Outemu Maple Leaf vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Maple Leaf and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Maple Leaf and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer unique experiences for typists. The Maple Leaf is a tactile switch, providing a satisfying bump and feedback with each key press. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream is a linear switch, offering a smooth and creamy typing experience thanks to the POK material used in its stem and bottom housing. While the Maple Leaf is known for its tactile feedback, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its smoothness and high-pitched clacky sound. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences. 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
55g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.30 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
pom
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
The Outemu Maple Leaf's housing materials consist of a nylon top and bottom housing, which are known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the plastic absorbing more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound overall. In comparison, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary blend for its top housing, resulting in a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. The POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is highly durable and smooth, offering wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM and shock resistance surpassing Nylon by 2.3 times and POM by 1.4 times. This contributes to the smooth, clacky, and sturdy feel of the switch.
While the Maple Leaf's nylon top and bottom housing work together to create a deeper sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch separates its housing materials with a proprietary blend for the top and POK material for the bottom. This causes the qualities of each material to be split between the bottom and top of the switch, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel as well as the sound when a key is released. The Nylon top housing of the Maple Leaf switch absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound, while the KTT blend top housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream produces a high-pitched and clacky sound when typing.
In terms of sound characteristics, the housing materials of the Outemu Maple Leaf and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer distinct differences. The Maple Leaf's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. The POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch contributes to its durability, smoothness, and clackiness, making it a top choice for those seeking a sturdy and efficient typing experience. Overall, while both switches utilize different housing materials, they each provide unique sound profiles and typing experiences for users to enjoy.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that there are significant differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Maple Leaf has a higher actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, categorizing it as a light switch. This indicates that the Maple Leaf provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter touch, ideal for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences, with some favoring the heavier actuation force of the Maple Leaf for a more tactile typing experience and others opting for the lighter touch of the Vanilla Ice Cream for prolonged typing comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see that the Maple Leaf has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Maple Leaf. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances preferred by many gamers for faster response times, the slight difference may be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may lean towards the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, while those who are looking for a slightly quicker response may opt for the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, providing a similar responsive feel despite the slight variation in distance.
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 Maple Leaf 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
When comparing the subjective qualities of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch in terms of sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is known for its high-pitched and clacky sound signature, providing typists with a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Maple Leaf switch is unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that feels seamless and effortless. In contrast, the tactile feel of the Maple Leaf switch is not specified. Typists looking for a typing sensation akin to gliding their fingers across the keys with ease may find the creamy feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch appealing.
In conclusion, while the subjective qualities of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel, both switches offer a unique typing experience. Typists seeking a high-pitched sound and a creamy, buttery feel may prefer the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, while those interested in a tactile switch with a different sound and feel profile may find the Maple Leaf switch intriguing. Ultimately, the best switch for an individual will depend on their personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the force required to press each switch. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Maple Leaf may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be more suitable. Additionally, if you enjoy a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch excels in this area. On the other hand, if you appreciate a smooth and creamy typing experience, the Maple Leaf switch may be the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for force, sound, and feel when typing.
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