TTC Ice vs. Jerrzi Orange
An in-depth look at the TTC Ice and the Jerrzi Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, both the TTC Ice and Jerrzi Orange linear switches offer distinct advantages tailored to different user preferences. The TTC Ice switches are celebrated for their elegant crystal-clear design and smooth, responsive feel, providing a premium typing experience that balances between gaming and everyday tasks. Their satisfying bottom-out sound adds a touch of auditory pleasure to each keystroke, making them ideal for users who seek a refined and polished feel. In contrast, the Jerrzi Orange switches are characterized by their lightweight and clacky nature, providing a lively typing experience that is both easy to press and engaging. The crisp, audible feedback they offer makes them particularly appealing to enthusiasts who thrive on a more vibrant and dynamic interaction with their keyboard. While each switch has its unique strengths—smooth sophistication for the Ice and lively feedback for the Orange—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your individual typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Ice and the Jerrzi Orange switches both feature polycarbonate for their top housings, which leads to a similar sound profile for both models. As indicated, the use of polycarbonate creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, attributed to its stiffer composition. This stiffness allows for a more resonant quality, making the typing experience feel snappier and more pronounced. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances RGB lighting effects, creating vibrant visuals and illuminating the switches effectively. Given that both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, users can expect a similar auditory experience during key releases, with bright sound resonating from the top housing.
In contrast, the bottom housing materials of the TTC Ice and Jerrzi Orange switches diverge significantly. The Ice features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which complements its top housing by reinforcing the sharpness and clarity of the overall sound profile. However, the Jerrzi Orange opts for a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper, fuller sound profile. Nylon’s softer nature allows it to absorb sound more effectively than polycarbonate, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This combination means that while both models deliver a crisp high-end due to their polycarbonate tops, the tactile feedback and overall sound experience will differ when typing, especially upon bottoming out.
In summary, when engaging with these switches, the contrast in bottom housing materials influences the overall auditory experience significantly. While the TTC Ice’s fully polycarbonate build maintains a consistent tonal clarity from top to bottom, the Jerrzi Orange's switch diverges by providing a deeper sound profile from its nylon bottom. Users will notice that the Ice promotes a brighter, more resonant keystroke, while the Orange offers a rounder sound that delivers a different tactile experience. Acknowledging these differences, both switches can achieve desirable results within their respective sound profiles, making each suitable for varying user preferences based on the desired typing feel and auditory feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the TTC Ice linear switch and the Jerrzi Orange linear switch, notable differences emerge. The TTC Ice features a medium actuation force of 45 grams paired with a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a balanced typing experience that accommodates both prolonged typing sessions and gaming. In contrast, the Jerrzi Orange switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, allowing for easier key presses, which can be beneficial for extended use, but lacks a defined bottom out force, making it difficult to gauge the resistance experienced when the key is fully pressed down. This unknown factor leaves a gap in understanding how substantial the typing experience will be when using the Jerrzi Orange. Ultimately, the TTC Ice is the heavier option, ideal for those who prefer a firmer push, while the Jerrzi Orange caters to users who favor a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Ice linear switch and the Jerrzi Orange linear switch, the Ice measures 3.6 mm while the Orange is slightly longer at 3.7 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch that provides a more responsive feel for faster gaming or typing, the shorter 3.6 mm travel of the TTC Ice may be preferable. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more substantial depth and a satisfying press down with your keys, the 3.7 mm travel of the Jerrzi Orange might suit your tastes better. The difference, though minimal, highlights a typical preference where gamers often lean towards shorter travel distances for quick responses, while others appreciate the extra travel for a more traditional feel. Overall, the TTC Ice is the shorter option, and the Jerrzi Orange presents a longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Ice has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice for $5.99.
The Jerrzi Orange has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $2.30.
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 TTC Ice linear switch offers a satisfying bottom-out sound that is perfect for a premium typing experience. However, it doesn’t have specific descriptors indicated in the provided information. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Orange switch is characterized by its clacky nature, producing a crisp and bright sound with each keystroke, which is both lively and engaging for users who enjoy auditory feedback from their switches. This makes the Orange a more vibrant choice for typing or gaming, giving a more pronounced audio experience compared to the Ice, whose sound profile is likely more subtle despite being pleasurable.
Regarding the feel, the TTC Ice switch is known for its smooth and responsive action, ideal for both gaming and everyday tasks; again, the specific quality descriptors are not given. In contrast, the Jerrzi Orange switch is described as feathery and easy to press, requiring light exertion. This lightweight nature significantly reduces finger fatigue, allowing for comfortable extended use. The Ice switch, while potentially smooth and pleasant to type on, lacks the explicitly stated lightweight characteristics of the Orange, which can enhance long typing sessions, making it an excellent option for users who prioritize comfort.
In summary, both the TTC Ice and Jerrzi Orange switches offer unique typing experiences tailored to different preferences. The Ice switch delivers a satisfying performance with a focus on smoothness and responsiveness, while the Orange stands out with its lively clacky sound and lightweight feel. Depending on your priorities—whether you value a more subtle auditory experience and smooth operation or prefer increased sound feedback and reduced effort in key presses—you will find compelling reasons to choose either switch, and they will ensure enjoyable typing results.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Ice linear switch and the Jerrzi Orange linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your typing preferences and the kind of experience you desire from your keyboard. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams that offers a smooth and responsive feel along with a satisfying sound, then the TTC Ice is ideal for you. It’s well-suited for both gaming and everyday typing, providing a more premium experience that you might appreciate in diverse scenarios. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a more vibrant and lively typing experience with a clacky sound profile, the Jerrzi Orange may be your better option. With its lightweight feel and crisp auditory feedback, the Orange switch could be particularly enjoyable for those long typing sessions, making it perfect for enthusiasts who thrive on tactile engagement. Ultimately, your ultimate choice will reflect your personal typing style and whether you lean towards a balanced, smooth experience or a more engaging, tactile sensation.
Mentioned in this article
