Kailh NovelKeys Cream vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Two popular linear switches to consider are the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the TTC Silent Frozen. The NovelKeys Cream switches offer a unique typing experience that is best known for its heftier feel. Typing on these switches produces a deep sound profile, giving it a textured and resonant quality that is invigorating. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switches prioritize quietness above all else. With an extremely quiet sound profile, they provide a smooth and pillowy typing experience. These switches have a thocky and creamy feel, which is both subtle and polished. 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
55g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream and TTC Silent Frozen differ in their housing materials, with the Cream utilizing POM (polyoxymethylene) and the Silent Frozen using polycarbonate. In terms of sound profile, the Cream's POM top housing creates a deeper and relatively more muted sound, while the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique and pleasing sound profiles.
Similar to the top housings, the bottom housings of the NovelKeys Cream and the TTC Silent Frozen play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Cream's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile with a more muted tone. Conversely, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing adds to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound experience. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucent quality of polycarbonate allows for an aesthetically pleasing switch design, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Both switches offer unique characteristics in their bottom housing materials.
When it comes to using these switches, the differences in housing materials will have an impact on the overall sound when pressing down and releasing a key. The properties of the bottom housing, whether it be POM or polycarbonate, will play a larger role in the sound and feel of the switch when pressed. On the other hand, the top housing material will have more influence on the sound when the key is released. The Cream's POM bottom housing will contribute to a deeper bottom-out sound, while the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing will result in a crisper and more resonant sound profile. Overall, the combination of these housing materials in each switch allows for unique tactile experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and TTC Silent Frozen linear switches, there are notable differences. The NovelKeys Cream requires a heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Frozen's lighter 39 grams. This means that the NovelKeys Cream switch will require a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out force of the NovelKeys Cream is heavier at 70 grams, while the Silent Frozen has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Frozen switch would be a suitable choice, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and bottom out. This can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Cream switch provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This may be preferred by users who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more tactile feedback while typing.
In summary, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and TTC Silent Frozen linear switches differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The NovelKeys Cream requires a heavier force for both actuation and bottoming out, while the Silent Frozen has lighter force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on an individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, it is clear that the NovelKeys Cream has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Silent Frozen's 3.5 mm. The NovelKeys Cream falls into the more traditional range of travel distances at 4.0 mm, while the Silent Frozen is slightly shallower at 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with the NovelKeys Cream, you will feel a slightly greater distance compared to the Silent Frozen.
In terms of preference, gamers tend to gravitate towards shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing or gaming experience, opting for the shorter 3.5 mm travel distance of the Silent Frozen would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing or gaming may find the 4 mm travel distance of the NovelKeys Cream to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream 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 Cream for $6.25.
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.55.
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, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches offer a low-pitched and resonant sound profile. The low-pitched nature of these switches results in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the resonant sound profile provides a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience, with a clean and sharp sound. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switches are described as thocky, low-pitched, and muted. A thocky switch produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock." The low-pitched nature of these switches also delivers a bass-heavy and mellow tone. Lastly, the muted feature minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, resulting in a softer and quieter sound. It's important to note that the actual sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the NovelKeys Cream switches are known for providing a buttery, textured, and invigorating typing sensation. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform feel. The textured feature refers to noticeable friction when pressing the switches, which may vary in preference among users with some preferring a slight texture and others preferring a smoother typing experience. Lastly, the invigorating aspect of these switches offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel, resulting in an immersive typing experience.
In contrast, the TTC Silent Frozen switches offer a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. Similar to the NovelKeys Cream switches, the creamy description highlights a smooth and buttery typing sensation, likely due to lubricant applied in the switch or specific materials used. The buttery quality also indicates a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The feathery feature makes these switches exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue and strain during extended typing sessions. The subtle aspect suggests a gentle resistance that maintains a light typing feel while also producing a sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the polished characteristic refers to a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction, smooth key travel, and an overall sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and TTC Silent Frozen switches have distinct subjective qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The NovelKeys Cream switches offer a heftier linear typing experience with a deep sound profile that is low-pitched and resonant. Their feel is described as buttery, textured, and invigorating. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switches are characterized by an extremely quiet sound profile that is thocky, low-pitched, and muted. They offer a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. While they may differ in certain aspects, both switches provide smooth and fluid keystrokes and can result in a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with a deeper sound profile, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch would be a good choice for you. These switches offer a heftier linear typing experience and emit a low-pitched or resonant sound. On the other hand, if you value an extremely quiet sound profile with a pillowy type feel, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is the way to go. These switches are known for their super smooth and quiet operation, producing a thocky or muted sound. Furthermore, if you enjoy a buttery, invigorating feel while typing, the NovelKeys Cream switch provides a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Contrastingly, the Silent Frozen switch offers a creamy, feathery, subtle, or polished feel, catering to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your priority in terms of typing force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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