KTT Orange vs. Outemu Silver
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Outemu Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Orange and Outemu Silver both offer their unique features and characteristics to cater to different preferences. The KTT Orange switch stands out for its 22mm long spring, providing a bouncy typing experience that feels smooth and frictionless. With a polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and vivid orange nylon bottom housing, this switch offers a low-pitched sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver switch does not have a specific standout feature but offers a different typing feel. While the Orange switch is categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', the Silver switch does not have specific categories associated with it. When deciding between these two switches, it's important to consider your preference for a bouncy typing feel and low-pitched sound profile with the KTT Orange, or explore the unique typing experience offered by the Outemu Silver. 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
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Outemu Silver switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which provides a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to use RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the keyboard. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches ensures a consistent sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the KTT Orange features a polycarbonate material while the Outemu Silver utilizes nylon. The nylon bottom housing of the Silver switch creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material can impact the overall typing experience, with the bottom-out sound and feel influenced by the material used in the bottom housing. Typing on the Silver switch may feel softer and quieter compared to the Orange switch, which produces a crisper and more pronounced sound.
In summary, while both the KTT Orange and Outemu Silver switches share the use of polycarbonate in their top housing for a sharp and clear sound profile, they differ in the materials used for their bottom housings. The nylon bottom housing of the Silver switch creates a deeper and fuller sound compared to the stiffness of the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Orange switch. This difference in housing materials affects the overall sound and feel of typing on the switches, showcasing the importance of material choice in keyboard design.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Orange linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, the actuation force is slightly lighter in the Silver switch at 45 grams compared to the Orange switch at 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silver switch is noticeably heavier at 65 grams while the Orange switch bottoms out at 53 grams. This means that the Orange switch offers a slightly lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, the Silver switch provides a heavier push feel, which can be preferred by those looking for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Orange linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Orange has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Silver's 4 mm. The Orange's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, while the Silver's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial keypress experience. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with 4.0mm being the most common. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either a shorter, more responsive feel or a longer, more deliberate keypress.
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 Outemu Silver comes in at $3.10 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
Overall, the KTT Orange linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities. The KTT Orange switch provides a low-pitched sound profile, giving a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing. In terms of feel, the Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, with a spring-like feedback and smooth key travel. On the other hand, information about the Outemu Silver switch is not available, making it difficult to directly compare the two switches in terms of sound and feel. However, based on the qualities of the KTT Orange switch, it is likely that the Outemu Silver switch may offer similar results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Orange linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, you should consider the factors of bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and enjoy a bouncy, frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, then the KTT Orange switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force, the Outemu Silver switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what typing experience you find most comfortable and enjoyable. So, choose wisely based on your own preferences and needs.
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