Outemu Red Panda vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Red Panda and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer unique experiences for typists. The Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility with a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a 'Thocky' and 'Mild' typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the clever use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing. Typists can enjoy a 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Marbly' typing sensation with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. 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
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, it is evident that they both offer unique characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profile and feel. The Red Panda's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched sound with clear resonance, thanks to its relatively stiff nature. This is in contrast to the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing, which also produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. However, while the Red Panda's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its soft and sound-absorbing nature, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing boasts exceptional durability and smoothness, making for a unique typing experience.
Despite their differences, both switches showcase the importance of top and bottom housing materials in creating a distinct typing experience. The use of polycarbonate in the Red Panda's top housing results in a sharp and crisp sound profile, ideal for those looking for a clear and resonant typing experience with RGB lighting capabilities. Similarly, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing offers unrivaled durability and smoothness, ensuring a consistent and clacky typing sensation for users. While their housing materials may vary, both switches prioritize unique qualities that enhance the overall sound and feel of typing.
Overall, the housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches play a crucial role in defining their sound profile and typing experience. The Red Panda's combination of polycarbonate and nylon offers a balance of sharpness and depth, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's blend of materials creates a clacky and durable typing experience. Whether it's the top housing impacting the sound upon key release or the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a unique and enjoyable typing experience for enthusiasts.
Weight
The Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Red Panda requires 60 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream the lighter option of the two switches. The Red Panda provides a more medium feel in terms of force, making it suitable for those who prefer a moderate typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter touch, ideal for users looking for a smoother and easier typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether a lighter or heavier force is preferred for typing or gaming activities.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see that the Red Panda has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of responsiveness, gamers may prefer the Red Panda for its shorter travel distance, allowing for faster response times. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream with its slightly longer travel distance. Both switches provide different typing experiences, with the Red Panda offering a quicker, more succinct feel, and the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a slightly more deliberate keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offers a unique typing experience with its bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound, producing a thocky sound profile that is deep and satisfying. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, with a marbly and resonant quality that sets it apart from other switches. The choice between these switches will come down to personal preference for sound, with the Red Panda offering a thocky experience and the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a marbly and resonant sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offers a light-medium amount of tactility, providing a mild typing experience that falls into a safe, middle-ground zone. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is described as buttery and creamy, offering a remarkably smooth and creamy feel that is reminiscent of the dessert it's named after. Typists can expect a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation with the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, while the Red Panda switch provides a more gentle typing experience.
Overall, both the Outemu Red Panda and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches have their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Red Panda offers a thocky sound profile and mild tactile feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature with a buttery and creamy typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience. If you enjoy a more rich and bassy sound profile, the Red Panda may be the better choice, while those who prefer a high-pitched and resonant sound may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to individual preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preferences for typing feel and sound. If you enjoy a light-medium amount of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound and clackier top-out sound, the Red Panda may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, the Vanilla Ice Cream could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you find most enjoyable and comfortable.
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