KTT Mint vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Mint and Cherry MX Red both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Mint is praised for its smooth linear feel, giving it a light and poppy typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Red is known for its slightly heavier feel and deeper sound, providing a thocky and textured typing experience. While the Mint may appeal to those who prefer a mild and polished switch, the MX Red is favored by those seeking a thocky and low-pitched typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
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
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Mint and Cherry MX Red switches both feature nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. However, the Mint uses a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is more resonant and clear compared to the MX Red's nylon top housing. This difference in materials results in a more distinct sound experience between the two switches, with the Mint offering a crisper sound profile and the MX Red providing a fuller sound.
While both switches have nylon bottom housings that absorb sound and create a rounder sound profile, the Mint's polycarbonate top housing sets it apart from the MX Red. The polycarbonate top housing of the Mint enhances the sharpness and clarity of the sound produced, especially when RGB lighting is used. On the other hand, the MX Red's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, but lacks the same level of sharpness and clarity found in the Mint. These differences in top housing materials create distinct auditory experiences for users of each switch.
In terms of overall sound experience, the housing materials of the KTT Mint and Cherry MX Red switches play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile of each switch. While both switches share a nylon bottom housing that provides a deeper sound profile, the Mint's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and more resonant sound compared to the MX Red's nylon top housing. The combination of different housing materials in each switch results in unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Mint emphasizing clarity and sharpness, while the MX Red focuses on depth and fullness.
Weight
The actuation force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch is the same at 45 grams, making them equal in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the KTT Mint has a slightly heavier force of 53 grams compared to the Cherry MX Red, which has an unknown bottom out force. The Mint switch provides a medium-light feel overall, while the MX Red's bottom out force remains a mystery. The weight of a switch is essential as it affects typing comfort and endurance. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out force of the Mint switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may opt for a heavier push feel provided by the Cherry MX Red for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Mint linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. In terms of comparing and contrasting, they both offer a consistent typing experience in terms of overall key travel. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key press feel and actuation. The only difference between the two switches might lie in other factors such as actuation force or overall build quality. Overall, the travel distance of both the Mint and MX Red linear switches is equal, providing a familiar typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
The KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 per 10 switches.
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 of the Mint and MX Red switches, the Mint offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various settings. In contrast, the MX Red switch produces a thocky and low-pitched sound, delivering a deep, rich, and satisfying auditory experience. The choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard, as factors like keycaps and board material can affect the sound produced by the switches.
In terms of feel, the Mint switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, providing a gentle and refined feel with smooth key travel and reduced friction. On the other hand, the MX Red switch is described as textured, potentially offering a more tactile and rougher typing experience compared to the Mint. Again, personal preference plays a significant role in deciding between the two switches, as some users may prefer the smoothness of the Mint while others may enjoy the texture of the MX Red.
Overall, the Mint and MX Red switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mint provides a light and fleeting feel with a low-pitched and neutral sound, the MX Red offers a slightly heftier feel and deeper thocky sound profile. Depending on whether one prefers a smoother or more textured typing experience and a bass-heavy or richer sound profile, the choice between the two switches will ultimately come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience. Remember that individual outcomes may vary based on the other components of the mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the KTT Mint linear switch or the Cherry MX Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a satisfyingly smooth linear switch with a poppy thockiness and light feel, then the Mint may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, offering a robust typing experience with a satisfying auditory depth, then the MX Red may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so make sure to consider what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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