Kailh Sage vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Kailh Sage and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing style, you may come across the Kailh Sage, known for its invigorating, sharp, and crunchy clickiness. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a buttery, creamy, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant typing experience. The Sage switch provides a heavy and sharp clickiness, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch impresses with its smooth and creamy feel. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but ultimately, the choice between them comes down to personal preference. 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
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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 Kailh Sage and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, it is evident that they differ significantly in composition and characteristics. The Sage's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This contrast suggests that the Sage may have a more defined and resonant sound, whereas the Vanilla Ice Cream may lean towards a more distinctive and clicky sound. However, both switches prioritize sound quality and aesthetics, with the Sage catering to RGB lighting enthusiasts with its translucent polycarbonate top housing and the Vanilla Ice Cream boasting a unique proprietary blend for a visually appealing switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the differences between the Sage's nylon bottom housing and the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing become even more pronounced. The Sage's nylon bottom housing is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound for a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material offers a smooth, clacky, and durable experience, with exceptional strength and wear resistance that surpasses traditional nylon and POM materials. This dichotomy in bottom housing materials suggests that the Sage may prioritize a more muffled and rounded typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream focuses on smoothness, durability, and a distinct clacky sound profile.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Kailh Sage and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream may offer different sound profiles and typing experiences, they both prioritize quality, durability, and unique aesthetics. The Sage's use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a clear and resonant sound, especially with RGB lighting, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary blend top housing provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Similarly, the Sage's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing prioritizes smoothness, durability, and a clacky typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper, resonant sound or a smooth, clacky typing experience, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences to the user. The Sage has a heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream features a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams, allowing for a smoother and lighter typing feel. The actuation force of the Sage is not specified, but the Vanilla Ice Cream requires 43 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Vanilla Ice Cream would be ideal, while users looking for a more tactile and heavy typing experience may prefer the Sage. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we see that the Sage has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by many gamers for faster response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be significant in terms of feel, but some users may notice a slight distinction. Ultimately, if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be the choice for you, while if you prefer a slightly longer travel distance, the Kailh Sage switch would be the better option.
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 Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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 Kailh Sage clicky switch offers a crunchy and sharp clickiness that is reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that is clean and sharp. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch also has a marbly quality to its sound, creating a resonant and immersive auditory experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Sage providing a more traditional clicky sound and the Vanilla Ice Cream delivering a distinctive high-pitched sound.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Sage switch is described as invigorating and sharp, offering a pronounced feedback and snappy feel that creates an immersive typing sensation. Meanwhile, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provides a buttery and creamy typing experience, with a smooth and fluid keystroke that is seamless and effortless. The Creamy descriptor suggests a silky sensation when typing on the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, akin to gliding your fingers with ease across the keys. Both switches provide unique tactile experiences, with the Sage focusing on a strong and crisp tactile bump and the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizing a smooth and buttery typing sensation.
Overall, the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. The Sage provides a heavy and sharp clickiness, while the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a smooth and creamy typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a classic clicky sound with pronounced feedback or a high-pitched and buttery typing sensation, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel in mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the level of tactile feedback and sound profile you prefer. If you enjoy a heavy typing experience with a distinct clicky sound, the Kailh Sage switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing feel with a smooth and creamy sensation, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing experience and sound profile.
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