Zuoce Lavender vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Zuoce Lavender and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Lavender switch is renowned for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, providing a crisp and clacky sound signature that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in the stem and bottom housing. This switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets it apart from the competition. Ultimately, the decision between these switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Lavender features POM top and bottom housings, which create a deeper and more muted sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, resulting in a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This difference in sound profile can impact the overall typing experience, with the Lavender offering a more subdued sound compared to the more prominent and crisp sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream.
In terms of durability and smoothness, the housing materials of the two switches diverge even further. While the Lavender's POM bottom housing contributes to its unique sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing offers exceptional durability and smoothness. The POK material is known for its wear resistance, shock resistance, and overall strength, making it a top choice for making switches. This difference in bottom housing materials can affect the longevity and feel of the switches, with the Vanilla Ice Cream likely to offer a more resilient and smooth typing experience compared to the Lavender.
Overall, the housing materials of the Zuoce Lavender and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream play a crucial role in shaping their respective sound profiles and typing experiences. The use of POM and KTT blend for the top housings and POM and POK for the bottom housings result in distinct sound signatures and levels of durability. While the Lavender offers a deep and muted sound with its POM housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a more high-pitched and clacky sound with its proprietary KTT blend. Additionally, the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream's bottom housing provides exceptional durability and smoothness, enhancing the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, feel, and durability.
Weight
When comparing the Zuoce Lavender linear switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is clear that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Zuoce Lavender has a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams compared to the 43 grams of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, making it slightly heavier. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Lavender is also higher at 53 grams compared to the 48 grams of the Vanilla Ice Cream, indicating that the Lavender switch provides a more substantial typing experience. In terms of weight preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, as it requires less force to type. On the other hand, the Lavender switch may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more stable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is clear that the Lavender has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the market. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance for faster response times. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance to be too abrupt and may prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch for a more satisfying key press. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired key press experience.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 Zuoce Lavender switch offers a clacky and satisfying typing experience with each keystroke, thanks to its sharp and percussive sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a high-pitched and resonant sound that is clean and sharp, adding to the overall auditory experience. Both switches offer distinct sound signatures that cater to different preferences, with the Lavender leaning towards a crisp and clacky sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a higher-pitched and marbly sound.
In terms of feel, the Zuoce Lavender switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, providing a gentle resistance during key presses that requires minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing efficiency and comfort, resulting in a low-impact and responsive typing feel. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is often described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that feels seamless, effortless, and uniform. Typing on these switches evokes a sensation of gliding fingers across the keys with ease, providing a silky typing experience.
Overall, both the Zuoce Lavender and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different typing preferences. The Lavender switch provides a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and creamy typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these switches to achieve a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, both switches excel in their own right, offering distinct characteristics that make them stand out in the competitive mechanical keyboard switch market.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a medium-light bottom out force and are looking for exceptional smoothness and a crisp, clacky sound signature out of the box, then the Lavender switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and value a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be the perfect fit for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize bottom out force, typing feel, and sound characteristics that align with your preferences. Choose wisely based on what features matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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