KTT Mint vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Mint linear switch to the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, it is clear that both offer unique characteristics catering to different preferences. The Mint is praised for its smooth linear feel, providing a satisfying typing experience with a poppy thockiness and light touch. On the other hand, the Violet offers a gentle tactile feedback with smooth actuation and pleasing tactility, resulting in a balanced and enjoyable typing experience. While the Mint is categorized as low-pitched and mild, the Violet is described as stepped and neutral. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preferences in terms of typing experience and sound profile. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Mint and Jerrzi Violet both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which creates a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, while the Mint and Violet both feature nylon bottom housings, the nylon material provides a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches.
Despite utilizing different top and bottom housing materials, the Mint and Violet both offer unique sound profiles based on the characteristics of their housing materials. The split between the top and bottom housing materials means that each component contributes different qualities to the overall typing experience. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing material will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material will influence the sound produced when releasing a key, showcasing the distinct characteristics of each material in the switch construction.
While the Mint and Violet differ in their housing materials, both switches offer a combination of polycarbonate and nylon that enhances the typing experience in different ways. The Mint's polycarbonate top housing provides a clear and resonant sound profile, while its nylon bottom housing adds a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the Violet's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp and crisp sound, complementing the duller and rounder sound produced by its nylon bottom housing. Overall, the unique characteristics of each housing material contribute to the overall sound profile and typing experience of these two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, the Mint has a bottom out force of 53 grams, indicating a slightly heavier touch when fully pressing down compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Violet switch. The Mint offers a medium-light typing experience suitable for those who prefer a bit more resistance, while the Violet's tactile feedback may provide a different typing feel, albeit with an uncertainty regarding the bottom out force. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Mint, while those who enjoy a potentially lighter tactile response could opt for the Violet. Each switch offers a unique typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Mint linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Mint has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet, with a difference of 0.3 mm. This can mean that the Mint may provide a slightly deeper feeling when pressed compared to the Violet. For those who prefer a more responsive keypress, the Violet's shorter travel distance may be the better option as it allows for faster response times. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing, the Mint's longer travel distance may offer a more satisfying keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference in terms of feel and response time. Both switches fall within the realm of traditional travel distances, so users can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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
In terms of sound, both the KTT Mint linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that both switches offer a moderate sound level that is suitable for most environments and preferences. However, it is important to note that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel, the Mint linear switch is known for providing a mild and polished typing experience. This means that users can expect a gentle and refined feel when typing on these switches, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction. On the other hand, the Violet tactile switch offers a stepped feel, which means that it provides a more subtle tactile feedback compared to switches with a more pronounced bump. Users may feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel with the Violet switch, resulting in a gentle and pleasant typing experience.
Overall, both the KTT Mint linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mint switch provides a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the Violet switch offers a gentle tactile feedback with a neutral sound profile. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these two switches to achieve a balanced and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and light linear switch with a satisfying typing experience, the KTT Mint switch would be a great choice for you. The Mint offers a poppy thockiness and a light feel that many users find enjoyable. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle tactile switch with a smooth actuation and pleasing tactility, the Jerrzi Violet switch might be more to your liking. The Violet switches offer a balanced and pleasant typing experience with a neutral sound signature. Ultimately, your choice between the Mint and Violet switches will depend on whether you prefer linear or tactile switches, as well as the specific typing experience you are looking for.
Mentioned in this article
