Outemu Spring Breeze vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch are two popular options to compare and contrast. The Spring Breeze is best known for its clicky feedback, providing a tactile and audible typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing. While the Spring Breeze offers a satisfying click with each keystroke, the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a quieter and smoother typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference and typing style, but diving deeper into their unique characteristics will help you make the best choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Spring Breeze and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, it is evident that both switches utilize unique materials to achieve different sound profiles. The Spring Breeze's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials aim to enhance the acoustics of the switch, they offer distinct auditory experiences to the user.
When examining the bottom housings of the two switches, the differences between the Outemu Spring Breeze and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream become more pronounced. The Spring Breeze's nylon bottom housing mirrors the qualities of its top housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its soft plastic composition. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing stands out for its exceptional strength, wear resistance, and shock resistance. This POK material contributes to smooth, clacky, and durable switches, offering a stark contrast to the nylon bottom housing of the Spring Breeze.
Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Spring Breeze and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream will depend on the user's preference for sound profile and switch feel. While both switches utilize top-quality housing materials to enhance the typing experience, the Spring Breeze's nylon housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK housing excels in durability and smoothness. Regardless of the choice, users can expect a premium typing experience with either switch, each offering a unique blend of sound characteristics and durability.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is lighter in both aspects. The Outemu Spring Breeze has a slightly lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the 43 grams of the Vanilla Ice Cream. However, the bottom out force of the Spring Breeze is heavier at 55 grams compared to the 48 grams of the Vanilla Ice Cream. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying weights. Some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Vanilla Ice Cream for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the heavier bottom out force of the Spring Breeze for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for individual users.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Spring Breeze has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream. The difference may not be significant, but for those who prefer a bit more depth when pressing down on a key, the Spring Breeze might be the better option. On the other hand, if you value a shorter travel distance for quicker response times, the Vanilla Ice Cream could be the preferred choice. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively similar experience, with just a slight variation in travel 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 Spring Breeze 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 Spring Breeze clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct auditory experiences. The Spring Breeze switch is known for a sharp and crisp sound signature, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound that sets it apart from other switches. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Spring Breeze providing a more traditional clicky sound and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a unique and vibrant sound profile.
When it comes to feel, the Spring Breeze switch's tactile qualities are not specified, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as offering a remarkably smooth and creamy typing experience. The use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch contributes to its buttery and creamy feel, giving typists a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. This contrasts with the Spring Breeze switch, where the tactile feedback may vary depending on personal preference.
In conclusion, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provide users with distinct sound and feel experiences. The Spring Breeze switch caters to those who prefer a sharp and crisp clicky sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch appeals to typists seeking a smooth and buttery typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback, with both offering unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when selecting between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a medium-light touch, the Spring Breeze with 55 grams may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch, the Vanilla Ice Cream with 48 grams may be the better choice. Additionally, if you enjoy a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be a great option. However, if you prefer a creamy and smooth typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out with its buttery and creamy feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force.
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