Haimu Neo White vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Neo White and the KTT Orange both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Neo White is favored for its medium weight and smooth actuation provided by the rare Ly stem, delivering a satisfying typing experience with reduced total travel. On the other hand, the KTT Orange stands out with its bouncy feel from the 22mm long spring and frictionless typing experience from the polycarbonate milky top housing and POM stem. Both switches offer distinct qualities - the Neo White being more mild and neutral, while the Orange is bouncy, frictionless, and low-pitched. 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
N/A
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Haimu Neo White and KTT Orange both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material is ideal for switches with RGB lighting as its translucency allows for a visually appealing experience. However, the Neo White differs with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the KTT Orange maintains consistency with its polycarbonate bottom housing, emphasizing the clear and resonant sound profile associated with this material.
Despite the differences in their bottom housing materials, both the Neo White and Orange switches excel in providing distinct sound profiles based on the qualities of their respective housing materials. While the Neo White offers a more rounded sound due to its nylon bottom housing, the KTT Orange maintains a sharper and crisper sound profile throughout. The impact of the bottom housing is felt when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater effect on the sound when releasing a key. These differences contribute to the overall typing experience and sound feedback of each switch.
In conclusion, the Haimu Neo White and KTT Orange showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile and tactile feedback of mechanical switches. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, their distinct bottom housing materials allow for variations in sound quality and typing experience. Whether it be the deeper and fuller sound of the Neo White's nylon bottom housing or the sharper and crisper sound of the Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing, each switch offers unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in typing style. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, there are noticeable differences between the two. The Neo White has an actuation force of None grams, making it slightly lighter than the Orange which has an actuation force of 46 grams. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Neo White at 58 grams and the Orange at 53 grams. The lighter actuation force of the Neo White may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, while the heavier actuation force of the Orange provides a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Haimu Neo White linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the KTT Orange linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the realm of modern, shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the KTT Orange might be the better option due to its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more substantial key press with a bit more depth, the Haimu Neo White with its slightly longer travel distance could be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of overall travel distance, so the decision may come down to other factors such as actuation force or sound profile.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
The Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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 Haimu Neo White linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, suitable for various typing environments and skill levels. On the other hand, the KTT Orange linear switch provides a low-pitched sound, giving a more bass-heavy and mellow tone to each keystroke. The sound experience of both switches will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycap material chosen.
Moving on to feel, the Haimu Neo White switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a smoother and gentler feel compared to more pronounced switches. The use of a Ly stem in this switch contributes to a remarkably smooth actuation, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless typing sensation, providing a spring-like feedback and effortless key travel. Both switches aim to cater to different preferences when it comes to typing feel.
Considering all the available information, it's evident that the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch provide distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Neo White offers a neutral sound and mild feel, the Orange switch introduces a low-pitched sound and bouncy, frictionless typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound profile and typing sensation, users can choose between these switches to tailor their mechanical keyboard to suit their preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to a range of typing styles and preferences.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth actuation and a slightly reduced travel distance with a medium-weight feel, then the Neo White switch would be your best option. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and frictionless typing experience with a lower bottom out force, then the Orange switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preference for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it comes down to what feels most comfortable and enjoyable for you while typing.
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