Gateron Luciola vs. KTT Phalaenopsis

Overview

The Gateron Luciola and KTT Phalaenopsis are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and benefits to enhance your typing experience. The Luciola is renowned for its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature, adding a stylish touch to your keyboard setup. This switch offers a medium heft, providing a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Additionally, its distinct hollow sound profile resembling a "can of spray paint being shaken" adds an element of novelty to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis stands out with its beautiful translucent design. It has a light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and minimizing finger fatigue even during prolonged sessions. The 50g tactile force of the Phalaenopsis delivers a satisfying and discernible tactile bump, ensuring that each keystroke is a delightful experience. While these general pointers can guide you in choosing the right switch, diving deeper into the specifics will enable you to make the best decision based on your personal preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

KTT Phalaenopsis Tactile

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$4.73

$4.15 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches exhibit some similarities and differences. The Luciola utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing, which is described as providing a satisfying clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis features a polycarbonate material for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Both switches share the quality of producing a thin and higher-pitched sound, but the Luciola's INK blend offers a slightly less sharp tone compared to the Phalaenopsis' polycarbonate material.

One notable difference between the two switches lies in their choice of materials for the top housing. The Luciola utilizes a proprietary INK blend, which gives it a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. In contrast, the Phalaenopsis features a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a sharper and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows the Phalaenopsis to have translucency, making it particularly suitable for incorporating RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate housing of the Phalaenopsis adds a visually appealing element to the switch.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, both switches employ similar materials. The Luciola's proprietary INK blend and the Phalaenopsis' polycarbonate material offer similar characteristics such as a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound. Both materials contribute to a clacky sound profile, albeit with the Phalaenopsis leaning towards a slightly sharper tone. Furthermore, the bottom housing plays a larger role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing a tactile experience when pressing down on the keys.

In summary, while the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Phalaenopsis share some similarities in the sound profiles of their housing materials, they also possess distinct characteristics. The proprietary INK blend of the Luciola offers a pointed and high-pitched sound, while the polycarbonate material of the Phalaenopsis brings about a sharper and crisper tone. However, both switches provide a satisfying clacky sound thanks to their similar bottom housing materials. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for sound and aesthetic qualities.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Luciola switch has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which can be considered medium. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Phalaenopsis switch noticeably lighter than the Luciola switch.

The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider, as it can significantly impact typing performance and comfort. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Phalaenopsis switch would be a suitable choice. Its lighter actuation force allows for quicker keystrokes and can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions.

On the contrary, some individuals prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For those who enjoy a heavier switch, the Luciola switch would be a better option. With its higher actuation force and slightly heavier bottom out force, it provides a more satisfying tactile feedback and can enhance the overall typing experience for those seeking a bit more resistance.

While the Gateron Luciola and KTT Phalaenopsis switches have different actuation and bottom out forces, it's important to note that individual preferences may vary. If someone prefers a lighter typing experience but still desires a tactile feel, the Phalaenopsis switch is a suitable choice. However, if a heavier and more substantial typing experience is desired, the Luciola switch will offer that extra resistance. Overall, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience based on the specific preferences of the user.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, it is clear that the Luciola has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Phalaenopsis has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Traditionally, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered standard, while 3.0 mm is considered shallow. However, modern preferences have shifted towards shorter travel distances, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If responsiveness is a priority for you, the Gateron Luciola switch would be the recommended option. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a switch with more depth. In that case, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch with its longer travel distance would be the suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola switch produces a unique and distinct sound. It can be described as clacky, with a crisp and bright tone, almost like a percussion instrument. Additionally, it has a chirpy quality, with a slight squeak, setting it apart from other switches. The Luciola switch can also be categorized as marbly, resonant and high-pitched, similar to tapping on a solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch is described as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. It is characterized by a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Phalaenopsis switch also falls under the thocky category, producing a satisfying, deep, and soft "knock" sound when pressed and released.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Luciola switch provides a medium heft, creating a smooth and bouncy typing experience. It can be considered snappy, offering an incredibly responsive feel. This can be attributed to the longer or dual-staged springs used in the switch, which enhances the liveliness of each keystroke. The Luciola switch is also described as buttery, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Its polished nature ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, resulting in a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis switch is classified as a stepped switch. It has a mild tactile feel, offering some pre-travel and/or post-travel. While not as snappy or buttery as the Luciola, the Phalaenopsis switch still provides a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.

Considering all the available information, the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola switch produces a clacky, chirpy, and marbly sound, creating a unique auditory experience. It has a snappy and buttery feel, providing a responsive and seamless typing sensation. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis switch offers a bassy and thocky sound, characterized by a deeper and richer tone. Its stepped tactile feel provides a mild key press experience. Overall, both switches have their own merits and can provide delightful typing experiences. If you prefer a bright and percussive sound with a smooth and bouncy feel, the Luciola switch would be a great choice. However, if you seek a deeper sound with a tactile bump, the Phalaenopsis switch would be a suitable option.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a unique glowing feature, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a smooth and bouncy typing feel, and produce a clacky, chirpy, marbly, or high-pitched sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a tactile feedback, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is the way to go. With a light actuation force, these switches provide an effortless typing experience and minimize finger fatigue. They produce a deep and rich bassy or thocky sound when pressed.

In terms of feel, the Luciola switches are described as snappy, buttery, and polished, offering a responsive and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis switches are described as stepped, providing a more mild tactile feedback with noticeable pre-travel and post-travel.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Phalaenopsis will depend on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a unique glowing feature, medium bottom out force, and a variety of sound profiles, the Luciola would be a great option. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, tactile feedback, and a deep, rich sound profile, the Phalaenopsis would be the ideal choice. Consider your typing style, preferences, and desired typing experience to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

KTT Phalaenopsis Tactile

$4.73

$4.15 per 10

Learn more