KTT Mint vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Mint, a linear switch, to the Outemu Brown, a tactile switch, there are distinct differences in their feel and performance. The Mint is praised for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, offering a poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem. Its light and fleeting type feel make it a popular choice for those who prefer a low-pitched and neutral switch with a mild and polished touch. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown is known for its tactile feedback, providing a slight bump when pressed without the audible click of some other tactile switches. While the Mint excels in providing a smooth typing experience, the Brown offers a more pronounced tactile response for those who prefer a bit of feedback while typing. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the KTT Mint and Outemu Brown switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate is favored for clear housing switches and is especially useful for RGB lighting. However, despite both switches sharing this material for their top housing, the overall feel and sound may vary depending on other factors such as the bottom housing material.
In contrast, the Mint and Brown switches have different bottom housing materials, with the Mint using nylon and the Brown also featuring nylon. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with different bottom housing materials. While both switches offer the benefits of nylon for their bottom housing, there may still be subtle differences in sound and feel based on the combination of housing materials used.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the KTT Mint and Outemu Brown switches offers distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The split qualities of each housing material impact both the bottom-out sound and feel, as well as the sound when releasing a key. Despite the similarities in housing materials between the two switches, the overall user experience may differ based on individual preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, choosing between the Mint and Brown switches may come down to personal preference for the specific sound profile and tactile response each housing material combination provides.
Weight
The KTT Mint linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Brown tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 53 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Mint has a lighter force of 53 grams while the Brown has a heavier force of 65 grams. The Mint switch provides a medium-light typing experience overall, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Brown switch offers a medium-heavy typing experience, which may be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial and tactile feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, their travel distances are the same, so you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of how far the key travels from the top to the bottom. This means that you will get consistent feedback from both switches when typing, with neither one having a shorter or longer travel distance than the other. Overall, both the KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch offer a standard travel distance of 4mm, providing a comfortable and familiar typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Mint comes in at $2.91, whereas the Outemu Brown comes in at $3.10.
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
The KTT Mint linear switch is known for its satisfyingly smooth typing experience, characterized by a poppy thockiness and a light and fleeting feel. The sound produced by the Mint switch is described as low-pitched and neutral, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch lacks specific descriptors for sound and feel. However, tactile switches generally provide a tactile bump during actuation, giving typists a more pronounced feedback compared to linear switches.
When it comes to feel, the Mint switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In comparison, the Outemu Brown switch does not have specific descriptors for feel. Tactile switches like the Outemu Brown typically provide a tactile bump at the actuation point, providing users with a more pronounced feedback during typing.
Overall, the KTT Mint linear switch provides a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished feel. The Outemu Brown tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a tactile bump during actuation, providing typists with more feedback during typing. Ultimately, both switches can cater to different preferences depending on the typing experience desired, with the Mint offering a smoother feel and sound, while the Brown provides a more pronounced tactile feedback.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, you should consider the key factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth linear typing experience with a poppy thockiness, then the Mint switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile typing experience, the Brown switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile. Happy typing!
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