KTT Pine vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the KTT Pine and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The KTT Pine is a linear switch that boasts a medium-heavy feel and a buttery smooth typing experience. With its polished, factory-lubed finish, this switch minimizes friction and ensures smooth key travel. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is also a linear switch, but has a distinct appeal with its Creamsicle-colored appearance. Known for its captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, typing becomes an indulgent experience with this switch. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow offers a medium-weight and features a unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, resulting in a distinct gliding feel. While both switches share some qualities like a bassy sound profile and creamy feel, there are nuances that set them apart. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Pine and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches differ in terms of the sound profiles they produce. The Pine's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This means that if you prefer a keyboard with a more clear and resonant sound, the Pine switch would be a better choice. Alternatively, if you prefer a keyboard with a deeper, more muted sound, the Sunset Yellow switch would be more suitable.
In terms of aesthetics, the Pine switch's polycarbonate top housing offers a transparent and translucent appearance that allows for RGB lighting effects to be more pronounced. This is especially advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting to enhance the look of your keyboard. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow switch's POM top housing does not offer the same level of transparency, which may result in less visible lighting effects. So, if you prioritize the visual aspect and want to showcase RGB lighting, the Pine switch would be a more suitable option.
The bottom housings of the Pine and Sunset Yellow switches also differ in terms of their sound profiles. The Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the Sunset Yellow's POM bottom housing produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This difference means that when you press down on the switch, the bottom housing will have more impact on the sound and feel of the key, resulting in a distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the top housing will have more influence when releasing a key, affecting the sound produced in that moment. Therefore, depending on your preferred typing experience and the sound you desire, you may prefer one switch over the other.
In summary, while both the KTT Pine and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches have their differences, they also share similarities. If you are seeking a switch with a clear and resonant sound profile, the Pine would be a suitable choice for both the top and bottom housings. Likewise, if you prefer a deeper and relatively more muted sound, the Sunset Yellow offers this quality in both of its housings. However, if you value the visual aspect and plan to use RGB lighting, the Pine switch's polycarbonate top housing would provide a better translucency for showcasing lighting effects compared to the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing. Additionally, consider how the bottom housing contributes to the typing experience and sound produced when pressing down on a key, as this can vary between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Pine requires 45 grams of force, while the Sunset Yellow requires slightly less at 43 grams. Both switches have a medium actuation force, providing a balanced feel when typing.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Pine requires 58 grams, whereas the Sunset Yellow requires 51 grams. This means that the Pine switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force compared to the Sunset Yellow. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Pine switch would be a better choice due to its higher bottom out force.
Considering the weight aspect, lighter switches like the Sunset Yellow are favored by individuals who engage in extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for less physical strain, making them ideal for those who require endurance in their keyboard usage.
In conclusion, while both switches have a medium actuation force, the Pine switch has a heavier bottom out force compared to the Sunset Yellow. Those seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Pine switch, while those looking for a lighter option that allows for longer typing sessions might opt for the Sunset Yellow. Overall, it's essential to consider individual preferences and needs when selecting a switch with the desired actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Pine has a longer travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a shorter distance of 3.2mm. The Pine's 4.0mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, while the Sunset Yellow's 3.2mm distance is on the shallow side. It is important to note that shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. For those seeking a more responsive typing experience, the shorter travel distance of the Sunset Yellow may be preferable. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press sensation may find the longer travel distance of the Pine more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 sound qualities of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, both switches offer a deep and rich sound profile characterized by a lower frequency range resembling bass tones. The Pine switch can be described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a satisfying sound similar to a soft "knock" or a deep "thud" when pressed and released. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch is also described as bassy, but it is specifically labeled as thocky, which refers to a deep, rich, and satisfying sound during key presses.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Pine and Sunset Yellow switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience. The Pine switch is described as buttery and creamy, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It allows your fingers to glide across the keys with ease, resulting in a silky sensation. Similarly, the Sunset Yellow switch is also described as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. It is also labeled as frictionless and polished, indicating an extremely smooth and refined finish that minimizes any sense of resistance or friction while pressing the keys. This results in a fluid and effortless travel when typing.
In conclusion, the KTT Pine and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches share several subjective qualities. They both offer a deep and rich sound profile with bassy undertones during key presses. Furthermore, they provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, allowing for effortless and enjoyable keystrokes. While the Pine switch emphasizes its medium-heavy weight for an effortless typing experience, the Sunset Yellow switch highlights its unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, contributing to a distinct gliding feel and highly responsive typing experience. It is important to note that the sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. However, based on the available information, it is likely that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel from both switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its factory-lubed finish and medium bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches provide effortless typing and minimize friction for smooth key travel. Additionally, the Pine offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding a deeper and richer sound to your typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch with a distinct gliding feel and a sharper typing experience, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch would be a suitable option. With a bottom out force of 51 grams, these Creamsicle-colored switches offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. The combination of a POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contributes to a unique gliding feel, while the short travel and long-pole stem ensure highly responsive typing. The Sunset Yellow switch provides a bassy and thocky sound, delivering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch depends on your preferences for switch weight, typing experience, and sound profile. Both switches offer smooth and buttery typing experiences, but the Pine leans towards a heavier weight and a smoother feel, while the Sunset Yellow provides a lighter weight and a distinct gliding feel. Consider your typing preferences and desired sound profile to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard journey.