KTT Orange vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the KTT Orange and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The KTT Orange switch is known for its bouncy and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its 22mm long spring and excellent factory-lubing. With a low-pitched sound profile, this switch offers a smooth and refined key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch stands out with its captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. Its rich and bassy sound makes typing an indulgent experience. Additionally, the unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel. While both switches share characteristics such as being frictionless and providing a smooth typing experience, they differ in terms of sound profile and typing 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
43g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches differ in terms of the materials used. The Orange features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top and bottom housing. This difference in materials contributes to distinct sound profiles for each switch. The Orange's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow's POM housing produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile, offering an incredibly pleasing and unique auditory experience.
Aesthetically, the Orange's polycarbonate housing has the advantage of translucency, making it ideal for switches that use RGB lighting. The clear housing allows the lighting effects to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. Conversely, the Sunset Yellow's POM housing lacks translucency, making it better suited for those who prioritize sound quality over visual aesthetics.
When it comes to the impact on the typing experience, the housing materials play a significant role. The Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the tactile feedback, delivering a satisfying and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow's POM bottom housing leads to a more subdued bottom-out sound and feel. This creates a smoother and quieter typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a more subtle tactile feedback.
Ultimately, while there are differences in the housing materials between the KTT Orange and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, both switches offer unique advantages. The Orange's polycarbonate housing is better suited for those who prioritize a sharp, resonant sound profile and the option for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow's POM housing caters to individuals seeking a deeper and more muted sound, paired with a smoother and quieter typing experience. In both cases, the quality of the switch's sound and feel is influenced by the housing materials, providing users with distinct options to suit their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Orange linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall under the category of medium-light forces. The KTT Orange has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams. Similarly, when it comes to bottom out force, the Orange requires 53 grams of force while the Sunset Yellow requires 51 grams. While the differences in force may seem negligible, they can potentially provide a different typing experience to users. Those who prefer a lighter switch might opt for the Sunset Yellow with its slightly lower forces, allowing for longer typing periods and ideal for work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might prefer the Orange, which provides a slightly heavier push feel. Overall, both switches offer a similar medium-light force range, providing users with comparable results depending on their personal preferences.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, indicating a preference for faster response times. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for increased responsiveness. However, individuals who prefer a greater depth and a less abrupt feel may opt for the switch with the longer travel distance. Overall, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, but the KTT Orange switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the 3.2 mm of the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 KTT Orange switches have a low-pitched sound profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. They have a rich, bassy, and decadent sound that makes typing feel indulgent. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow switches are described as thocky, which means they produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Orange switches are known for their bouncy and frictionless experience. They provide a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving you a lively feel and rebound when pressed. The switch also offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. Similarly, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer a creamy and frictionless feel. Typing on these switches is described as a smooth and buttery experience, almost like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The keys effortlessly melt into each keystroke, providing a silky sensation. These switches are also polished, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the KTT Orange and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Orange switches have a low-pitched sound profile and provide a bouncy and frictionless typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches have a rich and bassy sound, with a thocky quality during key presses. They offer a creamy and frictionless feel, with a polished finish for a sleek typing experience. Based on the available information, it is clear that these switches will provide distinct typing experiences. However, if you are looking for a low-pitched sound profile with a bouncy and frictionless feel, both switches will provide similar results in those areas.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Orange and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches, consider both the sound and feel aspects to find the one that suits your preferences. The Orange switch offers a low-pitched sound profile with a slick and frictionless typing experience. With its bouncy feel and smooth key travel, it provides a spring-like feedback and effortless typing sensation. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound profile that adds a rich and indulgent element to your typing experience. Additionally, its creamy, frictionless, and polished feel allows for a silky smooth glide across the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on whether you prefer a low-pitched sound with a bouncy feel or a bassy sound with a creamy and polished feel. Consider your personal preferences in both sound and feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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