TTC Silent Brown vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular contenders are the TTC Silent Brown and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Silent Brown is best known for its comfortable typing experience, offering a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. What sets it apart is its muted sound profile, making it a great choice for those who prefer a quieter keyboard. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches are known for their captivating sound profile that resembles the collision of mahjong tiles. With a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, typing becomes an indulgent experience. Additionally, the POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel. These switches also have a unique combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem, resulting in a sharper and highly responsive typing experience. Despite these general pointers, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Brown and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches have distinct characteristics that result in different sound profiles. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Brown creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. This material is especially useful for those utilizing RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow produces a more muted and deep sound profile. While the Silent Brown emphasizes clarity and resonance, the Sunset Yellow offers a unique and pleasing sound experience.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Silent Brown features a nylon material that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow contributes to the switch's deeper and more muted sound. Both switches provide a different tactile experience due to the qualities brought by their respective bottom housings.
When comparing the top and bottom housings of each switch, it is evident that the qualities of each housing material are divided. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Silent Brown and Sunset Yellow switches offer different sound profiles and tactile experiences, they both prioritize delivering a unique and satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Silent Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams, which means that it requires a slightly heavier push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Sunset Yellow, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. In terms of the bottom out force, the Silent Brown is heavier with 63.5 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 51 grams.
This contrast in forces indicates that the Silent Brown offers a more substantial typing experience, as it requires a stronger push both for actuation and bottoming out. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow provides a lighter feel, making it suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. This lighter weight can be advantageous for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience and those who value prolonged use without fatigue.
It is worth noting that while the forces of the Silent Brown are generally heavier than the Sunset Yellow, they both fall within the medium range. Therefore, if one is looking for similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, they can expect comparable tactile feedback from these two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Silent Brown and the Sunset Yellow will depend on individual preferences and whether a lighter or heavier force is desired for an optimal typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm.
The Silent Brown, with its 3.8 mm travel distance, falls on the longer side of the spectrum. This may appeal to individuals who prefer a more substantial keypress and a sense of depth when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow's shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm is well-suited for gamers seeking faster response times. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation, which can be advantageous in competitive gaming scenarios.
It's important to note that both switches offer distinct advantages depending on personal preference. The Silent Brown provides a deeper keypress, which may be ideal for those who prefer a more deliberate and satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow offers a quicker and more responsive keypress, catering to gamers who prioritize speed and precision.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch will depend on individual preferences and the desired keyboard experience. Whether opting for the longer or shorter travel distance, both switches provide their own unique benefits, ensuring an enjoyable and personalized typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
The Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 TTC Silent Brown switch is best known for its muted profile. Muted switches are designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, resulting in a softer and quieter sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. These switches have a rich and bassy sound, characterized by a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow switch is described as thocky, which means it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, similar to a soft "thud" or a gentle "knock". It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Ultimately, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Brown switch is the way to go, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a more indulgent and bass-rich sound.
In terms of feel, the TTC Silent Brown switch is often described as buttery, mild, and polished. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild characteristic of the Silent Brown switch offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It stands in a safe middle-ground zone, not too tactile or too linear. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch contributes to a sleek and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch is described as creamy, frictionless, and polished. The creamy characteristic signifies a smooth and buttery typing experience, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. This sensation is often achieved through factory lubrication or specific materials used in the switch. The Sunset Yellow switch also offers a frictionless experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction during key presses. Like the Silent Brown switch, the Sunset Yellow switch features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, both switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, with the Sunset Yellow offering a slightly more luxurious and effortless feel.
In conclusion, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Brown switch provides a muted sound profile and a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound, along with a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. While they have their distinct qualities, both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience. If you prefer a quieter sound and a gentle, fluid typing sensation, the Silent Brown switch is a great choice. Alternatively, if you desire a more indulgent sound and a silky-smooth typing experience, the Sunset Yellow switch is worth considering. Remember that personal preferences, keyboard setup, and keycaps can also impact the overall experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when it comes to choosing between the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you value a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, along with a muted sound profile, then the Silent Brown is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, with a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, along with a distinct gliding feel and highly responsive typing experience, then the Sunset Yellow is the switch to go for. Both switches have their unique characteristics and offer different typing sensations. So, consider your desired sound and feel, as well as the bottom out force, and make your decision accordingly.