culminates in a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out. Consequently, while both switches provide a refined auditory experience through their respective top housings, the nylon bottom housing uniquely influences how the sound is characterized during the act of typing.

In terms of overall performance, the combined properties of the polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings for both switches result in a balanced musicality. Since both switches utilize the same materials for their top and bottom housings, users can expect similar auditory results from both the Grapefruit and the Silent White. The polycarbonate top contributes brightness and clarity, while the nylon bottom adds warmth and depth, allowing for a harmonized experience when typing. While differences in user preference may dictate the choice of switch, the fundamental acoustic attributes remain comparably robust due to the congruent material compositions.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, both exhibit the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning users will experience a similar feel when initiating a keystroke, making them suitable for long typing sessions without significant fatigue. However, the two switches differ in their bottom out forces; the Grapefruit has a bottom out force of 53 grams, whereas the Silent White has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This difference means that while both switches are equally light in terms of actuation, the Silent White provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottoming out sensation. Consequently, users who prefer a lighter overall feel should opt for the KTT Grapefruit, while those who enjoy a firmer push may find the Outemu Silent White to be more satisfying.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, the Grapefruit stands out with a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent White offers a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This difference reflects their design philosophies, with the Grapefruit catering to those who favor a more substantial keystroke that provides a deeper feel during typing or gaming. In contrast, the Silent White, with its shallower 3.3 mm travel, is aligned with the trend towards faster response times, making it a suitable choice for gamers who value quick actuation. Ultimately, if you prefer a more pronounced feedback and depth with each keystroke, the KTT Grapefruit's 4 mm distance may be more appealing, whereas the Outemu Silent White is ideal for those who appreciate the quickness that comes with a shorter travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch stands out with a low-pitched and neutral tone, offering a subtly deep sound profile. This low-pitched characteristic gives it a mellow quality that can be more pleasant, especially in quieter environments where a less intrusive sound is appreciated. The neutral aspect of its sound further broadens its appeal, making it a suitable choice for various settings, whether you're using it for gaming or typists for work. In contrast, the Outemu Silent White linear switch lacks a descriptive sound profile, leaving its auditory characteristics less defined. However, like the Grapefruit switches, the sound experience will ultimately depend on factors like the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Grapefruit switch is noted for its polished finish, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. This polished texture leads to reduced friction and a seamless key travel, allowing for comfortable and flowing keystrokes whether you're typing quickly or at a more leisurely pace. The Outemu Silent White linear switch offers no specific details regarding its tactile feel, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison. However, it's worth noting that linear switches generally provide a consistent and smooth keystroke, so one might expect a reasonable level of comfort and fluidity when using it as well.

In conclusion, the KTT Grapefruit switch is particularly noted for its low-pitched sound and polished feel, making it an appealing option for users who appreciate a smooth and refined typing experience alongside a mellow auditory profile. On the other hand, while the Silent White switch lacks specific qualities to compare against, it still falls within the linear switch category, promising a smooth keystroke that many find agreeable. Ultimately, if sound and feel are high priorities, the Grapefruit is a clear choice; however, both switches may provide similar typing experiences, particularly if one values the trait of consistent key travel characteristic of linear switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the KTT Grapefruit and Outemu Silent White linear switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using them. If you appreciate a softer and lighter feel with a unique, low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Grapefruit is likely the better choice for you. With its medium-light 53g bottom-out force, you may find it perfectly suited for a casual typing experience, suitable for both gaming and everyday tasks. Additionally, the polished smoothness of the Grapefruit enhances the overall tactile pleasure, making it a delightful option for lengthy typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer 60g bottom-out force and value a more neutral sound profile, you might lean toward the Outemu Silent White switch. While it may lack the distinctive sound character of the Grapefruit, its medium resistance may cater to those who do a lot of typing in a professional environment where noise levels need to be kept in check. In essence, both switches cater to different needs, and understanding your priorities—be it sound, feel, or actuation force—will guide you in making the right choice for your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$3.41 per 10

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Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more