KTT Grapefruit vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Grapefruit and Everglide Sakura Pink are two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, each with their own unique features and advantages. The Grapefruit switches are renowned for their soft and light feel, giving typists a comfortable typing experience. With a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, they offer a pleasant auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are known for their feather-light 35g actuation force, making them ideal for typists who prefer a delicate touch. These switches provide a smooth and effortless typing experience, thanks to their gliding type feel and frictionless operation. Moreover, the Sakura Pink switches produce a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, which adds 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 your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Sakura Pink share many similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, a relatively stiffer plastic, enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, both switches' top housing materials are translucent, making them ideal for those who plan to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup.
However, the bottom housing materials of these two switches differ. The Grapefruit utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on the Grapefruit, with its nylon bottom housing, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, aligning with the characteristics of the top housing.
When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become evident. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, affecting the overall typing experience. In contrast, the top housing's impact is more noticeable when releasing a key, influencing the sound that is produced.
In summary, although the KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Sakura Pink share similar characteristics with their polycarbonate top housings, their differing bottom housing materials - nylon and polycarbonate, respectively - result in distinct sound profiles. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. However, both switches offer unique features and benefits for users seeking a specific sound profile and aesthetic appeal.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it becomes evident that the Sakura Pink is the lighter option. The Sakura Pink has an actuation force of 35 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke compared to the Grapefruit's 45-gram actuation force. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Sakura Pink is 45 grams, which is lighter than the Grapefruit's 53 grams. This means that the Sakura Pink provides a lighter and more effortless typing experience. However, if one prefers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, they may opt for the Grapefruit switch with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches allow for efficient typing, but the Sakura Pink is the lighter option, making it suitable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm. This means that they both travel a distance of 4mm from the top to the bottom when pressed down. Therefore, when it comes to the travel distance, both switches will provide similar results and offer the same tactile experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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 best known for its soft and light feel, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. It is described as having a "baritone" sound profile, which means it produces a deep and mellow tone, although not quite as bass-heavy as some other switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is famous for its super light actuation force of 35g, making it perfect for delicate typists. It offers a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, resulting in a seamless and uniform typing sensation. The Sakura Pink switch produces a delightfully poppy sound, akin to the sound of popping bubble wrap, which adds a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions.
When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit switch has a low-pitched sound profile, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, the Sakura Pink switch is described as producing a muted sound, which means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit switch is referred to as polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch is described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, providing a silky sensation. The Sakura Pink switch is also easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches offer a frictionless typing experience, ensuring a fluid travel without any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys.
In conclusion, the KTT Grapefruit and Everglide Sakura Pink switches have unique subjective qualities. The Grapefruit switch provides a soft and light feel with a "baritone" sound profile, while the Sakura Pink switch offers a feather-light actuation force, a gliding type feel, and a poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. While they both have their distinctive characteristics, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, you can expect similar results from either switch due to their polished or buttery feel. However, it's important to consider personal preferences and factors such as keycap and keyboard board choice, as they can also contribute to the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a soft and light typing experience with a silky smooth feel, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch would be the better choice for you. With a bottom out force of 53 grams, these Grapefruit switches offer a medium-light resistance, allowing for comfortable typing sessions without much finger fatigue. The Grapefruit switch also produces a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter actuation force and a quieter typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, these Sakura Pink switches are perfect for delicate typists who prefer minimal resistance during key presses. The Sakura Pink switch produces a muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Overall, both switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience, but the Grapefruit is slightly heavier and has a deeper sound profile, while the Sakura Pink is lighter and provides a quieter typing experience. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Mentioned in this article
