Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the KTT Strawberry offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Blueberry switch is renowned for its sharp tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a distinct feedback. With a lower-than-average sound frequency, it produces a deep but not excessively thocky sound. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch is adored for its smooth actuation and comfortable feel, offering a frictionless typing experience. Its attractive pink and clear housing adds to its appeal. While the Blueberry switch is snappy and textured, the Strawberry switch is buttery and polished. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
3.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the KTT Strawberry differ in their housing materials, which affects the sound profile and overall feel of the keyboard switches. The Blueberry features a POM (polyoxymethylene) top housing, while the Strawberry utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. POM housings create a deeper and more muted sound profile, making typing on the Blueberry switches a quieter and more subdued experience. On the other hand, polycarbonate top housings produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, giving the Strawberry switches a more distinctive and precise audio feedback.
In terms of aesthetics, the use of different housing materials also plays a role. While both switches offer translucent options for RGB lighting, the polycarbonate top housing of the Strawberry switch enhances the visual effects of the lighting even further. The transparent nature of polycarbonate allows the RGB lighting to shine through with greater vibrancy and clarity, resulting in a visually stunning keyboard setup. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Blueberry switch may still allow some light to pass through, but it may not have the same luminosity or brilliance as the polycarbonate counterpart.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Blueberry features a POM bottom housing, while the Strawberry utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. Just like with the top housings, the POM bottom housing of the Blueberry contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile when the keys are bottomed out. This provides a quieter and more subtle typing experience. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Strawberry switch adds to a sharper and crisper sound profile when keys are pressed down firmly. This gives the Strawberry switches a more pronounced and distinctive typing sound.
In summary, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the KTT Strawberry differ in their housing materials, resulting in variations in sound profile and overall keyboard feel. The Blueberry switches, with their POM housings, offer a deeper and more muted sound, while the Strawberry switches, with their polycarbonate housings, produce a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the use of different housing materials also affects the aesthetics, with the polycarbonate housing of the Strawberry switch enhancing the visual impact of RGB lighting. However, both switches provide a pleasing and unique typing experience, with their respective housing materials contributing to the overall sound and feel while typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Blueberry switch has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams, making it more resistant to accidental keystrokes. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch requires a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, providing a smoother and more effortless typing experience. When it comes to bottoming out, the Blueberry switch exerts a significant force of 80 grams, giving a satisfying and substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Strawberry switch has a lower bottom out force of 62 grams, resulting in a slightly softer touch. Overall, the Blueberry switch is heavier in both actuation force and bottom out force, offering a more robust typing experience, while the Strawberry switch provides a lighter and smoother feel. For those who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Strawberry switch would be the preferable choice, while those seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience may opt for the Blueberry switch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. In the case of the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch, the travel distance is measured to be 4mm. Similarly, the KTT Strawberry linear switch also has a travel distance of 4mm. Therefore, both switches have the same travel distance, resulting in similar results when pressing the keys.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Blueberry for $6.25.
The KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry is known for its lower-than-average sound frequency that is a little deeper than average but not "thocky." The sound profile of these switches is described as low-pitched and resonant, resulting in a clean and sharp auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry is also described as having a low-pitched sound profile. However, since the specific sound characteristics of the Strawberry switch are unknown, we cannot make a direct comparison between the two. It is worth noting that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the NovelKeys Blueberry is known for its sharp tactile bump, providing a typing experience that is suitable for those who prefer a sharp feel. These switches are described as snappy, buttery, textured, invigorating, and stiff. They offer pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a reactive feel, creating an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry is described as providing a smooth actuation and comfortable feel. It is characterized by terms such as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, indicating an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. While both switches offer desirable qualities in terms of feel, the NovelKeys Blueberry focuses more on tactile feedback and snappiness, while the KTT Strawberry emphasizes smoothness and a comfortable typing feel.
Considering the available information, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch is best known for its sharp tactile bump, lower-than-average sound frequency, and various descriptors such as snappy, buttery, textured, invigorating, and stiff. It offers a unique typing experience for those who enjoy pronounced feedback and a responsive feel. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switch stands out for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and descriptors like frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished. While we may not have concrete information on certain qualities of the Strawberry switch, by comparing the known characteristics, we can expect it to provide a similarly smooth and effortless typing experience, although with a different emphasis on tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a sharp tactile bump or smooth actuation, as well as other factors including sound preferences, typing style, and keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy a sharp tactile bump and a slightly deeper sound frequency, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches are known for their snappy and invigorating feel, providing a responsive typing experience. With a higher bottom out force of 80 grams, they require more force to actuate and bottom out. In terms of sound, the Blueberry switches offer a low-pitched and resonant profile, resulting in a clean and sharp auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is the way to go. With a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a comfortable feel with reliable performance. The Strawberries have a frictionless and silky feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience. In terms of sound, they provide a low-pitched tone, similar to the Blueberries.
Ultimately, the decision between the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the KTT Strawberry switches comes down to personal preference in terms of the tactile bump and bottom out force. If you prioritize a sharp and invigorating feel, along with a deeper sound frequency, the Blueberry switches would be the better option. If a smooth and effortless typing experience is more important to you, the Strawberry switches are the way to go. Consider your typing preferences and choose accordingly to enhance your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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