TTC Ice vs. KTT Purple Star

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between TTC Ice and KTT Purple Star can greatly influence your typing experience. The TTC Ice stands out with its striking crystal-clear design and offers a smooth, responsive feel accompanied by a satisfying clack as you type. This switch is favored by those who appreciate a more tactile auditory feedback during gaming or everyday use, making it a delightful choice for clacky switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star is designed with an all-POM construction that ensures a buttery smooth typing experience, ideal for those who want a quieter setup. Its lighter 45g bottom-out force makes it particularly appealing for lighter typists, providing ease and comfort with every keystroke. While the Ice draws in users with its visual appeal and engaging sound profile, the Purple Star attracts those who prioritize a smooth, low-pitched response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

TTC Ice Linear

KTT Purple Star Linear

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

$4.88 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The TTC Ice utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a distinctive sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate allows for greater resonance, enhancing clarity in the auditory feedback and enabling users to experience a pronounced and lively sound that many typists and gamers appreciate. Additionally, the clear nature of polycarbonate adds an aesthetic advantage, especially in RGB-lit keyboards, where the illumination can shine through beautifully, making the lighting effects more vibrant and pronounced.

In contrast, the KTT Purple Star employs POM for both its top and bottom housings, leading to a significantly different sound profile. POM is known for producing a deeper, more muted sound, creating a softer auditory experience compared to the Ice's vibrant feedback. While the Purple Star's sound may be less piercing, it is characterized as incredibly pleasing and unique, appealing to those who prefer a more subdued keypress experience. The material properties of POM tend to absorb some of the sounds, contributing to a distinct tactile experience that differs from the polycarbonate sound signature.

When comparing these two switches, it becomes evident that the materials used for the housing significantly influence both the sound profile and tactile feedback. The Ice's consistent use of polycarbonate creates a cohesive auditory experience throughout the keystroke, while the Purple Star's POM creates a contrasting effect, emphasizing a different range of auditory qualities. If a switch incorporated both materials within a single housing configuration, users would simultaneously experience the sharp clarity of polycarbonate and the deeper, more muted characteristics of POM, leading to a rich and multifaceted sound profile. Thus, while both switches offer unique auditory experiences, they ultimately cater to different preferences in tactile and aural feedback.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the TTC Ice linear switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, we can see notable differences in both metrics. The TTC Ice has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, categorizing it as a medium switch. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star is lighter, featuring an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, placing it in the light category. This means that while both switches require a relatively moderate force to actuate, the Purple Star offers an easier push, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons where fatigue might be a concern. Conversely, the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Ice switch deliver a more substantial feel, which may appeal to users looking for more tactile feedback. Overall, those who prefer lighter switches should lean toward the Purple Star, while those who enjoy a firmer typing sensation might find the TTC Ice more satisfying.

Travel distance

The TTC Ice linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Purple Star linear switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you prioritize responsiveness in your typing or gaming experience, the Purple Star may offer a slight edge due to its shorter travel distance, facilitating quicker key presses. Conversely, the TTC Ice switch, with its longer 3.6 mm travel distance, may provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper and more pronounced keystroke. Overall, while both switches present a modern approach to travel distances, the Ice is the longer option and caters to those who favor a bit more depth, whereas the Purple Star is the shorter choice, ideal for enhanced responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TTC Ice linear switch provides a distinctively clacky character, producing a sharp and crisp bottom-out noise that adds a lively auditory element to your typing experience. This bright and percussive sound can be quite satisfying, especially for those who appreciate a more engaging acoustic feedback while gaming or typing. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star switches favor a low-pitched, bass-heavy sound that offers a more mellow and neutral auditory profile. While the Ice produces a dynamic and snappy tone, the Purple Star's low-pitched sound might be more subtle and less intrusive, appealing to users who prefer a quieter typing environment. Keep in mind that the perceived sound will also rely heavily on other factors like your choice of keyboard and keycaps.

In terms of feel, the Ice switch is characterized by its feathery touch, requiring minimal effort for actuation. This lightness not only enhances comfort during extended typing sessions but also reduces the potential for finger fatigue, making it an ideal choice for both gaming and everyday tasks. On the other hand, the Purple Star switches offer a mild and gentle typing experience, which is approachable for many users. They feature ease of actuation, ensuring that presses feel effortless and comfortable. While both switches are designed for light typing, the Ice focuses more on a feather-like lightness, whereas the Purple Star provides a comforting middle-ground sensation that appeals to users who may want a bit more resistance without compromising ease of use.

In conclusion, both the TTC Ice and KTT Purple Star switches provide exceptional typing experiences tailored to different preferences. The Ice's clacky sound and feathery feel cater to users looking for an engaging and ultra-light performance, while the Purple Star offers a mellow audio experience combined with a mild, easy-to-press action that's comfortable for extensive use. While they diverge in both sound and feel, you'll still find that each has its own merits, making either choice a solid addition to a mechanical keyboard setup, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Ice linear switches and the KTT Purple Star linear switches, consider your typing style and preferences. If you prefer a switch that offers a balanced and responsive feel with a pronounced clack at bottom-out, the TTC Ice switches are an excellent choice. Their medium 60-gram actuation force provides sufficient resistance, making them suitable for both gaming and daily typing tasks, while the feathery touch helps minimize finger fatigue during longer sessions. On the other hand, if you tend to favor a gentle and effortless typing experience, the KTT Purple Star switches, with their lightweight 50-gram bottom-out force, are likely a better fit. Their low-pitched sound signature and buttery smooth operation make them incredibly comfortable for those who type lightly or engage in extended use without straining their fingers. Ultimately, the decision boils down to whether you value a slightly firmer, more tactile typing experience or a lighter, more subdued one, helping you to tailor your mechanical keyboard to your unique preferences.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Ice Linear

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

Learn more

KTT Purple Star Linear

$4.88 per 10

Learn more