KTT Orange vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the KTT Orange and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura. The KTT Orange switch is praised for its bouncy feel, frictionless typing experience, and low-pitched sound profile. With a unique design featuring a polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and a vivid orange nylon bottom housing, this switch offers a refined and smooth key travel experience. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switch stands out for its tactile feedback and buttery downstroke. With a snappy response and a delicate balance of tactility, typing on these switches produces a mild and neutral sound signature. While the Orange switch focuses on a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, the Purple Sakura switch offers a tactile and buttery feel. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Orange utilizes polycarbonate, while the Purple Sakura opts for nylon. The Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, while the Sakura's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound.
The difference in bottom housing material between the KTT Orange and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura results in distinct tactile and auditory experiences for users of these switches. While the Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a clear and resonant sound profile, the Purple Sakura's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Typing on the switches will elicit varying levels of impact and sound feedback based on the material of the bottom housing. However, both switches share the crisp and sharp sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing, enhancing the overall typing experience for users who prefer a more defined sound profile.
Overall, the choice of housing materials between the KTT Orange and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura plays a significant role in shaping the sound and tactile feedback of these switches. While both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing for a sharp and crisp sound profile, the difference in bottom housing material results in distinct typing experiences. The Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing provides clear and resonant sound, while the Sakura's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, users looking for a specific sound profile or typing experience can choose between these switches based on their preference for housing materials.
Weight
The KTT Orange linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams compared to the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, with the Orange being slightly lighter overall. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Orange switch may be the preferred choice. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Purple Sakura switch provides a slightly heavier option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. In this case, the Orange switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Purple Sakura switch. The difference of only 0.3 mm may not be significant to some users, but it could impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers who prefer faster response times may lean towards the Orange switch, while those who enjoy a more pronounced feel when pressing down on a key may prefer the Purple Sakura switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and how they want their typing or gaming experience to feel.
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 Sarokeys Purple Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Sakura for $3.15.
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 KTT Orange linear switch offers a low-pitched profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing sessions. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch produces a neutral sound, which is moderate and suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Both switches offer a pleasant auditory experience, with the Orange leaning towards a deeper sound and the Purple Sakura remaining neutral and versatile depending on your preferences and setup.
In terms of feel, the KTT Orange linear switch is known for its bouncy and frictionless characteristics, providing a spring-like sensation and smooth, effortless keystrokes. In contrast, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch offers a buttery and mild typing experience, with a snappy response that adds a lively touch to your keystrokes. The Purple Sakura's balance of smoothness and responsiveness makes it a popular choice for those seeking a comfortable and engaging typing feel. Overall, both switches offer unique tactile experiences, with the Orange focusing on bounce and smoothness while the Purple Sakura emphasizes smoothness and responsiveness.
In conclusion, the KTT Orange linear switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch each bring their own distinctive qualities to the table. The Orange excels in providing a low-pitched sound profile and a bouncy, frictionless typing feel, ideal for those looking for a smooth and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura stands out with its neutral sound and buttery, mild feel, offering a versatile and comfortable typing sensation. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch, knowing that both options provide quality performance in their respective areas.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Orange linear switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a keyboard switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a bouncy, frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange switch would be your best choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly higher bottom out force, a buttery downstroke, and a balanced tactility that is neither too strong nor too weak, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound profile.
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