KTT Grapefruit vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Grapefruit and TTC Venus both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Grapefruit is celebrated for its soft and light linear feel, coupled with a distinctive "baritone" sound profile. In contrast, the Venus stands out for its innovative internal design, providing a seamless glide and a captivating "Q-texture" sensation during key presses. While the Grapefruit is categorized as low-pitched and neutral, the Venus offers a variety of descriptors including buttery, gummy, and thocky. Both switches promise a polished typing experience, but the Venus's effortless actuation and muted sound signature add an extra layer of appeal. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the TTC Venus, we can see significant differences in their top housing components. The Grapefruit utilizes polycarbonate in its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Venus employs POM in its top housing, offering a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can greatly impact the overall sound experience of a switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, we find another set of distinctions between the Grapefruit and the Venus. The Grapefruit features a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Venus utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which offers a sharper and clearer sound profile. These differences showcase how the bottom housing material can significantly influence the tactile feedback and sound experience of a switch.
While the housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the TTC Venus differ in both the top and bottom components, they both aim to enhance the overall sound profile of the switch. The Grapefruit's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing creates a unique balance of sharpness and depth in its sound profile. Meanwhile, the Venus's use of POM top housing and polycarbonate bottom housing provides a contrasting experience with deeper and clearer tones. Despite these variations, both switches prioritize sound quality and offer users a distinct auditory experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Grapefruit has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Venus has a bottom out force of 52 grams. This makes the Venus slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force.
In terms of weight, both switches fall into the medium-light category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience to allow for longer typing sessions, both switches would be suitable options. However, for users who prefer a slightly stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the TTC Venus with its slightly lower bottom out force may be the preferred choice.
Overall, both the KTT Grapefruit and TTC Venus linear switches offer a similar actuation force and comparable bottom out force, making them suitable options for those looking for a medium-light switch for their keyboard.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch is 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Grapefruit being slightly longer than the Venus. Gamers may lean towards the Venus switch for its slightly shorter travel distance, which can lead to faster response times during gameplay. However, those who prefer a more substantial key press may prefer the Grapefruit switch for its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 offers a low-pitched and neutral profile, providing a mellow and moderate sound suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch delivers a low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound with a thocky element, creating a softer and more engaging auditory experience. Both switches have unique sound signatures that cater to different preferences, with the Grapefruit focusing on a lighter tone while the Venus offers a deeper and more subdued sound.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and sleek key travel. In contrast, the TTC Venus switch is characterized by a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished feel, providing a seamless, effortless, and gentle typing sensation that minimizes resistance and maximizes comfort. Both switches excel in providing a unique and enjoyable feel while typing, with the Venus emphasizing a more fluid and uniform experience compared to the Grapefruit.
In conclusion, while the KTT Grapefruit and TTC Venus linear switches differ in sound and feel, they both showcase innovative designs and qualities that cater to varying preferences. The Grapefruit emphasizes a lighter and softer sound with a polished typing feel, while the Venus offers a deeper and more engaging sound with a buttery and gummy typing sensation. Whether you opt for the Grapefruit or Venus, both switches promise a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience, with similar high-quality results achieved through their distinct characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in sound and feel, ensuring that every keystroke is tailored to meet your individual needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the KTT Grapefruit linear switch or the TTC Venus linear switch, your decision may come down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and a sound profile that is low-pitched and neutral, the Grapefruit may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smoother, buttery feel with a lighter actuation force and a sound profile that is low-pitched, muted, and thocky, the Venus may be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so it's important to consider what attributes are most important to you when making your decision.
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