KTT Pine vs. HMX Poro
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the HMX Poro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the KTT Pine and the HMX Poro stand out as two compelling options, each with unique characteristics catering to different preferences. The KTT Pine Switch is renowned for its medium-heavy actuation force, providing a buttery smooth feel that enhances typing comfort and minimizes friction due to its polished, factory-lubed design. This switch is often described as 'bassy' and 'creamy,' offering a low-pitched sound profile that can appeal to those who appreciate a more subdued acoustic experience. On the other hand, the HMX Poro Switch caters to users who favor a lightweight touch with a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile, also featuring meticulous lubrication that ensures a smooth keystroke glide. While the Pine switch may be ideal for those seeking a deeper tactile feedback, the Poro switch excels for users who enjoy a lighter touch and a more pronounced auditory response during typing sessions. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the KTT Pine and the HMX Poro switches, the most significant distinction lies in their housing materials—polycarbonate for the Pine and nylon for the Poro. Polycarbonate, utilized in the Pine's top housing, is known for its stiffness, which contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile. This stiffness helps produce a more resonant sound, particularly beneficial for users who favor a high-pitched auditory feedback during typing. Additionally, the clear nature of polycarbonate enhances RGB lighting effects, creating a visually appealing setup for those looking to customize their keyboards. In contrast, the HMX Poro's nylon top housing, with its softer characteristics, generates a deeper and fuller sound. The material's ability to absorb sound creates a duller and rounder profile, making it more appealing to users who prioritize a muted auditory experience.
In examining the bottom housings, the KTT Pine continues its use of polycarbonate, which reinforces the sharper sound experience that originates from the top housing. The bottom housing influences the overall typing feel and the bottom-out sound when pressed down. The rigidity of polycarbonate ensures consistency in resonance, maintaining the high-pitched character throughout the typing experience. Conversely, the Poro's nylon bottom housing softens this sound profile, creating a more rounded and less pronounced bottom-out feedback. This combination of nylon’s softer qualities with its sound-absorbing abilities contributes to a typing experience that some users may find preferable for long sessions or for those who prefer a muted key press feel.
Ultimately, the differences in material between the two switches will yield distinct auditory experiences. Users seeking a bright, resonant sound with visual appeal may gravitate toward the KTT Pine and its polycarbonate housings. Meanwhile, those desiring a more subdued and fuller sound may favor the HMX Poro, with its nylon materials. However, if the materials were to be identical in both housing types, the sound profile would align, resulting in a uniform auditory feedback experience across both switches. This illustrates how crucial the housing material's properties are in defining the character of the switch, whether they are complementary or contrasting.
Weight
The KTT Pine linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch have noteworthy similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initiating inputs. However, their bottom out forces differ; the Pine has a bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Poro's is lighter at 50 grams. This indicates that while both switches feel similar when beginning a key press, the Poro switch offers a lighter push sensation when fully depressed, making it potentially more comfortable for extended use, such as during long typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Pine’s heavier bottom out force provides a more substantial tactile feedback for users who prefer a firmer typing experience. Thus, the KTT Pine is the heavier switch overall, while the HMX Poro is the lighter option, appealing to different user preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Pine linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, the KTT Pine features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Poro has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference indicates that the Pine provides a more traditional and deeper feel, which some users may prefer for a more robust typing experience. On the other hand, the Poro's 3.7 mm travel distance offers a slightly shallower experience, catering to those who might seek quicker response times, such as gamers. In this case, the Pine is the longer switch, while the Poro is the shorter one. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you favor the responsive nature of the shorter distance or the deeper, more substantial feel of the longer switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
The HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
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 Pine linear switch delivers a notably deeper and richer audio profile characterized by its bassy and low-pitched tones. This trait means that each keystroke produces a satisfying, mellow sound that enhances the overall typing experience. The deeper frequency range provides a sense of weight and presence that can be quite appealing to those who appreciate a more robust auditory feedback. In contrast, while the HMX Poro linear switch is known for its silky smooth keystrokes, its specific sound profile remains less defined. Given this, the Poro may yield a different auditory experience, possibly leaning towards a lighter or airier tone, but this can also be influenced by the choice of board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the KTT Pine switch is celebrated for its buttery and creamy qualities that offer an incredibly smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This design ensures minimal friction due to its polished, factory-lubed finish, allowing for a seamless transition through each key press. The typing sensation is akin to gliding across the keys, providing a uniformly pleasurable experience that excels in extended typing sessions. Conversely, the HMX Poro, while also emphasizing smoothness, does not have specific descriptors attached to its feel, leaving its unique tactile characteristics somewhat ambiguous. Therefore, it may or may not replicate the same level of fluidity and ease as the Pine.
In conclusion, while the KTT Pine linear switch offers a definitive sound and feel with its rich, bassy audio and buttery smooth typing experience, the HMX Poro linear switch's qualities remain partially undefined, particularly regarding its sound and feel. Those seeking a typing experience marked by weighty sounds and smooth key presses may lean towards the Pine, while it is unclear how the Poro compares in this respect. Ultimately, if you favor a nuanced auditory experience with a creamy tactile sensation, the KTT Pine offers clear advantages, whereas the Poro could be a wildcard worth exploring, especially for those who prioritize smooth keystrokes.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the KTT Pine linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy feel that provides a bit more resistance, the Pine is the way to go. Its buttery smooth, creamy texture is perfect for those who want a satisfying and tactile experience, especially if you appreciate a richer, bassy sound during your typing sessions. This switch is well-suited for gaming and typing alike, offering a balance that many users find enjoyable. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch that allows for quick and effortless keystrokes, the HMX Poro is an excellent option. With its silky smooth glide and a more poppy, clacky sound profile, the Poro switch caters to those who favor speed and responsiveness in their typing. In summary, select the KTT Pine switch for a more substantial typing experience with rich audio feedback, and opt for the HMX Poro if you desire a quick, ultra-light linear switch that focuses on ease and speed.
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