Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style, the choice often boils down to personal preference and application. The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is a linear switch celebrated for its clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a silky and seamless typing experience that many gamers and typists appreciate for its smooth keypresses. Its unique light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, making it an excellent choice for those who want a vibrant and visually appealing setup. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown is a tactile switch that offers a comfortable typing experience characterized by a satisfying rounded tactile bump. With a muted sound profile and light to medium resistance, this switch is perfect for office environments or quieter settings, where noise reduction is essential. Each switch has its distinct advantages, making the Lightning Silver V3 ideal for those seeking an engaging auditory experience and the Silent Brown perfect for users prioritizing a more subdued and polished tactile feedback. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the TTC Silent Brown switches both feature polycarbonate in their top housing, which offers a crisp and sharp sound profile, making them quite similar in their tonal characteristics. Polycarbonate, known for its rigidity, facilitates a more resonant sound due to its ability to transmit vibrations effectively. The translucence of polycarbonate in the top housing is particularly advantageous for users who enjoy RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant light diffusion and aesthetic appeal. Consequently, users can expect a similar auditory experience from both switches during the act of releasing a key, as the effects of polycarbonate in the top housing contribute significantly to the resulting sound profile.
However, the materials used for the bottom housing of these switches present a marked contrast. The Lightning Silver V3 employs polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, ensuring consistency in sound profile across both sections of the switch. This uniformity means that the overall auditory experience will have a crisper quality, as both the bottom-out sound and the release sound are influenced by the stiffer polycarbonate material. In contrast, the TTC Silent Brown features a nylon bottom housing, known for being softer and more sound-absorbing. This leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile when the switch is bottomed out, resulting in a distinct auditory characteristic when compared to the Lightning Silver V3.
In essence, the differences in bottom housing materials will cause the two switches to deliver varied tactile and acoustic feedback overall. While the Lightning Silver V3 will consistently produce a sharper sound profile across various key presses due to the uniform use of polycarbonate, the Silent Brown will offer a richer, more muted experience owing to its nylon bottom housing. As a result, users who prioritize a more punctuated sound may favor the Lightning Silver V3, while those who prefer a warmer and rounder auditory experience may opt for the TTC Silent Brown. Understanding these distinctions allows users to make an informed decision based on their sound preferences and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Lightning Silver V3 features an actuation force of 48 grams, while the Silent Brown is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams. In terms of bottom out forces, the Lightning Silver reaches 60 grams, whereas the Silent Brown bottoms out at a heavier 63.5 grams. This means that while the Lightning Silver V3 requires a moderate amount of force to actuate, making it suitable for longer typing sessions, the Silent Brown offers a stronger push feel overall, which may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing experience. Therefore, the Lightning Silver V3 is the lighter option at the actuation stage, while the Silent Brown is afforded a heavier feel both at actuation and bottom out. Users who appreciate a lighter touch for extended use may gravitate toward the Lightning Silver, whereas those who prefer the weightier tactile response should consider the Silent Brown.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 is the shorter option, providing a quicker response time, which can be advantageous for gamers who prefer rapid key presses. On the other hand, the Silent Brown's longer travel distance may appeal to those who favor a more pronounced keystroke and a deeper feel while typing or gaming. If you like a more responsive feel, the shorter travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 would be the better choice, whereas if you prefer a richer typing experience, the Silent Brown would likely be more satisfying.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $5.00.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches deliver a high-pitched and clacky auditory experience that is sharp and snappy, making them ideal for those who enjoy an expressive and vibrant sound while typing. In contrast, the TTC Silent Brown switches are notably quieter, featuring a muted sound profile that minimizes the mechanical clatter typically associated with keyboards. This makes the Silent Browns suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept low, as they produce a softer and more subdued auditory feedback, allowing for a more discreet typing experience.
On the feel front, the Lightning Silver V3 switches are celebrated for their silky smoothness, providing an exceptionally seamless typing experience that minimizes resistance with every keystroke. This allows for quick and fluid typing, enhancing overall performance. In comparison, the Silent Brown switches offer a combination of buttery smoothness with a tactile sensation, featuring a mild and rounded bump that adds to the typing experience yet remains approachable and refined. Their polished feel ensures minimal friction, providing a comfortable and consistent typing action that appeals to a wide range of users.
In summary, if you’re looking for an energetic and tactile experience, the Lightning Silver V3 is better suited to your needs with its clacky sound and silky feel, perfect for gaming or expressive typing. On the other hand, if noise reduction and a soft tactile feedback are more important, the TTC Silent Brown switches will provide a muted experience paired with a gentle yet satisfying tactile bump. Ultimately, your choice between these two options will depend on whether you prioritize sound and expressiveness or a quieter, more refined typing experience. Both options deliver unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard use.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switches ultimately depends on your specific preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a lively typing experience with a higher-pitched and clacky sound, and you don't mind the medium resistance of 60 grams, then the Lightning Silver V3 is your ideal choice. Its silky feel and enhanced RGB illumination make it a great option for gamers and typists who crave a vibrant visual and auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter, more subdued environment or tend to work in shared spaces, the TTC Silent Brown switch would be more suitable for you. With its medium-heavy resistance of 63.5 grams, comfortable tactile bump, and muted sound profile, it's perfect for those who appreciate a refined typing experience without the distraction of excessive noise. Ultimately, consider your typing habits, environment, and aesthetic preferences to determine which switch aligns best with your needs.
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