KTT Mint vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the KTT Mint and the KTT Orange. The Mint switch is best known for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, offering a poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem. With a light and fleeting typing experience, it falls into the categories of low-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Orange switch stands out with its bouncy type feel, thanks to a 22mm long spring. It features a polycarbonate milky top housing, a long pole POM stem, and a vibrant orange nylon bottom housing, resulting in a slick and frictionless typing experience. The Orange switch is renowned for its low-pitched sound profile and the benefits of excellent factory-lubing, ensuring refined and fluid key travel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you choose the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The KTT Mint and KTT Orange both feature polycarbonate top housings, which results in a similar sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in both switches creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, which leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful if you plan to use RGB lighting. So, whether you choose the Mint or the Orange, you can expect a similar sound experience when pressing down on the keys.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Mint and the Orange differ in material. The Mint utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Orange uses a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This means that the Orange's bottom-out sound and feel will be sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper, just like the sound produced when letting go of a key.
In summary, both the KTT Mint and the KTT Orange produce a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to the polycarbonate material used in their top housings. The main difference lies in the bottom housings, with the Mint featuring a nylon material for a deeper and fuller sound, while the Orange maintains the sharp and resonant sound profile with its polycarbonate bottom housing. Regardless of the housing material differences, pressing down on the keys will provide a similar sound experience, while the sound when letting go of a key may vary between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, it is evident that they are very similar. Both switches have a bottom out force of 53 grams, indicating a medium-light weight. However, the Mint requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Orange requires 46 grams. While this difference may be negligible to some, it could be beneficial for those who prefer a lighter touch. In terms of weight, both switches fall within the medium-light category, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, whether one prefers a lighter or heavier feel depends on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Mint linear switch is 4 mm, while the travel distance of the KTT Orange linear switch is 3.5 mm. This means that the Mint has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Orange. A travel distance of 4.0mm is considered to be the most traditional option, while 3.5mm is on the shallower side. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the shorter travel distance of the Orange switch would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a keypress with more depth and a more substantial feel, then the Mint switch with its longer travel distance would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
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 it comes to sound, both the KTT Mint and KTT Orange switches have a low-pitched tone, giving them a bass-heavy and mellow sound profile. This makes them suitable for a variety of environments, whether you are using them at home or in an office setting. However, the Mint switches are also described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate actuation force requirement and are suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
In terms of feel, the Mint switches offer a mild typing experience with their smooth and refined finish. This polished switch provides a sleek and approachable typing feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Orange switches provide a bouncy typing feel with a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. They offer a lively feel and rebound when pressed, providing a different tactile experience than the Mint switches. Additionally, the Orange switches are described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.
In conclusion, both the KTT Mint and KTT Orange switches have their own subjective qualities that make them appealing to different users. The Mint switches provide a satisfyingly smooth linear feel with a poppy thockiness, while the Orange switches offer a bouncy and frictionless typing experience. When it comes to sound, both switches have a low-pitched tone that adds a bass-heavy and mellow characteristic. The choice between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience, but rest assured that both options will provide a pleasing result.
Conclusion
In closing, the decision between choosing the KTT Mint linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a satisfyingly smooth and poppy thockiness with a light and fleeting type feel, then the Mint switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy type feel with a low-pitched sound profile and a slick, frictionless typing experience, then the Orange switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer a low-pitched sound and a refined, fluid key travel. Additionally, the Mint switch has a mild and polished feel, providing a gentle and sleek typing experience, while the Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless feel, giving you a lively and effortless typing sensation. Ultimately, consider your desired sound, feel, and typing preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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