KTT Mannan Pipefish vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Gateron Weightlessness can significantly impact your typing experience. The Mannan Pipefish, a linear switch, is designed for those who prioritize a smooth and effortless action, featuring a light 45g actuation force paired with a lengthened spring that ensures a comfortable and precise typing journey. This switch is ideal for casual typists who enjoy a delightful, strain-free experience as they glide across the keys. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness offers a tactile feel that adds a layer of feedback without overwhelming noise, making it suitable for users who appreciate a connection between their keystrokes and the keyboard's response. With its balanced sound profile complementing its tactile characteristics, the Weightlessness can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction. Each switch offers unique benefits catering to different preferences—whether you value the smoothness of a linear switch or the feedback of a tactile one. 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
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Gateron Weightlessness, a notable distinction lies in the top housing material. The Mannan Pipefish utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, allowing for clearer resonance when typing. In contrast, the Weightlessness employs nylon for its top housing, leading to a deeper, fuller sound. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, thus generating a duller and rounder auditory experience. This fundamental difference in material properties suggests that users may experience varied acoustics based on the respective design choices of each switch.
However, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing material, which is nylon for both the Mannan Pipefish and the Gateron Weightlessness. This shared material influences the overall audio and tactile feedback experienced during typing. As nylon is known to absorb sound, the deeper and rounder sound profile will resonate from both switches when bottomed out. The impact of the bottom housing becomes more pronounced, as this portion significantly influences the feel and sound upon key engagement. Thus, while the top housings offer contrasting characteristics, the similar bottom housing ensures both switches deliver a notably fuller sound upon key presses.
In essence, although the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Gateron Weightlessness diverge in their top housing materials—polycarbonate versus nylon—their bottom housings unify their performance attributes. Users looking for a nuanced typing experience can expect crisper sounds from the Mannan Pipefish when releasing the keys, thanks to its polycarbonate top, while enjoying the rounder tones from both switches upon bottoming out. Therefore, even with their differences in the top material, the consistent use of nylon in the bottom housing results in comparable experiences in terms of the deeper auditory feedback, emphasizing how combinations of materials shape the overall feel and sound of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force. The Mannan Pipefish features a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, especially during extended use like work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams, catering to those who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. However, the bottom-out force for the Weightlessness is currently unknown, making it challenging to directly compare this aspect with the Mannan Pipefish's bottom-out force of 45 grams. Overall, while the Mannan Pipefish is the lighter option, the Weightlessness caters to users who appreciate a heavier tactile feedback, contributing to vastly different typing experiences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, it's clear that the Mannan Pipefish offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Weightlessness has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This difference in distance highlights key preferences among users; while gamers may favor the quicker response offered by the Weightlessness due to its shorter travel, those who appreciate a more substantial feel when pressing keys might prefer the Mannan Pipefish for its deeper travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch boasts a neutral profile. This means it delivers a moderate sound level that is suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. Its balanced acoustics ensure that it isn’t overly loud, making it an excellent choice for users who appreciate a more understated auditory experience. On the other hand, while the Gateron Weightlessness switches are acknowledged for their subtle to moderate tactile feel, there’s no specific sound description provided. However, it can be inferred that their sound profile would likely align with their tactile characteristics, complementing them without overpowering the typing experience. Overall, while the Mannan Pipefish sound is documented as neutral, the Weightlessness sound characteristics remain unknown but may be similarly balanced.
In terms of feel, the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch delivers an easy-to-press experience. With a light 45g actuation force, it requires minimal effort to activate, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable typing journey. This ease, combined with its polished finish, translates to smooth key travel and reduced friction, which makes for a refined tactile experience. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness switches are described as providing a subtle to moderate tactile feel, though further details on their specific characteristics are not available. This suggests that while they offer tactile feedback, they may not achieve the same level of effortless pressing and smoothness that the Mannan Pipefish provides. Therefore, users who prioritize a plush typing experience may lean towards the Mannan Pipefish.
In conclusion, when comparing the KTT Mannan Pipefish and Gateron Weightlessness switches, the Mannan Pipefish clearly stands out for its smooth, easy-to-press feel and neutral tonal quality. While the Weightlessness switches may offer a tactile feel that provides distinct feedback, their sound profile and overall typing experience remain less defined. For newcomers, the Mannan Pipefish is a fantastic option for those seeking an enjoyable, user-friendly typing experience, while the Weightlessness switches cater to those who appreciate tactile feedback without specific sound or feel guarantees. Ultimately, your choice may come down to whether you prioritize the refined smoothness of the Pipefish or the tactile qualities of the Weightlessness.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch should hinge on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a smooth, effortless typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue, the Mannan Pipefish, with its light 45g actuation force and polished design, would be an excellent fit, particularly for casual typing, gaming, or extended work sessions where comfort is key. Its neutral sound profile makes it versatile enough for use in various environments, whether at home or in an office. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feel to your keystrokes that provides feedback without being overly pronounced, then the Weightlessness switch might be your choice. Its balanced sound profile and moderate tactile feedback can enhance your typing experience without being disruptive. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing style: lean toward the Pipefish for a buttery smooth linear experience, and consider the Weightlessness for a satisfying tactile response.
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