Gateron Luciola vs. KTT Wine Red

Overview

The Gateron Luciola and KTT Wine Red are two intriguing mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and typing experiences. The Luciola switches are instantly eye-catching with their glow-in-the-dark feature, making them a hit among users who appreciate visually engaging keyboards. These switches provide a medium heft, allowing for a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Additionally, they produce a distinct sound profile described as hollow, similar to the sound of a shaking can of spray paint. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches are popular for their intoxicating typing experience. Users often describe the typing feel as pillowy light, making every keystroke feel comfortable and effortless. The sound profile of these switches is deep and rich, adding a satisfying element to the typing experience. While these general characteristics offer a glimpse into the performance of each switch, diving deeper into their specific qualities is crucial for determining the best fit for your typing preferences.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

KTT Wine Red Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$2.71 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Luciola and the KTT Wine Red differ in their housing materials, with the Luciola featuring a proprietary INK blend and the Wine Red utilizing polycarbonate. While both materials contribute to a higher-pitched sound profile, the Luciola's INK blend is described as not overly sharp and clacky, while the Wine Red's polycarbonate creates a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Wine Red allows for enhanced aesthetic appeal when using RGB lighting. Despite these differences, when using either switch, the qualities of the housing materials will be experienced differently. The bottom housing of each switch influences the bottom-out sound and feel upon pressing down, while the top housing particularly affects the sound when letting go of a key.

In terms of sound profile, the Luciola's INK blend top housing offers a pointed thin sound that is characterized as clacky. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red delivers a sharper and higher-pitched sound with a clearer resonance. This distinction in sound quality can impact the overall typing experience and preference of users. Furthermore, the presence of RGB lighting can be better highlighted with polycarbonate, as its translucency allows for enhanced lighting effects. However, both switches provide a satisfying higher-pitched sound, albeit with varying degrees of sharpness and clarity.

When it comes to the bottom housing, the Luciola's INK blend and the Wine Red's polycarbonate share similar characteristics. Both materials contribute to a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is not overly sharp. The use of a stiffer plastic in the polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by both switches. While the bottom housing primarily impacts the overall bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the similarities in housing materials highlight the potential for comparable results when utilizing either the Luciola or the Wine Red.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Weight is an important consideration for many keyboard users, as a lighter switch allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. In this regard, both switches offer a relatively light actuation force. The Luciola has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Wine Red is even lighter, with an actuation force of 44 grams.

On the other hand, some individuals prefer a firmer push feel when typing, which provides a more substantial and satisfying experience. For these users, switches with heavier forces are preferred. In terms of bottom out force, the Gateron Luciola linear switch comes in slightly heavier at 60 grams, providing a more solid bottoming out experience. In contrast, the KTT Wine Red switch has a lower bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter in comparison.

Overall, while both switches fall under the medium force category, the Gateron Luciola linear switch tends to be slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the KTT Wine Red linear switch. However, it's worth noting that both switches offer relatively similar results, with the Luciola providing a slightly more weighty typing experience in comparison to the Wine Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two will largely depend on an individual's preference for a lighter and longer typing session or a firmer and more substantial typing feel.

Travel distance

The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Wine Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Luciola offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Wine Red. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional and provides a deeper feel when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Luciola's 3.6 mm travel distance is towards the shallower end, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the Luciola switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you enjoy a deeper, more substantial feel when typing, the Wine Red switch with its longer 4 mm travel distance might be more appealing. Ultimately, the preference between the two switches boils down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or depth when typing.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its unique "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This means that when pressed, these switches produce a hollow and percussive sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and slightly metallic. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is described as offering a deep and rich sound profile, reminiscent of bass tones. This means that the sound produced by these switches is characterized by lower frequency ranges and a more mellow tone. Both switches offer distinct sound experiences, with the Luciola having a sharper and more vibrant sound, while the Wine Red provides a deeper and more bass-heavy tone.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is praised for its smooth and bouncy typing feel. This implies that the switch has a responsive and springy nature, providing a satisfying typing experience. The Luciola is also described as having a medium heft, suggesting that it offers a balanced level of resistance during key presses. On the other hand, there is no specific information available regarding the feel of the KTT Wine Red linear switch. However, based on the description of the pillowy light typing feel, it can be assumed that these switches provide a softer and lighter typing experience.

Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron Luciola and KTT Wine Red linear switches offer contrasting subjective qualities. The Luciola stands out with its clacky and hollow sound profile, as well as its smooth and bouncy typing feel. It provides a medium heft and a vibrant sound that resembles the shaking of a spray paint can. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch offers a deep and rich sound profile, characterized by a lower frequency range and a mellow tone. Although the specific feel of the Wine Red switch is unknown, it is described as providing a pillowy light typing feel. Therefore, while the Luciola and Wine Red switches offer different subjective qualities, the presence of a smooth and bouncy typing feel in the Luciola suggests that the Wine Red switch might also provide a similar experience in terms of feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference, with the Luciola offering a more clacky and vibrant sound, while the Wine Red provides a deeper and richer tone.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are a few factors to consider in your decision-making process. The Luciola switch offers a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Wine Red switch has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. The Luciola switch is best known for its unique glowing feature and has a medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a hollow sound profile. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch provides a pillowy light typing feel and a deep and rich sound profile.

In terms of sound, the Luciola switch is characterized as clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. These qualities give it a sharp, crisp, and percussive sound when pressed. On the contrary, the Wine Red switch is described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses.

When it comes to the tactile feel, the Luciola switch is known for being snappy, buttery, and polished. These qualities make it highly responsive and provide a seamless and uniform typing experience. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available about the tactile feel of the Wine Red switch.

Considering all these aspects, if you are looking for a switch with a glowing feature and a medium bottom out force, the Gateron Luciola linear switch could be a great option for you. Its unique aesthetics, smooth typing feel, and distinctive sound profile make it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a pillowy light typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches boils down to personal preference in terms of aesthetics, typing feel, and sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

KTT Wine Red Linear

$2.71 per 10

Learn more