KTT Peach vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the KTT Peach and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up are the KTT Peach and the TKC Tangerine. The Peach is best known for its syrupy smooth typing experience and deep, thocky sound profile. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, the Peach offers a satisfyingly smooth and mellow typing experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch is all about taking your typing experience to the next level. With an incredibly smooth feel, each keystroke is a pleasure to type. What sets the Tangerine apart is its use of UHWMPE housing, a rarity in the world of bespoke mechanical switches, resulting in a frictionless and buttery typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you the most.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The KTT Peach and the TKC Tangerine both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Peach's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing produces a very bright sound signature. Although they differ in material, both top housings enhance sound quality, making them suitable for users who prioritize a clear and resonant typing experience.
In terms of bottom housings, the Peach utilizes nylon, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone. In contrast, the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing offers a bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing. Despite their differences, both bottom housings play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch, contributing to a satisfying typing experience.
When comparing the top and bottom housings, it becomes evident that the qualities each material brings to the switch are divided between the two. The top housing has a more prominent influence on the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel upon pressing down. Both switches prioritize the auditory experience, providing users with options to optimize their desired sound profile.
In summary, the KTT Peach and the TKC Tangerine offer contrasting housing materials that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Peach's polycarbonate top housing emphasizes sharper and crisper sounds, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing delivers a bright sound signature. Similarly, the Peach's nylon bottom housing yields deeper and fuller tones, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing produces resonant clacks. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and offer unique options for users to achieve their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Peach linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. The Peach has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch, while the Tangerine's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare to the Peach. However, the Tangerine does have a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium.
In terms of weight, the Peach is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the Tangerine, which could be beneficial for individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or long gaming periods. This lighter actuation force allows for a more effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine offers a heavier bottom out force, which provides a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push sensation.
While the exact actuation force of the Tangerine switch is unknown, it is clear that the Peach offers a lower actuation force. However, both switches fall within the medium category when it comes to bottom out force. Therefore, if the aim is to achieve a similar typing experience in terms of bottoming out, using either switch could yield comparable results.
In conclusion, the KTT Peach linear switch offers a lighter actuation force but a similar bottom out force compared to the TKC Tangerine linear switch. The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preferences for either a lighter or heavier touch during typing or gaming activities.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Peach linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch have the same travel distance, measuring at 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent and familiar 4 mm of travel. In terms of travel distance, there is no distinguishing factor between the two switches, and users can expect similar results from both.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Peach comes in at $2.91, whereas the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30.
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 KTT Peach linear switch is best known for its syrupy smooth typing experience and deep, thocky sound profile. This switch provides a low-pitched sound, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Peach switch also offers a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. However, the specific feel descriptors for the Peach switch are unknown.
On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is renowned for taking typing to the next level with its incredibly smooth feel. The Tangerine switch features UHWMPE housings, which are a rarity in the world of custom switches and contribute to the smoothness of each keystroke. However, the sound profile for the Tangerine switch is described as high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This may not appeal to those who prefer a more rich and bassy sound profile.
In conclusion, both the KTT Peach and TKC Tangerine linear switches offer smooth typing experiences, but they differ in sound profiles. The Peach switch provides a low-pitched sound, while the Tangerine switch offers a high-pitched sound. The Peach switch offers a mild feel, while the Tangerine switch is characterized as frictionless, buttery, and polished, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a syrupy smooth typing experience, the KTT Peach switch is the way to go. These switches offer a deep, thocky sound profile and a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most purposes. They provide a mild and approachable typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and an incredibly smooth feel, the TKC Tangerine switch is the perfect choice. These switches feature UHWMPE housings, which contribute to their frictionless and buttery typing experience. You can expect a high-pitched clack when typing on them, which produces a sharp and crisp sound. Ultimately, whether you prioritize smoothness or sound profile, both the KTT Peach and TKC Tangerine switches have distinctive qualities that can elevate your typing experience.