Cherry MX Silent Red vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The MX Silent Red is known for its signature quiet operation, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments while maintaining a slightly heavier feel compared to the MX Red. On the other hand, the TTC Venus stands out with its innovative internal design, providing a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a distinctive "Q-texture" that adds springy resistance. While the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Venus is described as 'Buttery', 'Gummy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Muted', 'Neutral', 'Polished', 'Subdued', and 'Thocky'. 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
52g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom components. The MX Silent Red features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and produces a deeper, fuller sound profile, while the Venus uses a POM top housing, known for creating a unique, deeper, and more muted sound. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red has a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a duller and rounder sound, while the Venus incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile.
The choice of housing materials in the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus greatly influences the overall sound and feel of the switches. With the MX Silent Red, the combination of a nylon top housing for a deeper sound and a nylon bottom housing for a fuller sound creates a unique typing experience. Alternatively, the TTC Venus combines a POM top housing for a pleasing deep sound with a polycarbonate bottom housing for a sharper and crisper sound. These differences in materials result in distinct typing experiences for users looking for specific sound profiles in their keyboards.
While the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus differ in their housing materials for both the top and bottom components, they both focus on providing users with unique sound profiles. Whether it's the deep and fuller sound of the MX Silent Red's nylon housing or the pleasing and muted sound of the Venus's POM housing, both switches offer a variety of options for users seeking a specific typing experience. Additionally, the impact of the housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switches demonstrates the importance of choosing the right materials to achieve the desired typing sensation.
Weight
The Cherry MX Silent Red and TTC Venus linear switches both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of initial keystroke pressure. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Venus switch has a slightly heavier pressure of 52 grams compared to the Silent Red's unknown bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Cherry MX Silent Red may be the better choice due to its lower bottom out force, providing a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch offers a slightly stronger push feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it slightly shorter than the TTC Venus linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. While the difference may seem small, it can impact the overall feel and response of the switch. Gamers who prioritize quick and precise movements may prefer the Cherry MX Silent Red for its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more deliberate and substantial key press may find the TTC Venus to be more suitable due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style.
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 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.
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 switch offers a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments while still providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch delivers a low-pitched, muted, neutral, subdued, and thocky sound, creating a unique auditory experience with a balance of deep tones and subtle sounds. Both switches excel in providing a quieter typing experience, with the MX Silent Red focusing on a distinct muted thocky sound, and the TTC Venus offering a blend of low-pitched and subdued tones.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red is known for its textured feel, providing users with a slight friction when pressed. In contrast, the TTC Venus switch offers a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished typing experience. This means that users can expect a smooth and fluid keystroke with the Venus switch, as well as minimal resistance or friction during typing. The Cherry MX Silent Red's textured feel adds a different tactile feedback compared to the Venus's smooth and seamless typing sensation, catering to those who prefer a slight friction in their keystrokes.
Overall, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and the TTC Venus linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the MX Silent Red provides a quieter, slightly textured typing experience with a thocky sound, the TTC Venus switch delivers a softer, smoother keystroke with a blend of low-pitched and subdued tones. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can expect a satisfying typing experience from both switches, with the MX Silent Red offering a more textured feel and thocky sound, and the TTC Venus providing a buttery and frictionless typing sensation with a unique auditory profile.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the MX Silent Red if you prioritize a keyboard switch with a slightly heftier feel while being significantly quieter, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, opt for the TTC Venus if you prefer a switch with a unique internal design that offers a combination of a frictionless glide and a chewy resistance, resulting in a smooth and engaging typing experience with a light actuation force. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you value a quieter typing experience with a slightly heavier feel (MX Silent Red) or a more unique and engaging typing sensation with a lighter actuation force (TTC Venus).
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