KTT Mallo vs. Cherry MX Purple RGB
An in-depth look at the KTT Mallo and the Cherry MX Purple RGB switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style, the KTT Mallo and Cherry MX Purple RGB stand as compelling options within the tactile switch category, each catering to different preferences and experiences. The KTT Mallo is recognized for its gentle tactility and medium-light typing feel, delivering subtle feedback that enhances the typing experience without overwhelming the user; its versatile neutral sound signature makes it an excellent choice for both quiet office settings and home environments. In contrast, the Cherry MX Purple RGB switch offers a more pronounced tactile bump, designed to provide satisfying feedback with a short, medium-strength action—an ideal feature for those who thrive on a more responsive feel as they type. While both switches promise a delightful typing experience, the KTT Mallo leans towards a softer touch, whereas the Cherry MX Purple RGB aims for a more assertive interaction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Mallo and the Cherry MX Purple RGB, a notable distinction arises in the composition of their top housings. The KTT Mallo employs polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This stiffer plastic enhances clarity, making it well-suited for users seeking an audible typing experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Cherry MX Purple RGB utilizes nylon for its top housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively, yielding a fuller and deeper sound profile. This material's capacity to dampen sound results in a typing experience that is rounder and mellower, appealing to those who favor a less pronounced auditory feedback.
Despite the contrasting materials used for the top housing, both switches feature nylon for their bottom housings. This creates a scenario where the two switches exhibit similarities in the sound and feel produced by the bottom part of the switch. In both cases, the nylon exhibits its characteristic soft texture, absorbing sound to create a richer, more consistent bottom-out experience. Consequently, both the Mallo and the MX Purple RGB deliver that deeper sound, providing a sense of fullness that typists often prefer. This commonality in the bottom housing can lead to similar auditory results when pressing down on the switches, ensuring a pleasing typing experience regardless of the top housing material.
The combined effect of varying top housing materials with a shared nylon bottom housing results in a nuanced contrast in overall performance. While the KTT Mallo's polycarbonate top contributes to a clear and defined sound on key release, the MX Purple RGB's nylon top softens that experience, promoting a more subdued auditory feedback. Together, the individual materials attribute distinct characteristics that influence feel and sound; the top housing significantly affects the disengagement noise while the bottom housing heavily impacts the key press sound. Typists looking for sharper feedback might lean towards the KTT Mallo, while users who prefer a deeper and richer typing sound might find the Cherry MX Purple RGB more appealing—all while enjoying similar resonance in their bottoming-out experience due to the shared nylon construction.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Cherry MX Purple RGB tactile switch, the most notable difference lies in their actuation forces. The Mallo switch has an unknown actuation force, while the Cherry MX Purple RGB requires a force of 45 grams to actuate, making the Cherry lighter in this respect. In terms of bottom out force, the Mallo switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorized as medium-light, whereas the bottom out force for the Cherry MX Purple RGB is unknown. This ambiguity means that users who prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions may find the Cherry MX Purple RGB more appealing due to its lower actuation force, while those who enjoy a heavier, more substantial typing feedback may lean toward the Mallo for its known bottom out force. Overall, the KTT Mallo tactile switch offers a slightly heavier experience when pressed all the way down, while the Cherry MX Purple RGB provides a lighter actuation experience, tailored to different preferences.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Cherry MX Purple RGB tactile switch feature the same travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that users will experience identical keypress depth when pressing down on either switch. This similarity in travel distance ensures that both switches will produce comparable tactile feedback and responsiveness, making them equally suitable for users who prefer a tactile and satisfying typing experience. Given that the travel distances are equal, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and overall performance when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
The Cherry MX Purple RGB has an MSRP of $6.19 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Purple RGB for $5.79.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Cherry MX Purple RGB switch, the Mallo is characterized by its subdued acoustics. This switch produces a dampened sound during use, ensuring it doesn't overpower a shared environment while still providing auditory feedback to the typist. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the MX Purple RGB are not detailed, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison. However, due to typical design elements of Cherry switches, one might expect a sound that is more pronounced than that of the Mallo, but without information on the MX Purple RGB, this remains speculative.
Regarding tactile feel, the KTT Mallo switches are designed to provide a feathery and mild typing experience, characterized by a short, medium-strength bump that is neither too intense nor too weak. The switch’s stepped tactile feedback means that users will experience a nuanced transition throughout the keystroke, which can enhance the typing experience by adding a gentle but noticeable feedback without demanding excessive exertion from the fingers. The touch response is further complemented by its subtle resistance, which aids in preventing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The MX Purple RGB switch, however, lacks specific descriptors for tactile feel in the provided information. Still, considering its collaborative development with keyboard enthusiasts, it would likely offer a refined tactile feedback experience aimed at balance and responsiveness.
In conclusion, while the KTT Mallo switch is distinctively known for its subdued sound and gentle tactile feedback, the Cherry MX Purple RGB switch’s sound qualities remain undetermined. The Mallo provides an approachable typing feel that is light and mild, making it suitable for prolonged use, which is an essential quality for many typists. Although the MX Purple RGB's specifics around feel are lacking, it is designed to cater to a similar audience of typing enthusiasts who value refined tactile sensations. Overall, if you're leaning towards tactile switches, both options may yield satisfying results in the right setup, but the Mallo's characteristics provide a clearer understanding with its defined sound and feel traits.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Cherry MX Purple RGB tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you favor a typing experience that balances light actuation with a subdued tactile feedback, the Mallo is an excellent choice. Its medium-light feel, coupled with a gentle tactility and a neutral sound signature, makes it particularly suitable for long typing sessions in shared spaces or quiet environments where you don't want to disturb others. The Mallo is ideal for typists who appreciate a subdued yet satisfying feel without excessive actuation force. Conversely, if you prefer a more pronounced tactile bump that still manages to feel refined, the Cherry MX Purple is worth considering. While its exact bottom-out force is uncertain, it has been designed with input from keyboard enthusiasts, likely catering to those who desire a more robust tactile experience. This switch may be best for users who enjoy a firmer typing feel, allowing for a satisfying tactile response with each keystroke—potentially beneficial for gaming and tasks requiring quick, accurate input. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your personal typing style and the environments in which you will be using the keyboard.
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