Keygeek Keylin vs. KTT Mint

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Keygeek Keylin and KTT Mint stand out as exemplary linear options, each offering a unique typing experience. The Keylin is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and rich acoustics, thanks to its newly designed molds, which provides a premium feel for those looking for a refined typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Mint boasts a satisfyingly smooth action characterized by its long pole stem, delivering a distinctive poppy thockiness that adds a delightful auditory element to each keystroke, combined with a light and fleeting typing sensation. While both switches excel in their linear profile, the Keylin leans toward a luxurious feel, making it ideal for quiet, focused typing sessions, whereas the Mint's lively personality may appeal to users who enjoy a bit more feedback without the harshness of tactile or clicky switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Keygeek Keylin Linear

KTT Mint Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$2.91 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the Keygeek Keylin and the KTT Mint switch housings, a notable distinction lies in the materials used for their tops. The Keylin features a nylon top housing, which is celebrated for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's relatively soft nature, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. Consequently, typing on the Keylin switch results in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the KTT Mint utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, recognized for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant output, making it especially effective when utilizing RGB lighting, as its translucent nature enhances the aesthetic appeal.

On the other hand, both the Keygeek Keylin and KTT Mint switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, as both use nylon. This parallel in materials leads to a consistent deep and full sound profile for both switches' bottom housings. The nylon bottom housing, familiar to enthusiasts, absorbs sound effectively, contributing to a duller and rounder auditory experience when the key bottoms out. While the top housings of each switch greatly influence the sound produced upon release, the nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches maintain a consistent foundation in terms of feel and sound generation during the actuation phase.

Ultimately, the differences in top housing materials between the Keylin and Mint switches illustrate how these variations shape the overall sound profile of each switch. While the Keylin's nylon top creates a warm, muffled sound, the Mint's polycarbonate top results in a crisper auditory output. However, despite these contrasting effects on the top housing sound, the shared nylon bottom housing provides a common ground that leads to similar results in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel. When pressed, both switches will exhibit the soft, full character imparted by the nylon bottom, underscoring how the interplay of materials influences the gaming and typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, notable differences emerge. The Keylin features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, ideal for long work sessions or extensive gaming. In contrast, the KTT Mint boasts a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, qualifying it as medium-light. This provides a more substantial pressing experience, which may appeal to users seeking a firmer tactile feedback. Therefore, while both switches offer good performance, the Keylin is the lighter option, making it preferable for prolonged use, while the KTT Mint leans toward a firmer typing feel for those who enjoy a heavier keypress.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Keylin features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Mint has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Mint switch provides a deeper key press, which may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience. Conversely, the Keylin’s shorter travel distance could be favored by gamers seeking quicker response times, as the shorter distance allows for faster actuation. Thus, if you prioritize responsiveness in your typing or gaming experience, the Keylin would be the preferable choice, while the Mint might be better suited for those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound of the Keygeek Keylin linear switch is noted for its rich acoustics, suggesting a full-bodied auditory experience that enhances the typing interaction. On the other hand, the KTT Mint linear switch produces a low-pitched sound accompanied by a mellow tone, thanks to its balanced profile. Additionally, its neutral sound quality allows the Mint switch to fit seamlessly into various environments, whether at home or in a professional setting. Ultimately, while both switches provide unique auditory characteristics, the Keylin's richer sound contrasts with the Mint's more approachable and versatile tonal qualities.

In terms of feel, the Keygeek Keylin switch excels in delivering a premium typing experience characterized by exceptional smoothness, though specifics about its tactility are left unspecified. Conversely, the KTT Mint switch offers a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience, and is also described as polished, which means it has a refined touch that minimizes friction. This makes the Mint particularly appealing for those who prefer a smooth and consistent key travel. Although the exact feel of the Keylin isn’t fully defined, it's likely that users may favor either switch based on personal preference for smoothness and overall tactile feedback.

In summary, the Keygeek Keylin linear switch stands out for its rich sound and exceptional smoothness, while the KTT Mint linear switch offers a low-pitched, neutral sound profile and a mild, polished typing experience. While they both provide smooth action, the auditory qualities set them apart; the Mint's more versatile and approachable sound may appeal to users seeking a quieter option, whereas the Keylin may entice those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic feedback. Regardless of your choice, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience, catering to different preferences and environments.

Conclusion

In summary, when choosing between the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, your preferences for typing feel, sound, and actuation force should guide your decision. If you find yourself leaning towards a lighter actuation force and prefer a smooth typing experience with rich acoustics, the Keylin switch may be your best option. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy a responsive touch with an emphasis on sound quality. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light actuation force coupled with a satisfying poppy thockiness and a more balanced sound profile, the Mint switch would likely be more to your taste. The Mild and Polished attributes of the Mint switch create a gentle and refined typing experience that is ideal for both casual and everyday use, making it versatile for various environments, from home to office. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics, and the choice will depend on whether you prioritize sound dynamics, actuation force, or overall typing feel in your mechanical keyboard journey.

Mentioned in this article

Keygeek Keylin Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

KTT Mint Linear

$2.91 per 10

Learn more