Durock Light Tactile vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint offer distinct options for different preferences. The Light Tactile stands out for its gentle tactility, providing a welcome contrast to the sharper tactile switches commonly available. Typing on these switches offers an angelic tactility accompanied by a jelly-like sound signature. Classified as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Light Tactile switch offers a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Mint switch captures attention with its satisfyingly smooth linear action. With its long pole stem, this switch produces a poppy thockiness when typing. It provides a light and fleeting typing feel and falls under the categories of 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. When choosing between these switches, consider your preference for tactility and typing feel. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision about the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint both feature polycarbonate top housings, which share similar characteristics. The use of polycarbonate in both switches results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic that enhances clarity and resonance in the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Hence, both switches will offer comparable results in terms of sound and aesthetic when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings.
Regarding the bottom housings, both the Light Tactile and the Mint employ nylon, which brings distinctive qualities to the typing experience. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. As a result, both switches will produce a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out, creating a satisfying auditory experience. The nylon bottom housings play a significant role in the sound and feel when pressing down on the switches.
However, it is worth noting that the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint differ in terms of their top and bottom housing materials. This means that the qualities brought by each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switches. When you press down on either switch, you will primarily feel the impact of the nylon bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the sound when you release a key will be more influenced by the characteristics of the polycarbonate top housing. The distinction in housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience on each switch.
In summary, the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint showcase similarities in their polycarbonate top housings, enhancing the sound profile and aesthetic appeal. Both switches utilize nylon bottom housings to create a deeper and fuller sound when typing. However, the Light Tactile and the Mint differ in terms of housing materials, with the bottom and top housings affecting the tactile experience in distinct ways. Understanding these variations helps users choose the switch that aligns with their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, it is clear that they offer different experiences. The Light Tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Mint's 45 grams, making it a bit more resistant to accidental keystrokes. Additionally, the Light Tactile requires a higher bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Mint offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, allowing for a smoother and quicker keystroke initiation. It also features a lower bottom out force of 53 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. Overall, if one prefers a lighter typing experience, the Mint is a better choice, while those who prefer a more substantial feel and resistance would opt for the Light Tactile.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a tactile or linear switch for a keyboard. In the case of the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint switches, both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Therefore, if you are looking for a keyboard with a consistent and familiar tactile or linear feel, either of these switches will provide you with similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile for $4.25.
The KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
The Durock Light Tactile switch is best known for its gentle tactility and jelly-like sound signature. When typing on these switches, users can expect a satisfyingly smooth and angelic tactility. In terms of sound, the Light Tactile switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, which makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, for home or work usage. The Mint switch, on the other hand, is known for its smooth linear feel and poppy thockiness when typing. It offers a light and fleeting type feel. In terms of sound, the Mint switch has a low-pitched, bass-heavy, and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Similar to the Light Tactile, the Mint switch is also considered neutral in terms of sound profile. Both switches provide a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. Additionally, their polished finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. Based on the available information, it seems that the Light Tactile switch may have a more gentle tactility compared to the Mint switch, but both switches offer a pleasing typing experience with their own unique qualities. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and KTT Mint switches will depend on personal preference and the desired sound and feel for a mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch with a gentle and angelic tactility, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be a great choice. It offers a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a satisfying tactile feedback. This switch stands out from the sharp tactile switches commonly found in the market. Additionally, it produces a jelly-like sound signature, enhancing the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and light linear switch, the KTT Mint switch would be the way to go. With a bottom out force of 53 grams, this switch provides a light and fleeting typing feel. Its long pole stem contributes to a poppy thockiness, adding a satisfying sensation to every keystroke.
In terms of sound, both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments and user preferences. The Light Tactile switch offers a moderate actuation force requirement, while the Mint switch has a low-pitched and mellow tone, giving it a bass-heavy sound.
When it comes to feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, making them accessible to most users. They also feature a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Mint switch depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a tactile switch with a gentle tactility and jelly-like sound, the Light Tactile would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and light linear switch with a poppy thockiness, the Mint switch would be the ideal choice. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. In the end, it is important to choose the switch that suits your needs and brings you the most enjoyment while typing.
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