KTT Phalaenopsis vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the KTT Phalaenopsis and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up are the KTT Phalaenopsis and the Outemu Red Panda, both of which are tactile switches. The Phalaenopsis is best known for its beautiful translucent design and light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and minimizing finger fatigue. With a satisfying tactile bump of 50g, each keystroke on the Phalaenopsis provides a delightful experience. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a light-medium level of tactility and a unique combination of a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. Classified as bassy, stepped, and thocky, the Phalaenopsis provides a distinct typing experience. The Red Panda, categorized as thocky and mild, offers a different tactile feel and sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Phalaenopsis and the Outemu Red Panda both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. Polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its clarity and resonance, making it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. Both switches are likely to exhibit similar sound qualities and aesthetics due to the translucent nature of polycarbonate. However, it is worth noting that the Phalaenopsis specifically highlights its use of polycarbonate in the top housing, suggesting a greater emphasis on sound and visual appeal.
While the top housings are the same, the bottom housings differ between the two switches. The Phalaenopsis features a polycarbonate bottom housing, contributing to the overall sound profile of the switch. Conversely, the Red Panda utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. Consequently, the Red Panda switch may provide a more robust and immersive typing experience due to the sound qualities associated with the nylon material.
It is worth considering that the qualities brought by the respective housing materials of the Phalaenopsis and the Red Panda will affect different aspects of the switch's performance. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect a combination of the sound qualities from the top and bottom housings, allowing for a dynamic typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is clear that there are some notable differences. The Phalaenopsis has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, whereas the Red Panda requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. For those who prefer a lighter touch when typing, the Phalaenopsis would be a suitable choice as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier actuation force.
In terms of bottom out force, the Phalaenopsis requires 50 grams of force to fully press the key down, providing a consistent and light feel throughout the keystroke. Meanwhile, the Red Panda has a slightly higher bottom out force of 60 grams, adding a bit more resistance and giving the keystrokes a medium-level feel. For those who prefer a more tactile and satisfying typing experience, the Red Panda may be the preferred option.
In summary, the KTT Phalaenopsis offers a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a comfortable and consistent typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, offering a medium-level typing experience with added resistance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel while typing.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is 4.0mm, while the travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is 3.3mm. In terms of travel distance, the Phalaenopsis has a longer distance compared to the Red Panda. The Phalaenopsis's 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional, while the Red Panda's 3.3mm distance is on the shallower side. This means that if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Phalaenopsis would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize faster response times and a more responsive experience, the Red Panda's shorter travel distance would be preferred. It's important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, while others may appreciate the quick and precise feedback it provides. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Phalaenopsis has an MSRP of $4.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Phalaenopsis for $4.15.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 it comes to sound, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch offers a bassier and thocky sound profile. These switches produce a deep and rich sound when pressed, resembling a soft "knock" or a deep "thud" effect. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch also exhibits a thocky sound, which is deep, rich, and satisfying. While both switches share the thocky characteristic, the Phalaenopsis is likely to provide a slightly bassier sound profile, while the Red Panda may have a higher-pitched top-out sound. It is important to note that the actual sound of a switch can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. However, based on the available information, both switches offer enjoyable sound profiles, with the Phalaenopsis emphasizing a bassier tone.
As for the feel of the switches, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is described as a stepped switch. Stepped switches provide a more mild tactile experience compared to hypertactile switches, where the entire keystroke is characterized by a larger bump. With the Phalaenopsis, users can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, indicating a two-stage feel during typing. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is regarded as a mild switch, offering a more gentle typing experience. These switches strike a middle-ground in terms of tactile feedback and are likely to be approachable to most users. It is worth mentioning that the specific feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as spring weight and stem design, which are not explicitly provided in the information. Nevertheless, based on the given descriptions, the Phalaenopsis provides a stepped feel, while the Red Panda offers a mild experience.
Overall, the KTT Phalaenopsis and Outemu Red Panda tactile switches provide distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Phalaenopsis emphasizes a bassier, thocky sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Its stepped feel adds some pre-travel and/or post-travel to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Red Panda also has a thocky sound, but its specific sound characteristics are not fully described in the information. It is likely to have some bassiness and higher-pitched top-out sound. The Red Panda offers a mild tactile feedback, providing a gentle typing experience within a safe middle-ground zone. While the information provided allows for a comparison between these two switches, it is also important to consider individual preferences and other factors such as personal typing style and the choice of keyboard board and keycaps, as they can significantly influence the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a light actuation force and effortless typing, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch would be your ideal choice. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches provide a satisfying tactile bump, minimizing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. Additionally, the Phalaenopsis switches offer a deep and rich sound profile, characterized by a bassy and thocky sound. They also have a stepped feel, which means you can feel some pre-travel and post-travel, adding to the typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and a clackier top-out sound, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch would be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches offer a light-medium amount of tactility, ensuring a delightful keystroke experience. The Red Panda switches also have a thocky sound when pressed, similar to the Phalaenopsis switches. In terms of feel, they provide a mild typing experience, which is approachable to most users.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Phalaenopsis and Outemu Red Panda tactile switches depends on your personal preferences. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of actuation force, sound, and feel. Consider factors such as typing comfort, sound preference, and desired tactile feedback to make an informed decision.
Mentioned in this article
