KTT Mint vs. HMX SU

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the KTT Mint and the HMX SU each present unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The KTT Mint is celebrated for its satisfyingly smooth performance, offering a poppy thockiness derived from its long pole stem, making every keystroke feel both light and fleeting. This switch is categorized as low-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a refined and soft typing experience. In contrast, the HMX SU features a full PA12 housing and a T5 stem, which together create a subtle yet relatively deep sound profile, appealing to users who prefer a more pronounced acoustic feedback without being overly loud. While both switches are designed for linear action, the KTT Mint brings a lighter, more agile feel, whereas the HMX SU offers a richer auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Mint Linear

HMX SU Linear

$2.91 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Mint and the HMX SU switches exhibit contrasting characteristics in their top housing materials, which fundamentally affects their sound profiles. The KTT Mint utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucency. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing, primarily due to polycarbonate's ability to resonate sound more clearly. Additionally, the clear nature of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal when RGB lighting is applied, allowing the colors to shine through vividly. In contrast, the HMX SU features a nylon top housing, traditionally recognized for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon absorbs more sound owing to its softer plastic composition, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that contrasts starkly with the crispness of the Mint’s polycarbonate top.

In terms of their bottom housing materials, both the KTT Mint and HMX SU switches utilize nylon, which creates a uniformity in their sound profiles at the base level. The nylon bottom housing contributes similarly to both switches, providing the desired depth and fullness to the typing experience. Nylon’s ability to absorb sound ensures that the bottom-out sound feels softer, maintaining consistency in overall acoustics for bottom-end impact. Therefore, while the Mint and SU differ in their top housing compositions, the shared nylon bottom significantly influences their tactile feedback and sound character, allowing both switches to deliver a satisfying, rounded typing experience.

Ultimately, the combination of unique top housings and shared bottom housings in both the KTT Mint and HMX SU highlights the importance of material selection in keyboard switches. The differing top materials emphasize distinct sound profiles, with the Mint favoring clarity and brightness, and the SU tending towards warmth and depth. However, by employing nylon in the bottom housings, both switches maintain a common ground in delivering a deeper sound experience. As a result, users looking for varied auditory experiences can appreciate how the interplay of materials shapes their typing acoustics and tactile feedback, with the potential for personalization through switch selection based on these sound characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Mint linear switch to the HMX SU linear switch, both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning users can expect a consistent keystroke trigger from either switch. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the Mint switch requiring a slightly heavier push at 53 grams compared to the SU switch's 50 grams. This makes the HMX SU linear switch the lighter option overall, which may appeal to those who prioritize comfort during long typing sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, the Mint's heavier bottom out force provides a more substantial feel that some typists might prefer for a tactile experience. Consequently, while both switches offer the same actuation for activating keys, the KTT Mint gives a bit more of a push at the bottom, catering to users who appreciate that increased resistance.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Mint linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, the KTT Mint has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX SU measures 3.6 mm. This makes the Mint switch the longer option, offering a more pronounced depth that some users may prefer for a more tactile feel during typing or gaming. In contrast, the HMX SU, with its shorter travel distance, caters to gamers and users who prioritize responsiveness and quicker actuation. Although both switches provide a functional experience, the shorter travel distance of the SU may feel more abrupt and conducive to faster keystrokes, making it suitable for those focused on rapid input. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for depth versus responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Mint linear switch presents a low-pitched, neutral audio profile that contributes to a mellow, bass-heavy typing experience. This is ideal for users who appreciate a more subdued auditory backdrop while typing, making it versatile enough for both casual and professional environments. In contrast, the HMX SU linear switch lacks specific sound descriptors, so its auditory characteristics remain unknown. Nevertheless, sound perception is influenced by various factors, such as the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps, which means that selecting the right setup can yield similar results between the two switches.

In terms of feel, the Mint switch excels with its mild and polished characteristics. The typing experience is gentle and refined, offering users a smooth key travel that minimizes friction, which is often enhanced by factory lubing. This makes the Mint accessible and comfortable for new users, while still satisfying for those with more experience. On the other hand, the HMX SU switch does not provide definitive information regarding its feel, leaving potential users in the dark about what to expect in terms of typing experience.

Overall, the KTT Mint linear switch is well-suited for those seeking a smooth, low-pitched, and versatile typing experience characterized by gentle feedback and a polished feel. In contrast, the HMX SU linear switch offers an unspecified auditory and tactile experience, which may require further exploration to understand its true qualities better. Users who value a more refined sound and feel will likely lean toward the KTT Mint, while those open to experimentation might appreciate what the HMX SU could provide, once more information about its characteristics becomes available.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Mint linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a medium-light feel with a satisfying smoothness that delivers a thocky typing experience, the KTT Mint is an excellent choice. Its low-pitched sound profile and polished finish create an approachable typing environment, making it suitable for both work and leisure activities. On the other hand, if you prefer something with an even lighter actuation force and a subtly deeper sound, the HMX SU linear switch might be more your speed. The unique design of its PA12 housing with a T5 stem offers a gentle typing experience that is still enjoyable, especially if you’re typically drawn to lighter touches. Ultimately, consider what kind of feedback and sound profile resonates with you, as that will guide you toward the switch that will enhance your overall typing experience the most.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Mint Linear

$2.91 per 10

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HMX SU Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more