HMX KD200 vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When choosing between the HMX KD200 and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, both linear switches present unique advantages that cater to different typing preferences and experiences. The HMX KD200 is best known as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family, offering a distinct audible feedback that can enhance your typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a more pronounced sound while they type. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream sets itself apart with its innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, delivering a remarkably smooth and creamy tactile sensation akin to its dessert namesake. This switch not only provides a buttery typing experience but also emits a high-pitched and clacky sound, ensuring it stands out among its counterparts. While the KD200 excels in delivering sharp auditory feedback, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a balanced combination of smoothness and sound resonance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX KD200 Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX KD200 and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches utilize distinct housing materials that contribute to their unique sound signatures and tactile experiences. The KD200 features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to absorb sound and produce a deeper, fuller tone. This classic switch housing material imparts a duller and rounder sound profile, enhancing the auditory feedback received while typing. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream employs a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, which consists of special mixed materials. This blend facilitates a higher-pitched, clackier sound signature, resulting in a noticeably sharper auditory feedback as compared to the KD200’s more subdued characteristics.

Examining the bottom housings reveals further contrasts between the two switches. The KD200’s bottom housing is also made from nylon, maintaining the deeper sound profile associated with its top housing material. This consistency means that the KD200's overall sound will lean towards fullness, with the nylon materials working together to produce a cohesive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK material for its bottom housing, known for its durability and smoothness. The POK bottom housing contributes significantly to the switch's tactile feedback and sound profile, offering a blend of durability and a crisp sound that complements its lightweight and high-pitched top.

While the KD200 and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream incorporate different materials, both switches allow for distinct auditory experiences and tactile feedback based on their housing combinations. The KD200 provides a more homogenous sound experience due to the uniformity of nylon in both top and bottom housings, leading to a deeper and fuller sound throughout. Conversely, the Vanilla Ice Cream's design showcases the individual qualities of its materials, allowing users to experience the smoothness of the POK bottom combined with the clackiness of the KTT top, creating a more pronounced differentiation between the sound produced on the key press and the release. Ultimately, those who prefer a rounded sound may gravitate towards the KD200, while enthusiasts looking for a sharper, clackier experience may favor the Vanilla Ice Cream.

Weight

When comparing the HMX KD200 linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, both exhibit relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for users who prefer a keyboard that allows for prolonged typing sessions. The KD200 has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream features a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. As a result, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is the lighter option, making it ideal for users seeking a more effortless typing experience. In contrast, the KD200 provides a marginally heavier feel, which could appeal to those who prefer a stronger push for more substantial feedback. Despite these differences, both switches can offer similar results in terms of performance and comfort, particularly during extended use, due to their close actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The HMX KD200 linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both share the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that users will experience similar keypress feedback when using either switch, as the distance traveled from the top to the bottom of each switch is identical. Consequently, those seeking a consistent key feel and response in their typing or gaming experience can expect comparable results from both the KD200 and Vanilla Ice Cream switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX KD200 linear switch is touted as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family, which hints at a sharp and lively auditory profile. This contrasts with the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, known for its high-pitched, marbly, and resonant characteristics. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch produces a clean, crisp sound that is reminiscent of a rich auditory experience, akin to the sound of two billiard balls colliding. The combination of these attributes suggests that while both switches may deliver a high-pitched sound, the KD200 leans more towards an audible clackiness, while the Vanilla Ice Cream focuses on a more resonant and refined sound quality, leading to a distinctive auditory experience depending on the user's preference.

Regarding the feel, the KD200 has not been described, leaving its tactile experience largely unknown compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, which is celebrated for its buttery and creamy sensations. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a seamless keystroke experience that feels fluid and effortless, attributed to its unique materials and potentially factory-applied lubrication. This creates a typing sensation where fingers glide smoothly across the keys, characterized by a silky texture akin to melting into each keystroke. Thus, while the feel of the KD200 remains ambiguous, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out in offering a distinctly pleasant touch.

In conclusion, while the HMX KD200 linear switch presents itself as a clackier option with an unknown tactile feedback, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch shines through with its signature smoothness and high-pitched auditory profile. The emphasis on buttery and creamy sensations in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a superior typing experience compared to the KD200, which one might choose for its clacky sound. Both switches cater to different preferences, emphasizing how sound and feel can personalize a mechanical keyboard. Users looking for a crisp auditory response may appreciate the clack of the KD200, while those valuing a smooth, creamy typing experience will likely gravitate towards the Vanilla Ice Cream.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX KD200 linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch should ultimately depend on your personal preferences in both sound and feel. If you gravitate towards a more clacky and resonant auditory experience, the KD200 with its reputation as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family would likely suit you better. Its slightly higher bottom-out force of 50 grams also means it provides a tactile feedback that some users appreciate, especially during intense typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery and creamy typing sensation that feels smooth and effortless, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is particularly appealing. Its unique POK material contributes significantly to its silky feel and high-pitched sound profile, which can be a delightful choice for writers and gamers seeking an immersive experience. Ultimately, consider what aspects are most important to you—whether it's the satisfying clack of the KD200 or the smooth glide of the Vanilla Ice Cream—as both switches have their unique charm and can enhance your keyboard experience in different ways.

Mentioned in this article

HMX KD200 Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more