KTT Hyacinth vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the KTT Hyacinth and Zuoce Lavender mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to note their unique characteristics and features. The Hyacinth stands out for its 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to provide a comfortable typing experience without the harsh bottoming-out sensation often associated with longer stem switches. With a single-stage elongated spring and a focus on consistent force curve, the Hyacinth offers a neutral, silky, and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Lavender switch from Zuoce is praised for its smoothness and crisp, clacky sound thanks to its proprietary Ly blend. This switch is easy to press and clacky, providing a satisfying typing experience right out of the box. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Hyacinth and Zuoce Lavender both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Hyacinth utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Lavender boasts a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials offer distinct qualities to enhance the typing experience, with polycarbonate providing clarity and resonance, and POM offering a pleasing and unique sound. While the sound profiles differ between the two switches, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either option.
In terms of bottom housing, the Hyacinth features a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Lavender also utilizes a POM bottom housing, creating a similarly deep and muted sound experience. Both materials absorb sound to create a rounder and duller sound, enhancing the overall typing experience for users. The choice between nylon and POM bottom housing ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile, as both materials offer a unique and enjoyable typing experience.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the KTT Hyacinth and Zuoce Lavender offer users a variety of sound profiles to choose from. While the Polycarbonate top housing in the Hyacinth creates a sharper sound compared to the POM top housing in the Lavender, both switches provide a pleasing typing experience. Likewise, the nylon and POM bottom housings offer users a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall feel of typing on these switches. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Hyacinth and Zuoce Lavender linear switches, it is evident that the Hyacinth has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Lavender's 48 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Hyacinth at 56 grams is slightly heavier than the Lavender's 53 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-light category in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for users who prefer a balance between a light typing experience and a substantial push feel. Those who favor a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Hyacinth, while users who prefer a slightly stronger push may opt for the Lavender. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience that caters to a variety of preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both of these switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their faster response times. While the difference between the two distances may seem minimal, it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference - those who prefer a more abrupt feel may opt for the shorter travel distance of the Lavender switch, while others who prefer a slightly deeper press may lean towards the Hyacinth switch. In the case of these two switches, the Hyacinth has a slightly longer travel distance, making it the more traditional choice if depth is a priority. However, in practice, both switches will offer a similar experience due to the minimal 0.1 mm difference in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Hyacinth switch is known for its neutral profile, providing a moderate actuation force requirement and sound profile that suits a variety of users and environments. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switch offers a clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound with each keystroke, resulting in a distinct and satisfying auditory experience. Depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, both switches will deliver unique sound profiles, with the Hyacinth being more versatile and the Lavender offering a more pronounced clacky sound.
In terms of feel, the Hyacinth switch provides a silky typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the subtle resistance of the Hyacinth switch ensures a light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces where loud key presses may be disruptive. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switch is easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches prioritize user comfort and ease of use, with the Hyacinth focusing on smoothness and subtlety while the Lavender emphasizes effortless typing and responsiveness.
In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Hyacinth provides a neutral sound profile and a silky typing experience with subtle resistance, the Lavender delivers a clacky sound signature and an easy-to-press typing feel with minimal resistance. Depending on your preference for sound and typing experience, both switches offer unique benefits that cater to different user needs. Ultimately, whether you choose the Hyacinth or the Lavender switch, you can expect a high-quality typing experience tailored to your individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you prioritize a unique design with a 3.5mm travel distance and a consistent force curve, the Hyacinth might be the right choice for you. Additionally, if you appreciate a silky and subtle typing experience with a moderate sound profile, the Hyacinth could be the ideal fit. On the other hand, if you value exceptional smoothness right out of the box and enjoy a crisp and clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch could be more appealing to you. Furthermore, if you prefer an easy-to-press switch that minimizes finger fatigue during extended typing sessions, the Lavender might be the optimal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific characteristics that align with your typing preferences and overall user experience.
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