KTT Grapefruit vs. HMX Twilight

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, both the KTT Grapefruit and the HMX Twilight offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. The KTT Grapefruit stands out with its soft and light feel, providing a pleasant typing action that's characterized by a low-pitched, neutral sound profile—ideal for users who prefer a gentle touch and have a taste for more subdued acoustics. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight boasts an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which not only contributes to a quieter typing experience but also delivers that signature clacky feel that fans of HMX switches appreciate. While the Grapefruit caters to those who enjoy a smooth, polished response with a softly resonant tone, the Twilight appeals to those looking for a slightly more pronounced feedback and sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that's right for you.

By the numbers

KTT Grapefruit Linear

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.41 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the HMX Twilight, a notable difference lies in their top housings. The Grapefruit features a polycarbonate top housing, celebrated for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This characteristic is primarily due to polycarbonate's rigidity, which enhances sound resonance and clarity, particularly when RGB lighting is employed, thanks to its translucency. In contrast, the Twilight opts for a nylon top housing, a more traditional choice that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon dampens sound transmission, resulting in a rounder and comparatively muted auditory experience. Thus, while the Grapefruit is more likely to deliver a bright and vibrant sound, the Twilight's use of nylon aims for a richer, warmer tone.

The bottom housings of both switches, however, are the same: both the KTT Grapefruit and HMX Twilight use nylon for their lower housings. This shared material contributes to a consistent auditory experience when bottoming out, as nylon's softer composition absorbs sound more effectively, producing a duller and fuller sound profile. This aspect creates a certain level of uniformity in how both switches feel upon actuation, highlighting the fundamental characteristics that nylon brings to the experience. Therefore, though their top housings diverge sharply in material and resulting sound profile, the similarities in the bottom housing provide a cohesive auditory consistency when the keys are pressed.

The interaction between the differing top and identical bottom housings produces a unique blend of sound outcomes in both switches. In the Grapefruit, the bright upper-end resonance from the polycarbonate top contrasts with the deeper sound from the nylon bottom, leading to a distinctly layered auditory experience. On the other hand, the Twilight relies entirely on nylon's softer sound profile, which harmonizes with its bottom housing to create a cohesive sound signature. Overall, while the KTT Grapefruit and HMX Twilight utilize different materials in their top housings, the sameness of their bottom housings contributes a shared acoustic foundation, allowing users to feel and hear the unique qualities of each configuration.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, we see distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Grapefruit requires an actuation force of 45 grams and has a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Twilight switch boasts a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, placing it firmly in the light category. This means that for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Twilight would likely be the more comfortable choice. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may find the slightly heavier Grapefruit switch more satisfying. Overall, while both switches provide a good typing experience, the Grapefruit is slightly heavier than the Twilight, which could influence user preference based on their specific needs.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there is a noticeable difference: the Grapefruit has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Twilight measures 3.85 mm. This makes the Twilight the shorter option, offering a somewhat snappier response time that may appeal to gamers and individuals seeking quicker key presses. In contrast, the KTT Grapefruit, with its longer travel distance, provides a more traditional and substantial feel that some users may prefer for its depth and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches hinges on personal preference—those favoring speed might lean towards the Twilight, while those who appreciate a more pronounced actuation may opt for the Grapefruit.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch offers a low-pitched, neutral tone that leans towards a mellow, baritone timbre. This soft and light audio profile creates a pleasant typing environment that is neither too intrusive nor overly quiet, making it suitable for both home and office settings. The combination of its sound characteristics ensures a versatile experience, allowing users to enjoy a soothing auditory feedback without being overly distracting. In contrast, the HMX Twilight's sound is reported to be slightly quieter overall, thanks to its extended 3.85mm travel distance. Although it retains the clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches, the details about its specific audio profile are less defined. Users can generally expect a sound that complements a variety of setups, but specifics around its tonal qualities are less clear.

In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit is designed to provide a polished typing experience characterized by smooth and refined key action. This results from either high-quality materials or effective factory lubrication, leading to reduced friction and enhanced key travel fluidity. As such, it presents an appealing option for those who prioritize a sleek typing feel. The HMX Twilight, while also a linear switch, does not have distinct characteristics outlined for its tactile feedback, leaving its specific feel characteristics unknown. However, considering the reputation of HMX switches and typical design approaches, one might expect a relatively linear and smooth experience as well.

In conclusion, while both the KTT Grapefruit and HMX Twilight linear switches offer distinct auditory signatures, they cater to different preferences. The Grapefruit excels with its low-pitched, mellow sound and polished feel, ideal for users who seek a balanced auditory environment and tactile smoothness. The Twilight, with a quieter sound and an extended travel distance, may appeal to those who favor a subtler auditory feedback with a potential smooth feel. Users who appreciate similar qualities in linear switches would find that they can achieve satisfying results with either option, though the Grapefruit provides more detailed sound and feel attributes, while the Twilight’s characteristics remain somewhat ambiguous.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Grapefruit and HMX Twilight linear switches, consider the nuances of each switch that align with your typing preferences. If you enjoy a medium-light bottom-out force with a soft, tarty feel and a low-pitched yet polished sound, the KTT Grapefruit is an excellent choice. Its smooth key travel and refined finish make it particularly suited for those who appreciate a tactile yet gentle typing experience, which can be advantageous for long typing sessions or for a more casual feel in both home and work environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 50 grams and appreciate a slightly extended travel distance for quieter typing, the HMX Twilight allows for a distinctive clacky sound while maintaining a satisfying linear response. Its features might be more appealing if you're looking for a playful, responsive typing experience, especially suitable for gaming or creative work. Ultimately, your choice should depend on whether you prioritize a deeper, more resonant sound and feel with the Grapefruit, or the lighter, more extended characteristics of the Twilight.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$3.41 per 10

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HMX Twilight Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more