Outemu Cold Plum vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cold Plum and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cold Plum is praised for its thocky sound profile and smooth keystroke, making it a favorite among enthusiasts looking for a distinct and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, providing typists with a smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its namesake dessert. While the Cold Plum offers a satisfying sound and nylon construction, the Vanilla Ice Cream boasts a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. 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
60g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cold Plum and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, it is evident that both switches prioritize sound quality in their design. The nylon top housing of the Cold Plum creates a deep and fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials aim to enhance sound, they do so in different ways, catering to varying preferences in sound profiles.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Cold Plum utilizes nylon for its housing, which contributes to a deeper and rounder sound profile. This softer plastic material absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a duller sound when bottoming out keys. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a POK bottom housing known for its smoothness and durability. The POK material offers smooth and clacky switches, with exceptional wear resistance and shock resistance properties. These differing bottom housing materials add unique characteristics to the switches, impacting the overall typing experience in distinctive ways.
While the housing materials of the Outemu Cold Plum and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches vary in composition and sound profiles, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience. The qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switches, influencing the sound when typing and releasing keys. Whether it's the deep and fuller sound of the Cold Plum's nylon housing or the smooth and clacky feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK housing, users can expect a premium typing experience from both switches with distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that they differ in actuation and bottom out forces. The Cold Plum switch has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter choice. The Cold Plum switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, ideal for those who prefer heavier forces. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Cold Plum switch. A 0.2 mm difference might not seem significant, but it can impact the overall typing or gaming experience. If you prefer a quicker response time, the Cold Plum switch with the shorter travel distance might be the better option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper key press feeling, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch with a longer travel distance could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
The Outemu Cold Plum 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Cold Plum switch is best known for its thocky sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying sound when typing. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, giving typists a distinct auditory experience. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Cold Plum focusing on a deep and resonant sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a sharper and cleaner sound profile. Ultimately, the sound preference between the two switches would depend on personal taste and the overall setup of the keyboard.
Moving on to the typing feel, the Outemu Cold Plum switch showcases a smooth keystroke that is both satisfying and enjoyable for typists seeking a distinct typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a remarkably smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and housing. The buttery and creamy sensation of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides typists with a seamless and effortless typing experience, akin to gliding fingers across the keys with ease. While the Cold Plum and Vanilla Ice Cream switches both offer smooth keystrokes, the unique material composition of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch sets it apart in terms of feel.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cold Plum and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches both bring unique qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Cold Plum switch delivers a thocky sound profile and smooth typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and buttery feel that appeals to typists looking for a creamy typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience, as they both provide distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing force and sound profile. If you prefer a medium-heavy typing force and a thocky sound profile with a smooth keystroke, the Cold Plum may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing force and a creamy, high-pitched sound profile with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the ideal fit for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what features are most important to you when making your decision.
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