KTT Mint vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Mint and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer a unique typing experience. The Mint is praised for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, featuring a poppy thockiness and a light, fleeting type feel. On the other hand, the Venus stands out with its innovative internal design that provides a seamless glide and a "Q-texture" resistance, giving it a matte sensation that is both smooth and engaging. While the Mint is categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, the Venus boasts characteristics such as buttery, gummy, frictionless, and subdued. Ultimately, both switches offer different tactile and auditory sensations, catering to different preferences. 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
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The KTT Mint and TTC Venus switches both utilize different materials for their housing components, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Mint features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially suitable for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Venus uses a POM top housing, producing a deeper and more muted sound. However, both switches share a polycarbonate bottom housing, offering a clearer and resonant sound profile that is impactful on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the KTT Mint incorporates a nylon bottom housing, known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the TTC Venus uses a polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile similar to the Mint's top housing. The differences in bottom housing materials can have a significant impact on the overall typing experience, as the bottom-out sound and feel are influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing of each switch.
Overall, while the KTT Mint and TTC Venus switches have distinct sound profiles attributed to their housing materials, they both offer unique typing experiences. The combination of different housing materials in each switch results in a balanced sound profile that is influenced by both the top and bottom housing components. Whether it be the stiffer polycarbonate or softer nylon materials used in the housing, these switches provide users with a variety of options to suit their preferences in terms of sound and feel while typing.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch are quite similar, with both having an actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Mint requires 53 grams, while the Venus requires 52 grams. This makes the Venus slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force. Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing between these switches. Some may prefer the lighter Mint switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may opt for the slightly heavier Venus switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium-light actuation and bottom out force, providing the user with a comfortable and responsive typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the KTT Mint linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is clear that the Mint has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Venus has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Mint being slightly on the longer side and the Venus on the shorter side. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Venus with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a deeper feel when pressing down on a key may lean towards the Mint. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the specific experience each individual is looking for in their keyboard usage.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 Mint linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, resulting in a mellow tone suitable for various settings. On the other hand, the Venus linear switch provides a low-pitched, muted, neutral, subdued, and thocky sound experience, creating a softer, quieter, and more engaging auditory response with each keystroke.
In terms of feel, the Mint linear switch provides a mild and polished typing sensation, offering a gentle and refined keypress experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, the Venus linear switch offers a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished feel, ensuring a smooth, fluid, and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance and a seamless key travel.
Overall, both the KTT Mint and TTC Venus linear switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Mint switch may provide a slightly more neutral and mild typing experience, the Venus switch stands out with its distinctive matte sensation and engaging "Q-texture." Depending on personal preferences, users can expect satisfyingly smooth keystrokes and rapid typing with both switches, along with a choice between a more subdued or engaging sound profile. Ultimately, whether opting for the Mint or Venus linear switch, users can anticipate a high-quality typing experience with comparable results.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Mint linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, you should consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a satisfyingly smooth linear switch with a light and fleeting typing feel, the KTT Mint may be the right choice for you. Its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with its mild and polished feel, make it a versatile option suitable for various environments. On the other hand, if you value an innovative internal configuration that provides a seamless glide and a unique "matte" sensation combined with a light actuation for rapid typing, the TTC Venus could be more suited to your preferences. With its low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound characteristics and its buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished feel, the Venus offers a different typing experience. Ultimately, both switches have their distinct qualities to cater to different preferences, so your choice will depend on your individual typing style and sound preferences.
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