Gateron Luciola vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Luciola and the TTC Silent Bluish White. Both switches offer unique features and characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. The Luciola switches are specifically known for their eye-catching glow in the dark feature, making them a visually appealing option. These switches provide a medium heft, a smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a distinctive "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches offer a medium tactile feel, which adds a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, resulting in a precise and comfortable typing experience. What sets these switches apart is their quietness, as they are designed to minimize noise, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the TTC Silent Bluish White switches showcase significant differences. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and higher-pitched sound profile. This sound is often described as clacky. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound. The stiffer quality of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who plan to use RGB lighting.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches differ once again. The Luciola's proprietary INK blend bottom housing shares similarities with its top housing, contributing to a thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature. The absorption of more sound by nylon creates a duller and rounder sound.

Considering the impact of the housing materials on the overall experience, it is important to note that the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on these switches, the bottom housing predominantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that can be appreciated by users.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, it is evident that there are differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Luciola requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Bluish White's lighter actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Luciola switch needs a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Luciola again requires a higher force of 60 grams, while the Silent Bluish White has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that typing on the Luciola switch will feel slightly heavier and more substantial compared to the relatively lighter feel of the Silent Bluish White switch. It is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range for actuation force, but the Luciola is on the heavier side, while the Silent Bluish White is on the lighter side. Therefore, if one prefers a lighter and more effortless typing experience, the Silent Bluish White switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, for those who prefer a stronger and more substantial push feel while typing, the Luciola switch would be a better fit. In either case, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, provided they select the respective switch that aligns with their preferences in terms of weight.

Travel distance

The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm and shallower 3.0 mm options. Shorter travel distances are becoming prevalent nowadays, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Gateron Luciola switch would be the better choice. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a more substantial feel. In this case, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch with its slightly longer travel distance would be the preferred option. Overall, both switches provide a different tactile experience due to their slight difference in travel distance, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its distinct "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This means that when these switches are pressed, they produce a hollow and crisp sound that can be likened to the shaking of a spray paint can. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as muted. This means that the sound produced by these switches is softer and quieter compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Bluish Whites are specifically designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them ideal for use in office or shared living spaces. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.

In terms of feel, both the Luciola and Silent Bluish White switches are described as having a buttery typing experience. This implies that pressing these switches results in a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The Luciola switch is also described as snappy, which means it has a super responsive feel. This can be attributed to longer or dual-staged springs used in the switch design, making the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, the Luciola switch is noted for its medium heft and bouncy typing feel, further enhancing the overall feel of this switch. The Silent Bluish White switch, on the other hand, is described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes it approachable to most users, as its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone. The Silent Bluish White switch is also labeled as stepped, indicating that it provides a mild tactile feedback which can be felt during the pre-travel or post-travel of the key press. Both switches are also noted for their polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch and TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch exhibit different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola switch has a distinctive "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, while the Silent Bluish White switch is designed to be as quiet as possible. Both switches provide a buttery typing experience, with the Luciola switch also offering a snappy and bouncy feel, while the Silent Bluish White switch provides a mild and stepped tactile feedback. Overall, while these switches differ in their specific qualities, they both offer a satisfying and comfortable typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are a few factors to consider. If you prioritize a medium heft with a smooth and bouncy typing feel, along with a unique hollow sound profile, the Luciola switch would be a great choice. Additionally, if you prefer a switch that glows in the dark, the Luciola switch offers eye-catching aesthetics.

On the other hand, if you value a light bottom out force and a precise and comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be ideal. These switches offer a satisfying level of resistance when pressed and have a medium tactile feel. Furthermore, if a quiet typing experience is important to you, the Silent Bluish Whites are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them suitable for office or shared living space use.

In terms of sound, the Luciola switch is known for producing clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched sounds when pressed. If you appreciate sharp and snappy sound profiles, the Luciola switch would be a good fit. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch is described as producing a muted sound, which minimizes noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.

When it comes to feel, both switches offer a buttery and polished typing experience. The Luciola switch is known for being snappy and providing a more alive typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White switch offers a mild and subtle typing feel. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switch can be described as stepped, meaning it has a two-stage tactile feel with pre-travel and/or post-travel.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch depends on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as typing feel, sound profile, aesthetics, and noise level to make an informed decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more