KTT Mint vs. Outemu Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Mint and Outemu Cream Yellow offer distinct typing experiences worth considering. The Mint is a linear switch loved for its smooth and satisfying feel, providing a poppy thockiness and light keypresses. In contrast, the Cream Yellow is a tactile switch known for its yet to be determined characteristics. If you prefer a linear switch with a polished feel, the Mint may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for a tactile switch with yet to be determined qualities, the Cream Yellow could be worth exploring. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Mint and the Outemu Cream Yellow, one notable difference is that the Mint uses a polycarbonate top housing, while the Cream Yellow uses a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while nylon tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profiles can significantly affect the overall typing experience for users, with the Mint offering a more crisp sound and the Cream Yellow providing a more resonant feel. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Mint allows for RGB lighting, adding a unique visual element to the switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Mint and the Cream Yellow opt for a nylon material. This choice results in a similar typing experience for users, as nylon's softer properties absorb more sound and create a duller, rounder sound profile. While the top housing may have a more significant impact on the sound when the key is released, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play during the key press and bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, despite differences in the top housing materials, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both the Mint and the Cream Yellow offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
Overall, the combination of housing materials in switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and typing experience for users. With the Mint's polycarbonate top housing and Cream Yellow's nylon top housing offering distinct sound profiles, users can choose based on their preference for a sharper, high-pitched sound or a deeper, fuller sound. However, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound absorption and overall feel. Whether users prioritize sound profile or typing comfort, both the Mint and the Cream Yellow provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Mint has a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Cream Yellow has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This makes the Mint switch more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, as it requires less force to bottom out. In contrast, the Cream Yellow switch would be a better choice for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel, as it has a heavier bottom out force. Overall, the choice between these two switches would depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Mint linear switch is 4.0 mm, while the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance compared to the Mint. A shorter travel distance is often preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more gradual and satisfying key press for some users. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, with the Mint offering a slightly longer travel distance than the Cream Yellow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Mint comes in at $2.91, whereas the Outemu Cream Yellow 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Mint linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most users. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch is unknown. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the KTT Mint linear switch is described as offering a mild and polished typing experience. This means that the switch provides a gentle typing feel with smooth and refined key travel due to its smooth finish, making it approachable to most users. Unfortunately, details about the tactile feel of the Outemu Cream Yellow switch are not available.
Overall, while the specific characteristics of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch remain unknown, based on the information provided, you can expect the KTT Mint linear switch to offer a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a unique poppy thockiness and light, fleeting feel. Both switches may provide similar results in terms of sound and feel depending on other factors such as keyboard setup and personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, you should consider the following factors. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a satisfyingly smooth linear typing experience with a poppy thockiness, then the Mint switch is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a tactile switch with a different feel, the Cream Yellow switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile. Consider trying out both switches to see which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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