Cherry MX Black vs. KTT Peach
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the KTT Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are various options to choose from, each offering a unique typing experience. Two such switches, the Cherry MX Black and the KTT Peach, are both classified as linear switches, but differ in their characteristics. The MX Black, renowned for its smoothness and deep sound profile, features Cherry's new Hyperglide tooling, providing a textured feel. On the other hand, the Peach switch, known for its syrupy smooth typing experience and thocky sound profile, offers a more mild and neutral feel. While these general distinctions can provide some insight, it is essential to take a deeper dive into the key aspects of each switch to determine the best fit for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Black and the KTT Peach switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The MX Black features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon. This material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Peach switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffer nature leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency, making it visually appealing for those interested in customizable RGB lighting effects.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the MX Black and Peach switches incorporate nylon as the housing material. This choice of material for the bottom housing ensures a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's softer plastic composition and its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, despite the differences in the top housing materials, the two switches share a similarity in their bottom housing material, resulting in a similar sound response when typing on the switches.
However, it's worth noting that when both top and bottom housings differ in a switch, the qualities of each housing material are distributed accordingly. When pressing down on a switch, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is more influenced by the bottom housing material. Conversely, the sound when releasing a key is primarily affected by the top housing material. Therefore, these differences in housing materials can influence the overall typing experience and sound feedback of the switches, allowing users to choose their preferred sound profile based on personal preference.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, there are noticeable differences in weight that can greatly impact the typing experience. The MX Black switch features a heavy actuation force of 60 grams, requiring a significant amount of pressure to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Peach switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, providing a more responsive and effortless keystroke.
Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the MX Black switch requires a force of 80 grams to fully depress the key. This heavier bottom out force can provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Peach switch has a comparatively lighter bottom out force of 53 grams, which allows for quicker and smoother key presses.
Considering the weight implications, those who value a lighter typing experience for extended periods of typing or gaming sessions may find the Peach switch to be more favorable. With its lower actuation and bottom out force, typing on the Peach switch can be more effortless and comfortable over long periods of use. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial and pronounced typing feel may lean towards the MX Black switch. The heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the MX Black switch can provide a satisfying and tactile typing experience.
In summary, the Cherry MX Black linear switch offers a heavier actuation and bottom out force, while the KTT Peach linear switch provides a lighter and more responsive typing experience. Depending on individual preferences, one may find either option to be more suitable for their desired typing feel and level of effort required.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch and the KTT Peach linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. When pressing down on a key with either switch, users will feel the same 4 mm distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will experience similar results when typing or gaming with either switch. The 4 mm travel distance of both switches provides a comfortable and responsive typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00, whereas the KTT Peach comes in at $2.91.
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 Cherry MX Black and KTT Peach switches have a low-pitched profile, which means they produce a bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This characteristic creates a deep and satisfying sound when typing on both switches. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Therefore, while the sound profiles of both switches are similar, there may be some variations depending on the overall setup.
When it comes to feel, the MX Black switches are described as textured, meaning they have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture, while others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience. Additionally, MX Black switches are considered to be stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. On the other hand, the KTT Peach switches offer a mild typing experience. This means they provide a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The sound and feel of the Peach switches are approachable to most users as they stand in a safe middle-ground zone.
Considering the available information, it is clear that both the Cherry MX Black and KTT Peach switches offer their own set of qualities for a linear switch. They both have a low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and thocky typing experience. However, the MX Black switches have a textured and stiff feel, while the Peach switches offer a mild and gentle typing experience. Depending on personal preference, individuals may gravitate towards one switch over the other. It is important to note that when using these switches, factors such as the chosen keyboard board and keycaps can influence the overall sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches have their merits and can deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a heavy and textured switch with a deep sound profile, the Cherry MX Black is the way to go. With its 80 gram bottom out force and classic textured smoothness, these switches provide a familiar typing experience and a low-pitched sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch with a syrupy smooth typing experience and a deep, thocky sound profile, the KTT Peach is the right choice. With a bottom out force of 53 grams and a low-pitched, neutral sound, these switches offer versatility and a more gentle typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for weight, texture, and sound, so consider these factors when choosing between the Cherry MX Black and KTT Peach switches.
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