TTC Honey vs. HMX Lotus
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the HMX Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the TTC Honey linear switch and the HMX Lotus linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The TTC Honey is praised for its smooth and creamy feel, along with a deep and pleasant sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a subdued, buttery typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Lotus switch boasts a medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bright, resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling that enhances every keystroke. While the Honey switch is characterized by terms like 'Subdued' and 'Creamy', the Lotus switch doesn't have specific categories assigned to it, indicating a different typing experience altogether. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the HMX Lotus differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Honey utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Lotus features nylon for both the top and bottom housings, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. These differences in material properties lead to distinct typing experiences for users of each switch.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the TTC Honey and the HMX Lotus share similarities in their housing compositions. The polycarbonate top housing of the Honey and the nylon top housing of the Lotus both influence the sound profile of the switches when keys are released. The translucency of polycarbonate in the Honey allows for RGB lighting effects, while the classic nylon material of the Lotus provides a timeless aesthetic. Additionally, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey and the nylon bottom housing of the Lotus impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches when keys are pressed, albeit with different characteristics due to the stiffness of polycarbonate and the softness of nylon.
Overall, the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the HMX Lotus play a crucial role in shaping the sound profiles and typing experiences of these switches. The polycarbonate and nylon materials offer unique properties that contribute to the switches' overall performance. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with the Honey or a deeper, fuller sound profile with the Lotus, both switches provide distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference for sound profile and typing feel, based on the specific qualities that each housing material brings to the table.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Honey linear switch and the HMX Lotus linear switch, both switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of pressure required to fully depress the key. However, the Honey switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, while the Lotus switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. The difference in actuation force may result in a slightly more responsive typing experience with the Honey switch compared to the Lotus switch. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Honey switch, while those who prefer a slightly heavier force for a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Lotus switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing pressure and responsiveness.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the HMX Lotus linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the HMX Lotus has a slightly shorter distance that the switch travels from top to bottom compared to the TTC Honey. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the HMX Lotus may be the better option for you. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the Lotus to feel too abrupt, in which case the TTC Honey with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable for those looking for a deeper key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Honey linear switch offers a subdued and dampened sound profile when pressed, providing a more subtle sound compared to most switches. On the other hand, the HMX Lotus linear switch is known for its bright and resonant sound, creating a super bouncy feeling that enhances the keystroke experience. The sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used, so it's essential to consider the overall setup when evaluating the sound quality of these switches.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the TTC Honey linear switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience that feels like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. It is also known to be frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing sensation with fluid key travel. Additionally, the Honey switch is characterized as buttery, subtle, and polished, all contributing to a sleek and refined typing experience. As for the HMX Lotus linear switch, information on its specific feel descriptors is not provided, but given its medium weight of 50g bottom out, it likely offers a versatile and comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch and the HMX Lotus linear switch both offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. While the Honey switch provides a creamy and smooth typing experience with a subdued sound profile, the Lotus switch offers a bright and resonant sound with potentially bouncy keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound feedback, key feel, and overall typing experience. Nevertheless, both switches are likely to deliver satisfactory results in terms of performance and tactile feedback for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Honey linear switch and the HMX Lotus linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a smooth and creamy feel with a deep sound profile, the Honey may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy feeling with a bright, resonant sound, the Lotus switch from HMX could be more to your liking. Both switches offer a light bottom out force of 50 grams, so your decision can truly come down to personal preference in terms of feel and sound. Ultimately, whether you choose the Honey or the Lotus, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch.
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