KTT Hyacinth vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the KTT Hyacinth and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options to consider are the KTT Hyacinth and the Everglide Sakura Pink. Both switches offer their own unique features and benefits that cater to different typing preferences. The Hyacinth stands out with its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, aiming to provide an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. It deviates from the mainstream trend by using a single-stage elongated spring, resulting in a more consistent force curve. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are best known for their super light actuation force of only 35g, perfect for delicate typists. With a gliding-type feel and frictionless operation, they offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightfully poppy sound that adds a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch to suit your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Hyacinth and the Everglide Sakura Pink have some similarities and differences. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly beneficial when using RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both switches' polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Hyacinth and the Sakura Pink differ in material. The Hyacinth utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This brings the same benefits of sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Therefore, users can expect a slightly different typing experience between the two switches, with the Hyacinth offering a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon bottom housing.
In summary, the top housings of the KTT Hyacinth and the Everglide Sakura Pink are both made of polycarbonate, providing similar sound characteristics and aesthetically pleasing translucency. However, the bottom housings differ, with the Hyacinth employing nylon for a deeper and fuller sound, while the Sakura Pink utilizes polycarbonate for a consistent sharp and clear sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and the desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it is evident that both switches offer a lighter typing experience. However, there is a slight difference in the force required for each switch. The Hyacinth has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Sakura Pink, which has an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Despite this difference, both switches fall within the light category. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Sakura Pink more suitable for their needs, as it requires a lesser force for both actuation and bottoming out. Meanwhile, individuals who desire a slightly more substantial keystroke may opt for the Hyacinth, as it offers a slightly heavier force while still remaining in the light range. Overall, both switches provide a comfortable and efficient typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Hyacinth linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have contrasting travel distances. The Hyacinth has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the more traditional 4 mm travel distance of the Sakura Pink. The Hyacinth's shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink's longer travel distance may be favored by individuals who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 KTT Hyacinth switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level. It is suitable for various purposes and can be used by both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch produces a muted sound. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. It is designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Hyacinth switch offers a silky and subtle typing experience. It provides an exceptionally smooth typing feel, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. It also has a gentle resistance that is not too feather-light, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing experience. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. It has a low actuation force, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue. The switch offers a frictionless and fluid travel, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the KTT Hyacinth and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer different subjective qualities. The Hyacinth switch has a neutral sound profile and offers a silky and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch has a muted sound profile and offers a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing experience. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, and the choice between them would depend on personal preference. However, if you are looking for a similar result in terms of sound and feel, the Sakura Pink switch can provide a smooth and effortless typing experience similar to the Hyacinth switch's silky feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a design focused on tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the KTT Hyacinth would be a great choice for you. With its 3.5mm travel distance and single-stage elongated spring, the Hyacinth offers a consistent force curve and a smooth typing experience. Its sound profile is neutral, making it suitable for various settings. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a feather-light 45g actuation force, the Everglide Sakura Pink would be the better option. These switches provide a smooth and effortless typing experience, with a delightful poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. The Sakura Pink switches are described as buttery and creamy, offering a seamless and low-impact typing feel. They also have a muted sound profile, perfect for minimizing noise in shared spaces. Ultimately, the choice between the Hyacinth and Sakura Pink switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.