KTT Purple Click vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Click and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Purple Click and the Jwick Splash Brothers offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Purple Click is renowned for its high-pitched, satisfying click, providing a light yet tactile typing experience. Its perfect equilibrium between pronounced tactility and a satisfying click makes it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a crunchy and invigorating feel while typing. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers, inspired by the dynamic duo of Steph and Klay, introduce linear "speed" switches that boast a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem. This combination results in a great typing feel and a creamy sound signature. The Splash Brothers are perfect for individuals who prefer a neutral and mild typing experience, with a subtle yet polished touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The KTT Purple Click and the Jwick Splash Brothers both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top housing. This results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for the incorporation of RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual effect. In terms of aesthetics and sound, these two switches would provide similar results due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Purple Click and the Splash Brothers differ in their choice of material. The Purple Click features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers also utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile. The use of nylon in the bottom housing for both switches ensures a consistent sound experience.
It is important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when a key is released. Therefore, despite the slight differences in their bottom housing material, both the KTT Purple Click and the Jwick Splash Brothers provide comparable typing experiences due to the similarities in their top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are notable differences. The Purple Click has an actuation force of 40 grams, providing a medium-light feel when triggering a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force for the Splash Brothers is not available, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the bottom out force of the Purple Click is 55 grams, slightly heavier than the Splash Brothers' 48 gram bottom out force, indicating a relatively lighter typing experience.
Considerations should be made according to individual preferences and use cases. Those looking for a lighter switch may prefer the Splash Brothers, as it enables longer typing sessions and is suitable for work or extended gaming. However, individuals who seek a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Purple Click, as it offers a stronger push feel.
It is also worth noting that, should the actuation forces of the two switches be similar or equal, users can expect comparable results in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between these switches boils down to personal preferences for weight and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have different travel distances. The Purple Click has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Purple Click's 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, offering a balanced feel when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers' 3.5mm travel distance is slightly shorter, making it a preferred choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and they might prefer the longer travel distance of the Purple Click for a more satisfying keypress experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth desired in typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Purple Click has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Click for $2.55.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
The Purple Click switch is best known for its satisfying and fairly high-pitched click sound. Typing on these switches offers a light keystroke with pronounced tactility, creating a perfect balance. The sound produced by the Purple Click switch can be described as crunchy, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. It also has a resonant sound profile, providing a clean and sharp auditory experience.
On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch is known for its creamy sound signature. Despite being a linear switch, it offers a great typing feel due to its shorter activation and long pole stem. The sound profile of the Splash Brothers switch is neutral, which means it has a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. Although the exact sound produced by the Splash Brothers switch is not specified, its creamy signature suggests a smooth and pleasant auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the Purple Click switch offers an invigorating typing sensation. It provides pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy, reactive feel. Additionally, the Purple Click switch can be categorized as a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages of tactility with slight pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience. It falls within a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. The Splash Brothers switch is also snappy, meaning it is super responsive, likely due to its longer or dual-staged springs. Moreover, it has a bouncy and subtle feedback sensation, offering rebound and a light resistance. These switches are also polished, resulting in a sleek and smooth typing experience.
In conclusion, the Purple Click switch and the Splash Brothers switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Purple Click switch has a high-pitched and satisfying click sound, while the Splash Brothers switch has a creamy sound signature. For feel, the Purple Click switch provides an invigorating and stepped typing sensation, while the Splash Brothers switch offers a mild, snappy, bouncy, and subtle feedback experience. With these switches, you can expect to have a range of options depending on your preferences. If you prefer a crunchy and resonant sound with a pronounced tactile feel, the Purple Click switch is a great choice. If you prefer a neutral sound with a gentle and responsive typing experience, the Splash Brothers switch will deliver similar results. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a satisfying click, the KTT Purple Click is the way to go. This switch offers a perfect equilibrium between light keystrokes and pronounced tactility. Its high-pitched click sound gives you an immersive auditory experience, especially if you enjoy the sound of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. The Purple Click also provides an invigorating typing sensation, with its moderate to firm actuation force and snappy feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a creamy sound signature, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is the one for you. Its shorter activation and long pole stem result in a great typing feel, and its neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various settings. The Splash Brothers switch offers a more approachable and mild typing experience, with its snappy and bouncy feedback. Additionally, if you value a smooth and refined typing experience, the polished finish of the Splash Brothers switch will not disappoint. Ultimately, your choice between the KTT Purple Click and the Jwick Splash Brothers depends on your preferred bottom out force, sound preference, and desired typing feel.