KTT Purple Star vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Star and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the KTT Purple Star and the Jwick Taro mechanical keyboard switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. The Purple Star switches are known for their smooth and easy-to-press linear feel, making them a great choice for light typists who value comfort and ease of use. On the other hand, the Taro switches offer a medium level of tactility with crisp clacks, providing a more tactile typing experience for those who enjoy a bit more feedback. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, but ultimately, the decision comes down to what feels best for you. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Purple Star and Jwick Taro switches offer different sound profiles due to their unique properties. The Purple Star's POM top housing creates a deep and muted sound, while the Taro's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Taro switch allows for a more resonant sound, especially when coupled with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Purple Star's POM bottom housing results in a similarly deep sound profile to its top housing, while the Taro's nylon bottom housing creates a fuller and rounder sound due to its softer nature.
While both the Purple Star and Taro switches have distinct housing materials for their top and bottom components, the overall sound profile of each switch is a combination of these materials. The bottom housing, whether POM for the Purple Star or nylon for the Taro, plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed. On the other hand, the top housing, whether POM for the Purple Star or polycarbonate for the Taro, influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in housing materials, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience.
In conclusion, the choice between the Purple Star and Taro switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing feel. The Purple Star offers a unique deep and muted sound with its POM housing materials, while the Taro provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate and nylon components. Both switches benefit from the unique properties of their respective housing materials, resulting in distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. Whether you prefer a more muted sound like the Purple Star or a sharper sound like the Taro, both switches offer high-quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The KTT Purple Star linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Jwick Taro tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. The bottom out force of the Purple Star is also lighter at 50 grams, while the Taro has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Purple Star will provide a lighter and smoother typing experience, perfect for those who prefer less resistance. On the other hand, the Taro offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Both switches have their own advantages depending on the user's preference. If a lighter typing experience is preferred, the Purple Star would be the better choice, whereas for those who prefer a stronger push feel, the Taro would be the preferred option.
Travel distance
The KTT Purple Star linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Jwick Taro tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. For those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Purple Star may be the better choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. However, some users may find the longer travel distance of the Taro switch to provide a more satisfying depth when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
The KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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 Star linear switch is known for its low-pitched and mellow tone, offering a more bass-heavy typing sound. In contrast, the Jwick Taro tactile switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of settings and typing preferences. Depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, the sound of these switches can be further customized to suit your personal preference.
In terms of feel, the Purple Star switch provides a mild and easy-to-press typing experience, offering a gentle resistance and effortless key presses. This makes it ideal for light typists looking for a comfortable typing feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro switch is noted for its buttery and stepped tactile feel, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a mild tactility that offers a slight pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.
Overall, both the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Purple Star switch excels in providing a light and easy typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, while the Taro switch offers a cozy typing experience with a snappy tactile feel. Depending on whether you prefer a linear or tactile switch, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with either of these switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, you should consider your typing preferences. If you are a light typist looking for a smooth and easy-to-press typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Purple Star may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a cozy typing feel and a neutral sound profile, the Taro switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing style and the overall typing experience you are seeking.
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