Haimu Neo White vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Neo White and the TTC Silent Red both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Neo White stands out with its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel with a smooth actuation thanks to the Ly stem. On the other hand, the Silent Red is known for its smooth and seamless typing experience with a muted sound profile, making it ideal for quieter environments. While the Neo White is categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral', the Silent Red is classified as 'Buttery, 'Mild', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. Both switches have their own strengths, but which one is the right choice for you depends on your specific typing 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Haimu Neo White and TTC Silent Red both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it an ideal choice for those looking to add visual flair to their keyboard. However, the difference lies in the bottom housing material, with the Neo White featuring a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent Red also uses nylon for its bottom housing for a similar effect.
Although the top housing material of both the Haimu Neo White and TTC Silent Red is polycarbonate, the differences arise when it comes to the bottom housing material. The nylon bottom housing of the Neo White provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Silent Red also utilizes a nylon bottom housing for a similar effect, emphasizing the importance of the bottom housing in determining the overall sound and feel of a switch. This shows that even with similarities in one aspect of housing material, the differences in the bottom housing can significantly impact the typing experience.
In summary, while both the Haimu Neo White and TTC Silent Red share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing sets them apart in terms of sound profile. The Neo White's nylon bottom housing delivers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing offers a similar effect. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound and feel of a switch, showcasing the importance of considering both aspects when choosing a keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the Neo White requires None grams of actuation force, while the Silent Red requires 45 grams, making the Silent Red the lighter option in terms of actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Neo White requires 58 grams, slightly lighter than the 63.5 grams needed for the Silent Red. Both switches fall within the medium range of bottom out forces, with the Silent Red leaning towards the medium-heavy side. In terms of weight, the Neo White provides a lighter typing experience, which is suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while the Silent Red offers a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both of these switches fall on the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distances, making them ideal choices for those seeking faster response times, especially gamers. The Neo White's 3.6 mm travel distance may provide slightly quicker feedback compared to the Silent Red's 3.7 mm distance, but the difference is minimal. Ultimately, whether you go with the Neo White or the Silent Red, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance and overall feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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, making it suitable for various environments and users, whether beginners or advanced, at home or in a workplace setting. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch provides a muted sound, perfect for those looking for a quiet typing experience, especially in shared spaces where noise is a concern. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used in conjunction with them.
When it comes to feel, the Haimu Neo White linear switch offers a mild typing experience, providing a gentle feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is described as offering a buttery typing sensation, characterized by a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Silent Red switch provides a polished feel, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel for a refined typing experience.
Overall, both the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Neo White switch provides a medium weight and smooth actuation for a satisfying typing experience, the Silent Red switch stands out for its quiet operation and padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you're looking for a medium-weight switch with a smooth actuation and satisfying typing experience, the Haimu Neo White linear switch is the way to go. Its distinctive feel and slightly reduced total travel make it a solid choice for both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience with a padded bottom-out feel, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the perfect fit. With its muted sound profile and buttery feel, these switches are ideal for office or shared living spaces where noise levels need to be minimized. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force with the Neo White or a softer, quieter typing experience with the Silent Red. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best suits your typing style and environment.
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