TTC Honey vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and the Cherry MX Red both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The TTC Honey switch is praised for its smooth and creamy feel, creating a frictionless and buttery typing experience. Its deep and pleasant sound profile adds to the overall typing satisfaction. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch is a classic option known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience with a satisfying auditory depth. While the Honey switch leans towards a more subdued and creamy typing experience, the MX Red switch offers a thocky and low-pitched feel with a textured touch. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Honey and Cherry MX Red switches, we can see that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Honey switch features a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, especially when combined with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the MX Red switch uses a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. While the top housing of both switches serves to impact the sound when a key is released, the material differences result in distinct auditory experiences for users.
In terms of the bottom housing, the TTC Honey switch also incorporates a polycarbonate material, offering a similar sharp and resonant sound profile as its top housing. In contrast, the MX Red switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a rounder, duller sound profile. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to the overall typing experience, affecting the impact and sound when keys are pressed down. Despite the differences in material, both switches aim to provide a satisfying tactile and auditory experience for users, albeit through distinct mechanisms.
Overall, the choice of housing material in mechanical switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of typing. While the TTC Honey and Cherry MX Red switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the Honey switch offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile compared to the MX Red's nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the bottom housing materials of polycarbonate in the Honey switch and nylon in the MX Red switch create differences in the typing experience, impacting the sound and feel when pressing down on keys. Ultimately, the housing materials of these switches contribute to their unique characteristics and appeal to users seeking specific tactile and auditory feedback.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, it is clear that the Honey is the lighter option. The TTC Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Cherry MX Red has an actuation force of 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the MX Red is unknown. When it comes to weight preferences, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Honey for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may lean towards the heavier push feel of the MX Red for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, the Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the MX Red has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular with gamers looking for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance may not be significant to most users, but for those who prefer a slightly longer travel distance, the MX Red may be the better option. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to more traditional switches, providing a quicker typing experience for users.
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 Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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 more subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch produces a thocky and low-pitched sound, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying auditory experience. These differences in sound profiles can greatly impact the overall typing experience, depending on individual preferences and the specific setup of the keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the TTC Honey linear switch is known for its creamy and frictionless feel, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory and specific materials used in the switch. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch is described as textured, which means it may have noticeable friction when pressed, providing a different tactile feedback compared to the Honey switch. The choice between a smoother, more polished feel of the Honey switch and the textured feel of the MX Red switch ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Honey switch provides a subdued sound and a creamy, buttery feel, the MX Red switch offers a thocky, low-pitched sound and a textured typing experience. Both switches provide a linear typing experience, which means you'll get similar results in terms of actuation force and switch travel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider the specific characteristics of each switch. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth, creamy typing experience with a pleasant sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel, a deeper sound profile, and a more textured typing experience, the Cherry MX Red linear switch could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience.
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