Haimu Neo White vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Haimu Neo White and TTC Speed Silver are two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Neo White boasts a medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel with its smooth actuation thanks to the rare use of a Ly stem. On the other hand, the Speed Silver is known for its fast and precise typing experience, featuring a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile. While the Neo White is categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral', the Speed Silver falls under 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own strengths and appeals to different preferences, but to determine the best switch for you, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Both the Haimu Neo White and the TTC Speed Silver utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics and sound quality, both switches are likely to provide a similar experience due to their shared material for the top housing.
On the other hand, the Neo White's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Speed Silver's nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. When typing on switches with nylon bottom housing, the typing experience is likely to be more muted and soft, offering a different tactile feel compared to switches with polycarbonate bottom housing.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Neo White provides a unique typing experience that combines the sharp and clear sound of polycarbonate with the deep and full sound of nylon. In contrast, the Speed Silver's uniform use of polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing may result in a more consistent sound profile throughout typing. Both switches offer their own characteristics and qualities, providing users with options based on their preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, there is a notable difference in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Neo White has an actuation force of None grams, meaning it offers a light touch for triggering keystrokes, while the Speed Silver requires 45 grams of force. In terms of bottom out force, the Neo White comes in at 58 grams, providing a medium resistance, whereas the Speed Silver has a slightly lower bottom out force of 55 grams, making it feel medium-light. This variation in force requirements can impact typing feel and preference. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Speed Silver, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance might favor the Neo White for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, the Neo White has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Speed Silver has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Neo White being slightly longer than the Speed Silver. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Speed Silver, while those who prefer a more pronounced key press may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Neo White. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Haimu Neo White and the TTC Speed Silver linear switches offer a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various typing environments and preferences. The sound of a switch is also affected by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so the overall sound experience may vary. Moving on to feel, both switches are described as offering a mild typing experience, which is gentle and approachable for most users. Additionally, the Speed Silver switch is noted for its polished finish, providing a smooth and refined typing feel with reduced friction. Overall, while the Neo White switch stands out for its medium weight and smooth actuation, the Speed Silver switch is targeted towards those seeking a fast and precise typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and sound, as both switches offer similar qualities that cater to a wide range of users.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and priorities. If you value a smooth and distinctive typing feel with slightly reduced total travel, then the Neo White switch with its medium weight may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and precision in your typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile, then the Speed Silver switch might be more suited to your needs. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience, making them suitable for various intents and purposes. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in typing feel and performance.
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