Zuoce Lavender vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Zuoce Lavender and TKC Tangerine are two popular options to explore. The Lavender switch is praised for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, providing a satisfying clacky sound signature with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch offers an incredibly smooth typing experience, thanks to its UHWMPE housings, and delivers a high-pitched clack when typing. The Lavender switch is easy-to-press and clacky, while the Tangerine switch is frictionless, buttery, high-pitched, and polished. Each switch offers its own unique qualities and benefits, making it important to delve deeper into their individual characteristics to determine the best fit for your typing preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and TKC Tangerine both feature unique housing materials for their switches, with the Lavender utilizing POM for both the top and bottom housing, while the Tangerine opts for UHWMPE. The POM housing of the Lavender offers a deep and muted sound profile, creating a pleasing typing experience. In contrast, the UHWMPE housing of the Tangerine produces a bright and resonant sound signature, providing a different typing feel for users. Despite these differences, both housing materials aim to enhance the overall sound and feel of the switches they are used in.
While the POM top and bottom housing of the Zuoce Lavender share similar acoustic qualities, the UHWMPE top and bottom housing of the TKC Tangerine offer a more distinct contrast in sound signature. The POM housing of the Lavender creates a consistent deep and muted sound profile throughout each keystroke, providing a consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the UHWMPE housing of the Tangerine offers a brighter sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing on switches with such housings. This difference in sound profile highlights the impact that housing materials can have on the overall typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
In terms of practical usage, the housing materials of the Zuoce Lavender and TKC Tangerine may offer similar results in terms of durability and functionality. Both POM and UHWMPE are known for their high-quality characteristics, such as resilience to wear and tear, ensuring a long lifespan for the switches they are used in. Additionally, the unique sound profiles created by these housing materials cater to different preferences among keyboard users, allowing for a personalized typing experience. Overall, while the Lavender and Tangerine may differ in their housing materials and resulting sound profiles, they both aim to provide a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts looking for premium switch options.
Weight
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a lighter actuation force compared to the TKC Tangerine linear switch. The Lavender requires 48 grams of force to actuate, while the Tangerine's actuation force is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Lavender switch also requires a lighter force of 53 grams compared to the Tangerine's 62 grams for bottoming out. This means that the Lavender switch would be preferred by those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, while the Tangerine switch would be more suitable for those looking for a more substantial typing feel. In both cases, it is important to consider individual preferences and typing habits when choosing between these two switches.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the TKC Tangerine linear switch. The Lavender switch offers a slightly quicker response time compared to the Tangerine switch due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers who prioritize speed may prefer the Lavender switch for this reason. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch provides a more traditional feel with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper typing experience. Ultimately, whether you choose the Lavender or Tangerine switch will depend on your personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
The TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 per 10 switches.
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 Zuoce Lavender linear switch offers a clacky sound profile, characterized by sharp and snappy sounds when pressed. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch produces a higher-pitched sound, creating a crisp and bright typing experience. Both switches provide distinctive sound signatures that can enhance the overall typing feel, depending on individual preferences and setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Zuoce Lavender switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering a gentle resistance during key presses that requires minimal force to activate. This light actuation force allows for effortless and comfortable typing, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the TKC Tangerine switch offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience, with a smooth and effortless keystroke that minimizes any sense of resistance or friction. Additionally, the polished finish of the Tangerine switch contributes to a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Zuoce Lavender and TKC Tangerine switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Lavender provides a clacky sound signature and easy-to-press feel for a satisfying typing experience, the Tangerine stands out with its higher-pitched sound profile, frictionless and buttery typing feel, and polished finish. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches can offer a high-quality mechanical keyboard experience with smooth and enjoyable key presses. If you prefer one quality over the other, choosing the respective switch can lead to similar results based on the information provided.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a smooth and clacky typing experience right out of the box, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its easy-to-press feel and medium-light bottom out force, typing on this switch will be effortless and comfortable. On the other hand, if you prefer a high-pitched sound profile and a frictionless, buttery feel, the TKC Tangerine linear switch would be more suitable for you. The Tangerine's medium bottom out force and UHWMPE housings contribute to a superior typing experience. Ultimately, the Lavender and Tangerine switches cater to different preferences, so consider your typing style and sound preference when deciding between the two.
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