KTT Mint vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Mint and the Huano Sakura present two distinct options for enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience. The KTT Mint is lauded for its satisfyingly smooth operation, characterized by a unique long pole stem that delivers a poppy thockiness with each keystroke. This linear switch provides a light and fleeting typing feel, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a low-pitched and polished experience during fast-paced gaming or typing sessions. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura offers a feather-light touch that facilitates effortless typing, appealing especially to users who spend long hours at their keyboards. The Sakura's medium acoustics strike a balance, ensuring a pleasant audio experience without being overly intrusive. Ultimately, while both switches cater to different preferences in terms of tactile feedback and sound profile, each presents compelling reasons to be chosen based on individual typing habits. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Mint and the Huano Sakura both utilize different materials for their top housings, resulting in distinctive sound profiles and aesthetic characteristics. The Mint features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, which contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile often favored in RGB-lit setups. In contrast, the Sakura employs a POK (polyketone) top housing, which excels in providing a smooth typing experience due to its low coefficient of friction. While the Mint's polycarbonate enhances resonance and clarity, the Sakura's POK is designed to deliver a seamless feel, suggesting that users might prefer one switch over the other based on their preference for sound sharpness versus typing smoothness.
Interestingly, both the KTT Mint and Huano Sakura integrate nylon for their bottom housings, which establishes common ground in their overall sound profile. Nylon, recognized for its softer nature, absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. As both switches feature nylon for this component, they create a consistent duller tone when bottoming out, contributing to a rounder sound profile. Despite the differences in the top housing materials, this shared nylon bottom allows each switch to produce a similar foundation of sound and feel, leading to a harmonious aspect in user experience even with their different top housing compositions.
The interaction of the top and bottom housing materials indicates that the KTT Mint and Huano Sakura have unique yet complementary sound signatures. While the Mint emphasizes a sharper top end due to its polycarbonate housing, the Sakura balances this with a smoother actuation provided by its POK material. Regardless of these variations, the nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches share a characteristic fullness in sound when pressed, highlighting the importance of each material's role in the overall acoustic performance of the switches. Therefore, regardless of the specific traits of each switch, users can expect a rich and nuanced typing experience stemming from the thoughtful combination of these materials.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Mint linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, distinct differences emerge in both actuation and bottom out forces. The KTT Mint has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Huano Sakura features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a light option overall. This means that for users who prefer a softer touch, the Sakura is the better choice, allowing for extended typing sessions with less fatigue. The Mint, being heavier, offers a more substantial feel that some users might prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Consequently, those who lean towards lighter switches will find the Sakura more appealing, while those desiring a stronger push will likely gravitate towards the Mint.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, a clear difference emerges. The KTT Mint features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional standard and offers a more pronounced depth when pressing down, catering to those who prefer a substantial tactile experience. In contrast, the Huano Sakura has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it more responsive and potentially appealing to gamers who favor quick actuation for faster response times. Thus, while both switches serve different preferences, the KTT Mint is the longer option, providing a deeper feel, whereas the Huano Sakura is shorter and aims for a snappier performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Mint comes in at $2.91, whereas the Huano Sakura comes in at $3.50.
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 produces a low-pitched sound that offers a bass-heavy and mellow tone, coupled with a neutral acoustic profile that works well in a variety of settings, making them suitable for both home and office use. On the other hand, while the sound characteristics of the Huano Sakura linear switch are not explicitly detailed, it is known to provide medium acoustics, which may give a balanced auditory experience. Both switches will undoubtedly have some variance in the sound produced, largely influenced by the keyboard design and keycap choice, but the Mint's clear bass quality and the Sakura's medium acoustics suggest a subtle difference in audible feedback.
In terms of feel, the KTT Mint offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable, suitable for users who prefer a smooth and refined touch. The polished finish further enhances this characteristic, allowing for reduced friction and a sleek feel during key travel. The Sakura switch, however, does not have specific descriptors related to its feel. However, since the Sakura is noted for its feather-light touch, it suggests a different sensation, perhaps leaning towards a softer actuation compared to the Mint's polished profile. While both switches provide a smooth typing experience, the Sakura may emphasize lightness more, potentially making it preferable for those who favor minimal resistance.
Overall, both the KTT Mint and Huano Sakura linear switches present compelling options for newcomers to mechanical keyboards. The Mint stands out with its pronounced low-pitched sound and polished feel, appealing to users who appreciate a smooth and poppy typing experience. Meanwhile, the Sakura’s feather-light touch and medium acoustics may cater to those who prioritize comfort during long typing sessions. Ultimately, while each switch has its unique qualities, they can both cater to a variety of typing preferences and styles. Your choice will depend on whether you prefer the bass-rich timbre and sleek feel of the Mint or the lighter, more subtle experience that the Sakura may offer.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Mint linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, consider your typing preferences and intended usage. If you favor a slightly firmer feel and enjoy a satisfying, smooth typing experience with a bit of thockiness, the KTT Mint is likely your best choice. Its moderate bottom-out force of 53 grams provides a balanced typing experience that can be great for both casual use and more demanding typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a feather-light touch that minimizes fatigue during prolonged typing, the Huano Sakura is the way to go, with its lower bottom-out force of 45 grams and a sound profile that promotes a quieter environment. This makes the Sakura particularly suitable for extensive typing tasks or in shared spaces where noise is a concern. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you seek a smooth and slightly more tactile experience with the Mints or a softer, lighter touch with the Sakuras.
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