KTT Mint vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Everglide Sakura Pink 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 Everglide Sakura Pink. The Mint is known for its satisfyingly smooth linear switch, providing a delightful typing experience with its poppy thockiness. It has a light and fleeting type feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a softer touch. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are super light and boast a feather-light 35g actuation force, making them perfect for delicate typists. These switches offer a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, resulting in a smooth and effortless typing experience. They also produce a delightfully poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs and preferences.
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
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Mint and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches share some similarities and differences. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. So, both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and lighting.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, they differ. The Mint switch features a nylon bottom housing, while the Sakura Pink switch utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, a classic switch housing material, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, similar to its top housing.
The distinction between the bottom and top housings is important for understanding the overall sound and feel of the switches. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound. Therefore, the specific combination of top and bottom housings in each switch will determine the overall typing experience, with the Mint offering a potentially deeper and fuller bottom-out sound and the Sakura Pink providing a crisper and sharper sound when key release occurs.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Mint switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light resistance for typing. In contrast, the Sakura Pink switch requires a lighter touch, with an actuation force of 35 grams. This makes the Sakura Pink switch more suitable for those who prefer a feather-light keystroke.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Mint switch requires a slightly heavier force of 53 grams to fully depress the key, offering a slightly more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, which means it requires less pressure to fully press down.
In terms of weight, the Sakura Pink switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Mint switch. This lightness can be beneficial for individuals who spend long hours typing or gaming, as it allows for extended periods of comfortable use. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Mint switch with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces would be a better option.
It is important to note that while the Mint and Sakura Pink switches differ in their actuation and bottom out forces, both can provide similar results for individuals with varying preferences. Whether you prefer a medium-light actuation force or a lighter touch, both switches offer options that cater to different typing preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressed down. This distance directly affects the tactile feel and experience of using a keyboard. In comparing the travel distance of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it can be noted that both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a similar travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both the KTT Mint and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer the same results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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, the KTT Mint linear switch has a low-pitched sound profile, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It is also described as having a neutral sound, making it suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular clacky switches. The Sakura Pink adds a playful touch to your typing sessions with its delightfully poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped.
In terms of feel, the Mint switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone, providing a gentle typing experience with its smooth and refined finish. The Sakura Pink, on the other hand, is described as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation, as if gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. These switches have a light actuation force of 35g, making them perfect for delicate typists and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Based on the available information, the KTT Mint and Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer different subjective qualities. The Mint provides a satisfyingly smooth and poppy thockiness, while the Sakura Pink boasts a feather-light actuation force, gliding type feel, and a playful poppy sound. Both switches offer smooth and effortless typing experiences, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. However, it's important to note that the sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a satisfyingly smooth linear switch with a light and fleeting typing feel, then the KTT Mint is a great choice. Its 53-gram bottom out force provides a medium-light resistance, and its long pole stem offers a poppy thockiness that adds to the typing experience. In terms of sound, the Mint has a low-pitched and neutral profile, making it suitable for various settings. Additionally, its mild and polished feel ensures a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter switch with a feather-light 45-gram bottom out force, the Everglide Sakura Pink is the switch for you. These switches are perfect for delicate typists, offering a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation that provides a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Sakura Pink switches also produce a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your typing sessions. With a muted sound profile, these switches offer a quieter experience compared to regular or clacky switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Mint and the Everglide Sakura Pink depends on your preferences. If you value a slightly heavier resistance and a poppy thockiness in sound, go for the Mint. However, if you prefer an extremely light switch with a gliding feel and a quieter sound profile, the Sakura Pink is the way to go. Both switches offer a smooth and enjoyable typing experience, so you can't go wrong with either choice.
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