KTT Grapefruit vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Grapefruit and the SP-Star Polaris Purple are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches with unique qualities and characteristics. The KTT Grapefruit is a linear switch, known for its soft and light feel, offering a smooth typing experience. With a "baritone" sound profile that is not yet "bass" deep, the Grapefruit provides a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple is a tactile switch, featuring a big tactile bump that delivers an exhilarating typing experience. This switch offers a snappy sound profile. While both switches fall under the "Polished" category and share a "Neutral" switch feel, they differ in terms of pitch and intensity. The Grapefruit is low-pitched and has a more subdued feel, while the Polaris Purple has a mild intensity. These general features may help guide your decision, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The KTT Grapefruit and the SP-Star Polaris Purple both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both the Grapefruit and the Polaris Purple's top housings.
However, while the Grapefruit features a nylon bottom housing, the Polaris Purple utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. This difference in material leads to variations in sound profiles. The Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing, thanks to its relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The bottom housing has a bigger impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a different tactile experience between the two switches.
In summary, the polycarbonate top housing of the KTT Grapefruit and the SP-Star Polaris Purple provides them with similar sound profiles, characterized by sharpness, high-pitches, and crispness. However, the choice of housing material for their bottom housings creates differences in sound and feel. The Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing adds to the sharp and crisp sound. These variations make each switch unique in its tactile experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Grapefruit has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light feel, while the Polaris Purple's actuation force is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Grapefruit requires 53 grams to fully depress the key, which also falls under the medium-light category. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Grapefruit switch would be a suitable choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for longer typing sessions without excessive fatigue. Conversely, individuals seeking a more substantial push feel might prefer the Polaris Purple switch due to its heavier bottom out force. The unknown actuation force of the Polaris Purple switch makes it difficult to draw a direct comparison, but it is likely to require more force than the Grapefruit.
Overall, whether one prefers the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Grapefruit or the heavier bottom out force of the Polaris Purple, weight is an important consideration. Choosing a switch with a force that aligns with personal preferences can enhance both work efficiency and gaming performance, ensuring a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch have a similar travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance travel for both switches. Therefore, whether you choose the Grapefruit or the Polaris Purple, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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
The KTT Grapefruit linear switch is known for its soft and light feel, providing a unique typing experience. The sound profile of the Grapefruit is described as "baritone," but not yet "bass," meaning it has a deep and mellow tone. The low-pitched sound of the Grapefruit switch offers a more bass-heavy and relaxed sound compared to higher-pitched switches. Overall, the sound of the Grapefruit switch is neutral, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is famous for its exhilarating tactile typing experience. The big tactile bump on these switches provides a pronounced tactile feedback, giving a satisfying feel while typing. The sound profile of the Polaris Purple switch is described as snappy, suggesting a quick and responsive sound. Similar to the Grapefruit switch, the sound of the Polaris Purple switch is also neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments.
Both switches offer a polished feel, indicating that they have a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The polished nature of these switches enhances their overall feel, providing a satisfying typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Grapefruit linear switch and the Polaris Purple tactile switch have their own unique qualities, they share some similarities. Both switches have a neutral sound profile that suits various users and environments. Additionally, they both offer a polished feel, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Whether you prefer a softer linear switch or a more pronounced tactile switch, both options are excellent choices that will deliver satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a soft and light typing experience along with a lower-pitched, mellow sound profile, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches have a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a comfortable and effortless typing feel. Additionally, the Grapefruit switches are polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, if you prefer a more exhilarating tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is a great option. These switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, offering a satisfying tactile bump while typing. Furthermore, the Polaris Purple switches are also polished, ensuring a sleek and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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