TTC Honey vs. HC Studio Roselle
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the HC Studio Roselle switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and HC Studio Roselle both offer a linear typing experience, but with unique characteristics that set them apart. The Honey is praised for its smooth and creamy feel, accompanied by a deep and pleasant sound profile. On the other hand, the Roselle is celebrated for its inherent material blend that provides an incredibly smooth and ethereal typing experience, along with a subtle low-pitched sound signature. While the Honey is categorized as 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Buttery', the Roselle is described as 'Bassy', 'Low-pitched', and 'Neutral'. Each switch offers its own set of qualities that may appeal to different preferences and typing styles. 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
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
20.5mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the HC Studio Roselle, one key difference lies in the material used for the top housing. The Honey utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Roselle features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in sound profiles may appeal to different preferences, with the polycarbonate providing a clearer and resonant sound, while the POM offers a more subtle and pleasing tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Honey and the Roselle use different materials as well. The Honey incorporates polycarbonate for its bottom housing, contributing to the same sharp and crisp sound profile found in the top housing. In contrast, the Roselle features a POM bottom housing, which also adds to the deeper and more muted sound signature of the switch. This variation in bottom housing material further distinguishes the sound produced by each switch, with the polycarbonate emphasizing clarity and resonance, and the POM emphasizing depth and richness in sound.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for switches like the TTC Honey and HC Studio Roselle plays a significant role in determining the sound profile experienced by users. While both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, the polycarbonate used in the Honey results in a consistently sharp and crisp sound, whether in the top or bottom housing. In contrast, the POM material in the Roselle contributes to a more subdued and pleasing sound profile, creating a deeper and more muted tone overall. Ultimately, the housing materials chosen for these switches cater to different preferences, with the Honey providing a clear and resonant sound, and the Roselle offering a deeper and more relaxed auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Honey linear switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, we can see that the Honey is lighter in both aspects. The Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Roselle has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light typing experience, but the Roselle is slightly heavier than the Honey. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Honey for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may enjoy the slightly heavier feel of the Roselle for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their relatively light actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, slightly longer than the HC Studio Roselle linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different feel when typing or gaming. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Honey switch may be the way to go, while those who enjoy a bit more depth in their keystrokes may prefer the Roselle switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a modern design with shorter travel distances that cater to different preferences.
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 HC Studio Roselle has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Roselle for $4.70.
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
The TTC Honey linear switch is known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a pleasant typing experience. In terms of sound, the Honey switch offers a subdued sound profile, offering a more subtle and dampened sound compared to other switches. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle linear switch is praised for its impossibly smooth feel, delivering a frictionless typing experience. The Roselle switch is described as having a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, giving a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
When comparing the subjective qualities of the two switches, the Honey switch provides a smooth and creamy feel with a subdued sound profile, while the Roselle switch offers an incredibly smooth feel with a low-pitched and bassy sound signature. Both switches are praised for their frictionless typing experience, making them both excellent choices for users who value smoothness and ease of typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and feel, as both switches offer high-quality performance in their respective qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Honey linear switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth, creamy typing experience with a pleasant sound profile, then the TTC Honey switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and a switch that offers an impossibly smooth and ethereally wispy typing sensation with a subtle, low-pitched sound signature, then the HC Studio Roselle switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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