KTT Mint vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) 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 TTC Silent Bluish White. The Mint is a linear switch that is best known for its satisfyingly smooth typing experience. With a long pole stem, this switch provides a poppy thockiness that many users enjoy. It offers a light and fleeting type feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a lighter touch while typing. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch that offers a medium level of resistance when pressed, giving users a precise and comfortable typing experience. Despite its tactile feedback, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. While these general pointers can help guide your decision-making process, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
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
The KTT Mint and TTC Silent Bluish White switches share similar housing materials for both the top and bottom, utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. This commonality means that both switches will have similar sound profiles and characteristics. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffness and translucency, making it ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In terms of typing experience, the qualities of the bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key.
Despite the similarities in housing materials, there may still be subtle differences between the KTT Mint and TTC Silent Bluish White switches. The exact composition or formulation of the polycarbonate and nylon used in each switch's housing might vary, leading to slightly different sound characteristics. It's also possible that the manufacturing processes or tolerances may differ, affecting the overall feel and sound of the switches. However, these variances are likely to be minimal and may not be noticeable to the average user.
Ultimately, whether you opt for the KTT Mint or the TTC Silent Bluish White, you can expect to achieve similar results when it comes to the housing materials. Both switches will offer a clear and resonant sound profile due to the polycarbonate top housing, while the nylon bottom housing will add depth and fullness to the typing experience. These choices in housing materials ensure that both switches deliver an optimal auditory and tactile feedback, resulting in a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, it becomes apparent that they differ slightly in terms of their weight. The Mint switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Bluish White switch's actuation force of 42 grams, making the Mint switch a bit more resistant to accidental keystrokes. Similarly, the Mint switch also has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 53 grams in comparison to the Silent Bluish White switch's bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Mint switch provides a slightly more substantial typing experience, offering a stronger push feel. However, both switches fall within the medium-light to light range, ensuring that users will still have a relatively comfortable and easy typing experience. Therefore, if one prefers a lighter switch, both options can provide similar results, while those who enjoy a heavier and more tactile typing experience may opt for the Mint switch.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the KTT Mint linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see that the Mint has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Mint has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Bluish White. Generally, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional, while 3.5 mm is shallower. However, nowadays, shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Bluish White may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer switches with a bit more depth. In that case, the longer travel distance of the Mint switch would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switch options will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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
The KTT Mint linear switch is best known for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, which provides a light and fleeting typing experience. This switch offers a poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem. In terms of sound, the Mint has a low-pitched and neutral profile, resulting in a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most intents and purposes. The Silent Bluish White tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a medium tactile feel with a satisfying level of resistance when pressed. It provides a precise and comfortable typing experience while remaining quiet. The Silent Bluish Whites are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. In terms of sound, these switches are described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Mint and Silent Bluish White switches have some similarities in terms of feel, both described as mild and polished. They offer a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Silent Bluish White switch is also described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White is referred to as a stepped switch, offering a mild tactile sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Overall, while the Mint and Silent Bluish White switches have their unique characteristics in sound and feel, both provide a pleasant typing experience suitable for various use cases.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prioritize a satisfyingly smooth and light linear switch with a poppy thockiness, the KTT Mint is the way to go. With its light and fleeting type feel, it offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactile switch that provides a precise and comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White is the better choice. Despite their medium tactility, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use.
When it comes to sound, the Mint has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which makes it suitable for most purposes. The Silent Bluish White, on the other hand, offers a muted sound that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. If you prioritize a polished and mild typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel, both switches offer these qualities. However, if you prefer a buttery and seamless keystroke experience, the Silent Bluish White excels in this aspect. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White has a stepped feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, which adds to its tactility.
Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing needs. Consider factors such as the type of typing experience you desire, the noise level you can tolerate, and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. Both switches offer their own unique qualities, so choose the one that aligns with your preferences the most.
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