Cherry MX Silent Red vs. KTT Peach
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Peach. The Cherry MX Silent Red is a linear switch that offers a slightly heftier feel compared to the classic MX Red, but with the added benefit of operating silently. This switch provides a satisfying typing experience with a significantly quieter sound profile, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the KTT Peach is also a linear switch known for its syrupy smooth typing experience and deep, thocky sound profile. While the Cherry MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured', the KTT Peach falls under the categories of 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Mild'. Both switches have their own unique qualities that may appeal 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
Overall, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Peach both use nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. This commonality means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when it comes to bottoming out keys. However, where the two switches differ is in their top housing materials. The MX Silent Red utilizes nylon in its top housing, providing a duller and rounder sound profile, while the Peach features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This distinction in top housing material will impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, making them suitable for different preferences.
In terms of aesthetics, the KTT Peach's clear polycarbonate top housing offers the advantage of enhancing RGB lighting effects, making it a visually appealing option for those looking to customize their keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red's opaque nylon top housing may not be as visually striking, but it still delivers a unique sound profile that some users may prefer for a quieter typing experience. Additionally, the choice between polycarbonate and nylon top housing materials may influence the overall typing experience, as the different properties of each material can affect the sound and feel of the switches.
Ultimately, the decision between the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Peach will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and aesthetics. While both switches share a common nylon bottom housing for a deep and full sound profile, the choice of top housing material will significantly impact the overall typing experience. Whether you prioritize a duller and rounder sound profile with the MX Silent Red's nylon top housing or a sharper and crisper sound profile with the Peach's polycarbonate top housing, each switch offers a unique typing experience suited to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the MX Silent Red has an unknown bottom out force, while the KTT Peach has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which falls into the medium-light category. This means that the KTT Peach switch requires a slightly heavier force to fully press down compared to the MX Silent Red. When it comes to weight, the MX Silent Red would be considered lighter since it has no bottom out force listed, while the KTT Peach is the heavier of the two. The choice between the two switches would depend on individual preference, with the MX Silent Red being suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, and the KTT Peach being ideal for those who prefer a slightly stronger push feel for typing. Ultimately, the difference in bottom out force may result in a more substantial typing experience with the KTT Peach switch compared to the MX Silent Red.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, it is clear that the MX Silent Red has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the Peach's 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the MX Silent Red may be preferred by gamers looking for quicker response times, while the slightly longer travel distance of the Peach may provide a more substantial keypress for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their travel distances, so choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preference. However, if you are looking for a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance, both switches can provide satisfactory results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
The KTT Peach 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, the Cherry MX Silent Red is known for its muted and thocky sound profile, creating a softer and quieter typing experience with a deep, rich tone. On the other hand, the KTT Peach linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement. While both switches differ in their sound characteristics, they both offer a satisfying typing experience suitable for various environments. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as having a textured feel, which may appeal to users who prefer some friction when typing. On the contrary, the KTT Peach switch is known for its mild feel, offering a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. Both switches provide a smooth typing experience, with the preference between a textured or mild feel being subjective to the user's personal preference.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Silent Red and KTT Peach linear switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the MX Silent Red provides a quieter and slightly heftier typing experience with a thocky sound, the KTT Peach switch offers a deep, mellow sound with a gentle typing feel. Depending on whether you prefer a textured or mild feel, as well as a muted or low-pitched sound profile, both switches will deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you get similar results in terms of performance and quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Peach linear switch, consider your environment and typing preferences. If you require a significantly quieter typing experience for noise-sensitive environments, the MX Silent Red would be the ideal choice with its silent operation and muted sound profile. On the other hand, if you appreciate a smooth typing experience with a deep, thocky sound profile, the KTT Peach switch would be a great option with its syrupy smooth feel and low-pitched sound. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize silence or a unique typing feel and sound when choosing between these two switches.
Mentioned in this article
