Everglide Sakura Pink vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Sakura Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream are both exceptional options, each catering to different preferences and typing styles. The Sakura Pink switches are designed for delicate typists, featuring a feather-light 35g actuation force that ensures a smooth, effortless typing experience. With their unique popping sound reminiscent of bubble wrap, these switches offer a playful auditory experience alongside their buttery and frictionless feel. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches are notable for their innovative use of POK material, which provides a smooth and creamy texture while typing. Their high-pitched, clacky sound adds a distinctive flair, making them stand out in the realm of linear switches. Both switches promise buttery and creamy experiences, yet they diverge in terms of acoustic profile and actuation force. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sakura Pink switches utilize polycarbonate for both their top and bottom housings, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches employ different materials, opting for a proprietary KTT blend for the top and POK for the bottom. The polycarbonate used in the Sakura Pink switches contributes to a clear, resonant sound profile that is both higher-pitched and crisper, enhancing the auditory feedback users experience. This material’s strength and translucency not only support the switch's sound characteristics but also make it compatible with RGB lighting, allowing for visual effects that can enhance the overall typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream’s proprietary blend allows for a similarly high-pitched sound signature, but details about the exact composition of this blend remain ambiguous, making it less predictable compared to the defined qualities of polycarbonate.
The bottom housing materials further differentiate these switches, influencing the overall performance during use. The Sakura Pink's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the same sound profile as the top, ensuring that the clarity and sharpness that users obtain when pressing the key is consistent throughout the switch. The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing, however, introduces a different dimension with its exceptional durability and smoothness, boasting a significantly lower coefficient of friction than many common materials. This means that while the Vanilla Ice Cream switches may deliver a similarly clacky sound upon actuation, the tactile experience differs due to the smoother and more resilient characteristics of the POK material.
In summary, while users of both the Everglide Sakura Pink and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream might enjoy a high-pitched and sharp auditory experience, the way in which these characteristics are achieved and felt can vary significantly. With both designs' upper housings yielding a crisp sound upon release, the bottom housing of each switch diverges—polycarbonate in the Sakura Pink providing uniformity in sound and feel, while the KTT model capitalizes on the durability and smoothness of POK. Therefore, the ultimate choice may boil down to a preference for consistent clarity in sound versus a blend of durability and smooth action, offering a distinct user experience depending on the selected switch.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Sakura Pink features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience suitable for prolonged use during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, offering a more substantial feel that some typists may appreciate. While both switches exhibit light characteristics, the Sakura Pink allows for lighter keystrokes overall, making it the better choice for those who prioritize ease of use, while the Vanilla Ice Cream may cater to those who enjoy a firmer push. Thus, for users seeking a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Everglide Sakura Pink would be preferable, whereas the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream caters to those who favor a heavier tactile experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, the two switches differ significantly. The Sakura Pink boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional switch specification and offers a more pronounced tactile feedback with each keystroke. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, catering to those who favor quicker, more responsive actuation, particularly popular among gamers. This shorter distance might feel less abrupt to some users, providing a seamless typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a deeper and more deliberate keystroke, the Sakura Pink would be the better choice, whereas those looking for faster response times might lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream. Overall, the Sakura Pink's 4 mm is the longer travel distance, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's 3.5 mm is shorter.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink switches produce a delightfully poppy noise that resembles the playful sound of bubble wrap being popped. This characteristic gives them a light-hearted tone that can enhance the typing experience without being overly disruptive. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches feature a distinctly high-pitched and resonant sound signature, evoking a sharp and clean auditory response akin to colliding billiard balls. The clackiness of the Vanilla Ice Cream contributes to a more striking sound profile, making it stand out more than the muted, playful tone of the Sakura Pink. This difference could significantly influence a user's environment depending on their preference for sound when typing.
In terms of feel, both switches excel in providing a smooth and pleasant typing experience. The Sakura Pink switches are designed with an exceptionally light actuation force of 35g, which allows for an effortless typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a more delicate touch. Their frictionless operation further enhances this ease, leading to a gliding sensation with every keystroke. The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, while also buttery and creamy in their tactile feedback, lean slightly towards a smooth, satisfying feel due to the use of POK materials. Users can expect a similarly enjoyable typing experience but with a different emphasis on the tactile response. Both switches are crafted to minimize resistance, making them easy to press and pleasant for long typing sessions.
In summary, while both the Everglide Sakura Pink and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches are commendable choices for those seeking smooth, linear performance, they cater to different auditory and tactile preferences. The Sakura Pink leans towards a lighter, more playful sound and feel, perfect for delicate typists seeking a carefree experience. Alternatively, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a more resonant and high-pitched sound, combined with a similarly smooth keystroke but with a more emphatic auditory signature. Choosing between these two will ultimately depend on whether one prioritizes a muted, poppy sound with effortless actuation or a sharper, crisper auditory experience paired with creamy smoothness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Everglide Sakura Pink and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches, your preferences for tactile experience and sound signature should guide your choice. If you prefer a lighter touch, particularly if you're a delicate typist or plan to engage in long typing sessions, the Sakura Pink's feather-light actuation force and frictionless operation make it an excellent option. Its muted sound will also appeal to those who want to minimize noise while enjoying a smooth, buttery feel. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch that provides a bit more resistance and a vibrant, high-pitched auditory experience, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is your best bet. Its creamy texture and resonant sound add a distinctive flair to your typing, which can be especially enjoyable if you favor a more dynamic keyboard experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style and sound preferences to enhance your overall keyboarding pleasure.
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