Outemu Cream Blue vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Blue and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cream Blue and the KTT Wine Red are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The Cream Blue is a clicky switch that is best known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound. On the other hand, the Wine Red is a linear switch praised for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, offering a pillowy light feel and a deep, rich sound profile. While the Cream Blue is great for those who enjoy the tactile feedback and audible click of clicky switches, the Wine Red is ideal for those who prefer a smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound. 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
50g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Blue and the KTT Wine Red, we can see that the Cream Blue utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings, while the Wine Red uses polycarbonate for both. The Cream Blue's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Wine Red's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to its stiffer plastic, which results in a clearer and resonant sound profile. While both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, the Cream Blue leans towards a rounder sound, while the Wine Red has a crisper and more defined sound.
Despite the differences in sound profile, both the Cream Blue and Wine Red benefit from the qualities of their respective housing materials. The Cream Blue's nylon top and bottom housings create a consistent and cohesive sound experience, with a duller and rounder tone that is preferred by some users. On the other hand, the Wine Red's polycarbonate top and bottom housings work together to deliver a sharp and crisp sound profile that is enhanced by the stiffness of the plastic. While the materials may be different, both switches excel in providing distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
When considering the impact of top and bottom housing materials on a switch, it is important to note how each component contributes to the overall typing experience. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, influencing the tactile feedback and noise level when pressing a key. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key, shaping the overall acoustics of the switch. While the Cream Blue and Wine Red may have varying housing materials, their design highlights the importance of balancing both top and bottom housing qualities to create a well-rounded typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch has a higher actuation force and bottom out force compared to the KTT Wine Red linear switch. The Cream Blue requires 50 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 65 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Wine Red only needs 44 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Wine Red, whereas those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may prefer the Cream Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether a lighter or heavier touch is desired for typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that they offer a similar level of keypress feedback and overall typing experience in terms of travel distance. Both switches will provide a consistent typing feel due to their equal travel distance. While the Cream Blue offers a clicky feedback with its audible sound, the Wine Red provides a smoother linear feel. Despite their differences in feedback, the travel distance remains the same at 4 mm for both switches. As a result, regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a similar travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Cream Blue comes in at $3.10, whereas the KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71.
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
The Cream Blue switch is known for its clicky sound profile, providing a tactile and audible typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch offers a smooth and linear typing experience with a deep and rich sound, characterized by bassy and low-pitched tones. When typing on the Cream Blue switch, users will enjoy a crisp and satisfying click with each key press, while the Wine Red switch offers a pillowy light feel and a more muted sound. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Cream Blue providing a more tactile and noisy typing experience and the Wine Red offering a smoother and quieter option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch or the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a clicky switch with a satisfying sound profile, then the Cream Blue may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a smooth, pillowy typing experience with a deep and rich sound profile, then the Wine Red switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, try both switches if possible to see which one feels and sounds better to you.
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