KTT Miaowu vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Miaowu and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Miaowu switch is renowned for its enhanced stem stability and smoother keystroke action, thanks to the utilization of POK in its stem, setting it apart from traditional POM stems. It is often described as 'bouncy' and 'clacky', providing a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red maintains the classic feel of the MX Red switch but operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. It is noted for being 'muted', 'thocky', 'low-pitched', and 'textured'. While both switches offer distinct advantages, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
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
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Miaowu and the Cherry MX Silent Red provide different sound profiles and tactile feedback due to their use of polycarbonate and nylon respectively. The Miaowu's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for those who prefer a crisper typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Red's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, offering a more muted and rounded typing feel. This difference in material highlights how the choice of housing can significantly impact the overall typing experience for users.
While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, the Miaowu's use of nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. Conversely, the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing also provides a duller and rounder sound profile, maintaining consistency in its typing experience. Despite the shared material for the bottom housing, the two switches showcase how subtle variations in housing design can result in distinct tactile feedback and sound characteristics. Users can expect a consistent experience in terms of sound quality and typing feel when using either switch.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the KTT Miaowu and Cherry MX Silent Red highlights the importance of material selection in determining the overall typing experience. The Miaowu's polycarbonate top housing offers a clear and resonant sound profile, while the Silent Red's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, both switches benefit from the absorbing properties of nylon in their bottom housings, resulting in a consistent tactile feedback and sound profile in that aspect. By understanding the unique qualities of each housing material, users can choose a switch that best suits their preferences in terms of sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, we can see that the Miaowu has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the MX Silent Red's 45 grams, making the Miaowu the lighter option. However, the Miaowu has a heavier bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force of the MX Silent Red is unknown. In terms of weight, the Miaowu would be better suited for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the MX Silent Red may be preferred by those who prefer a bit more resistance for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer a similar actuation force, so users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The KTT Miaowu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices among gamers looking for quicker response times. The Miaowu offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those looking for a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red provides a bit more depth in its travel, which some users may find more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of desired travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Miaowu has an MSRP of $4.32 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Miaowu for $3.71.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 qualities of the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the Miaowu offers a clacky sound profile, characterized by sharp and snappy clicks with a crisp and bright tone. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red provides a muted and thocky sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience with a deep and satisfying thud-like noise. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Miaowu being more energetic and the MX Silent Red focusing on minimizing noise for quieter environments.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the KTT Miaowu is noted for its bouncy feedback, providing a spring-like and elastic sensation when pressed that gives a lively rebound effect. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as textured, meaning that it offers noticeable friction when pressed, which can create a different tactile experience for users who prefer a bit of resistance in their keystrokes. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback, with the Miaowu emphasizing a bouncier feel and the MX Silent Red focusing on a textured sensation for typists to enjoy.
In conclusion, the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Miaowu provides a clacky sound and bouncy feel, ideal for those who enjoy a lively typing experience, the MX Silent Red offers a muted sound profile and textured feel, catering to users who prefer a quieter and slightly more resistant keypress. With their differences in sound and feel, users can choose between the switches based on their personal preferences for typing feedback. Both switches will provide satisfying results, albeit in different ways.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the KTT Miaowu linear switch or the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, your decision should be based on your specific preferences and needs. If you value a smoother keystroke action and stem stability, the Miaowu switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience and prefer a slightly heftier feel, the MX Silent Red switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and environment. Happy typing!
Mentioned in this article
