TTC Honey vs. Gateron Luciola

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for consideration are the TTC Honey and the Gateron Luciola. The Honey switches are renowned for their smooth and creamy typing experience, providing a frictionless and buttery feel with each keystroke. Additionally, they offer a deep and pleasant sound profile, making for a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the Luciola switches stand out with their eye-catching glowing feature, making them an appealing choice for those who value aesthetics. Alongside their visually appealing aspect, these switches provide a medium heft and a smooth, bouncy typing feel. Their hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile adds a unique touch to the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.

By the numbers

TTC Honey Linear

Gateron Luciola Linear

$9.99

$6.78 per 10

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Luciola switches differ in terms of their composition. The Honey utilizes a polycarbonate material for both its top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a sharper and higher-pitched sound when typing. On the other hand, the Luciola features a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings. This blend gives it a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, which is described as clacky.

In terms of aesthetics, the TTC Honey's polycarbonate top housing offers the advantage of translucency. This allows for the use of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switch. Meanwhile, the Gateron Luciola's INK blend top housing does not offer the same transparency. Therefore, for those looking to enhance their keyboard's appearance with colorful lighting effects, the Honey may be the more suitable option.

When it comes to the impact on the typing experience, both the top and bottom housings play a role. The bottom housing of a switch, which is made from the same material as the top housing, influences the bottom-out sound and feel. As such, whether using the TTC Honey or the Gateron Luciola, the qualities of the bottom housing will contribute to the sensation experienced when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing, although different in material for the two switches, affects the sound that is produced when releasing the key. Therefore, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one prioritizes the sound and feel while pressing the key or when it is released.

In summary, the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Luciola switches differ in their composition and the resulting sound profiles. The Honey's polycarbonate housing offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while the Luciola's proprietary INK blend provides a clacky and thin sound. Additionally, the Honey's polycarbonate top housing allows for the use of RGB lighting, enhancing the keyboard's visual appeal. Meanwhile, both the top and bottom housings contribute to the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch to the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are notable differences in both the actuation force and bottom out force. The Honey switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, while the Luciola has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Honey switch is 50 grams, whereas the Luciola requires 60 grams to bottom out. These variances suggest that the Honey switch would offer a lighter and more effortless typing experience, perfect for extended periods of typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Luciola switch provides a slightly more substantial push feel, catering to those who prefer a stronger tactile feedback during typing. It is worth noting that while the two switches differ in force requirements, they both offer relatively similar results, ensuring that users can still achieve their desired typing experience with either switch.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there is a slight difference in their lengths. The Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Luciola has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have gained popularity in recent times, particularly among gamers looking for faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Luciola with its shorter travel distance would be the better choice. However, it's worth noting that some individuals find short travel distances to be too abrupt, and if you prefer a deeper key press, the Honey with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the typing experience desired.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TTC Honey linear switch is best described as being subdued. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola linear switch has a variety of sound profiles to choose from. It can be clacky, producing a crisp, bright, and percussive sound. It can also be chirpy, with a little squeak to its unique acoustic signature. Additionally, it can be marbly, emitting a resonant, high-pitched, and clean sound similar to tapping on a solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. Lastly, it can be high-pitched, delivering a sharp and crisp sound. It's worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and the keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel, the TTC Honey linear switch is described as having a smooth and creamy typing experience. It offers a silky sensation that feels like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. This smoothness can be attributed to the application of lubricant at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. Additionally, the Honey switch can also be described as frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. It can also be considered buttery, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Moreover, the Honey switch is subtle in its resistance, providing a lighter typing feel without being feather-light. The sound signature is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. Furthermore, a polished finish contributes to the incredible feel of the Honey switch, reducing friction and providing a sleek typing experience.

As for the Gateron Luciola linear switch, it shares some similarities in feel with the Honey switch. It can also be described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Luciola switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Much like the Honey switch, a polished finish contributes to its smooth and refined typing experience, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Additionally, the Luciola switch can be considered snappy, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs that make the typing experience feel more alive.

In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch exhibit different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Honey switch offers a smooth and creamy typing experience with a subdued sound profile. On the other hand, the Luciola switch presents various sound profiles such as clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. Both switches share a buttery and polished feel, delivering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. By choosing either switch, you can expect similar results in terms of feel, but the sound profile will differ significantly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a light switch with a smooth and creamy typing feel, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a suitable choice for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, making them easy to actuate. Additionally, the Honey switches provide a deep and pleasant sound profile, enhancing your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with eye-catching aesthetics, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches offer a smooth and bouncy typing feel. The Luciola switches are also unique as they glow in the dark, adding a visually appealing aspect to your keyboard. In terms of sound, Honey switches have a subdued profile, while Luciola switches can be described as clacky, chirpy, marbly, or high-pitched. Regarding the feel, Honey switches are known for being creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, or polished, while Luciola switches are snappy, buttery, or polished. Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Honey and Gateron Luciola switches depends on your preference for switch weight, sound profile, and typing feel.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Honey Linear

$9.99

$6.78 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more