KTT Purple Click vs. Gazzew U4Tx RGB
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Click and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When navigating the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your overall typing experience. Two popular options to consider are the KTT Purple Click and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB. The Purple Click switch, often referred to as Purple Sauce, is celebrated for its refreshing, high-pitched click that delivers an invigorating auditory feedback along with light keystrokes and a pronounced yet balanced tactile sensation. This switch is ideal for those who enjoy a lively and engaging typing environment. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB offers a more subdued experience with its deep, bassy "thock" sound upon bottoming out, paired with a crisp tactile bump that provides a luxurious typing feel while maintaining a quieter profile. This makes it a fantastic choice for users seeking a more refined, stealthy experience without sacrificing feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Housing materials
The comparison of the housing materials used in the KTT Purple Click and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB reveals distinct differences that ultimately influence the auditory experience of each switch. The Purple Click features a polycarbonate top housing known for its rigidity and clarity. This material provides a sharper, high-pitched sound profile, allowing the switch to resonate more clearly, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB utilizes a proprietary blend of plastics known as "boba plastic," which offers a softer and richer sound profile. This difference in material results in a more subdued acoustics experience for the U4Tx, emphasizing depth and warmth over the crispness typical of polycarbonate.
Looking at the bottom housings of these switches, both the Purple Click and the U4Tx RGB employ nylon and a Gazzew proprietary blend, respectively; both are characterized by their softness. The nylon bottom housing of the Purple Click contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound waves to create a rounder auditory experience. Meanwhile, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB’s "boba plastic" bottom housing enhances the same rich sound profile, prioritizing fullness and warmth. Despite using different materials, both housing options contribute to producing a comparable deep sound, creating a tactile experience that users can appreciate.
When pressing down on either switch, the interaction with the bottom housing is crucial. The Purple Click’s nylon base and the U4Tx RGB's boba blend both evoke different sensory feedback and sounds upon bottoming out, though both aim for a deep, resonant experience. The top housings, while contrasting in essence, serve to shape the release sound; the harsher resonance of the polycarbonate in the Purple Click will produce a clear sound upon releasing the key, whereas the softer "boba plastic" of the U4Tx will result in a more muted, smoother sound during the release phase. Ultimately, these variations spell different preferences for users, whether they value a bright clarity or a rich, immersive depth in their typing experience.
Weight
The KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB tactile switch present differing actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to varying preferences among users. The Purple Click switch features a medium-light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it more suitable for those who appreciate a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the U4Tx RGB switch has an unspecified actuation force, indicating that this detail is unknown, but it boasts a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This characteristic suggests that users who favor a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience may gravitate toward the U4Tx RGB switch. Overall, while the Purple Click is the lighter option, the bottom out forces reinforce a contrast where the U4Tx RGB switch demands a heavier touch, catering to different user preferences in typing feel and fatigue levels during prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Purple Click clicky switch and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB tactile switch, the KTT Purple Click stands out with a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gazzew U4Tx RGB features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the KTT Purple Click the option for those who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience, ideal for users who appreciate the hearty depth of a longer travel distance. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB, with its reduced 3.6 mm distance, caters to gamers and users seeking quicker response times, allowing for faster key presses without the sensation feeling too abrupt. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will hinge on whether you value a deeper keystroke or a more responsive feel; thus, if you're looking for faster actuation, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB would be the better pick, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press should consider the KTT Purple Click.
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 Gazzew U4Tx RGB comes in at $6.50 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 Purple Click switch offers a distinctively resonant auditory experience characterized by a high-pitched, satisfying click that is both clean and sharp. This makes the typing experience feel more immersive, as each keystroke is pronounced and easily noticeable. Conversely, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switch presents a more muted sound profile, merging a deep "thock" upon bottoming out with a quiet topping out action, providing a luxurious yet quieter typing environment. This softer sound might appeal to users who prefer a less distracting typing noise, although it lacks the sharpness of the Purple Click’s resonance.
In terms of feel, the Purple Click showcases an invigorating tactile experience that combines pronounced feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force. The snappy and reactive nature of this switch creates a dynamic typing sensation, enhanced by a stepped feel which allows for a tactile distinction at different stages of the keystroke. On the other hand, the U4Tx RGB does not offer specific descriptors, but its tactile bump is noted to be sharp, suggesting a responsive feel that may not be as rich in feedback as the invigorating qualities of the Purple Click. While both switches offer tactile sensations, the Purple Click may deliver a more explicit feedback experience due to its stepped nature.
In conclusion, while the KTT Purple Click and Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches differ significantly in terms of sound and possibly feel, they can cater to distinct preferences among users. The Purple Click provides a more resonant and stimulating typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy an energetic sound and feel, whereas the U4Tx RGB offers a refined and slightly muted sound with a sharp tactile bump that might appeal to users looking for a quieter yet still satisfying experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on the desired auditory and tactile qualities you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Purple Click and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches largely depends on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you favor a lighter keystroke with a pronounced tactile feel and a satisfying high-pitched click, the Purple Click is an excellent option. It's ideal for types of users who enjoy an invigorating typing sensation and a resonant auditory feedback without feeling overwhelmed. This makes it well-suited for casual typing, light gaming, or simply enjoying the clicky sound for a more engaging experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more robust typing experience with a heavier actuation force and a refined sound profile, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB may be the better choice. Its medium-heavy feel and deep "thock" sound provide a luxurious typing experience that many find satisfying for long typing sessions. The muted yet bassy sound can enhance your workstation environment, making it suitable for office settings or shared spaces where noise needs to be minimized without sacrificing tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches have their own distinct advantages, so consider your typing habits, sound preferences, and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard when making your decision.