TTC Silent Brown vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the TTC Silent Brown and the Gateron Weightlessness both stand out as excellent tactile options, each with unique characteristics tailored to different typing preferences. The Silent Brown switches are celebrated for their buttery and polished feel, delivering a comfortable typing experience with light to medium resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, all while ensuring a muted sound profile perfect for quiet settings. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches provide a subtle to moderate tactile sensation, allowing for a balanced sound profile that complements their tactile qualities, making them versatile for a variety of typing environments. While the Silent Brown excels in offering a more discreet auditory experience, the Weightlessness switch invites users to enjoy a balance of tactility and acoustic feedback. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The TTC Silent Brown and Gateron Weightlessness switches exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly affect their sound profiles. The Silent Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for clearer resonance when typing. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness utilizes a nylon top housing, which is softer and dampens sound, thereby generating a deeper and fuller sound profile during use. The aesthetic advantage of polycarbonate is also worth noting; its translucency can beautifully showcase RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of custom keyboard builds.
Conversely, both the Silent Brown and the Weightlessness share the same nylon material for their bottom housings. This consistency contributes to a similar fuller sound experience when bottoming out, as nylon's absorptive nature creates a rounder sound. Regardless of the differing top housing materials, the impact of both switches’ nylon bottoms will provide a comparable feel and auditory experience upon key activation. Consequently, users should expect a warm and refined sound characteristic from both switches due to the nylon used in the bottom housings, which absorbs sound and creates a more muted auditory experience when a key is pressed.
To summarize, while the TTC Silent Brown and Gateron Weightlessness switches differ in their top housing materials, they share the same nylon composition for the bottom housing. This divergence in the top housing directly influences the sound profile and typing experience, with polycarbonate leading to a crisper result, whereas nylon favors warmth. However, since both switches leverage nylon for the bottom housing, users will find similarities in the sound and feel during the keystroke's bottom-out phase. In essence, the choice between these two switches largely hinges on the user’s preference for high-pitched versus deeper acoustic qualities, while both offer a satisfying typing experience in terms of sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch present some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy, which can provide a satisfying tactile feedback for typists who enjoy a bit of resistance while typing. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness features a higher actuation force of 50 grams, indicating a firmer push that some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch is listed as unknown, making direct comparisons difficult in this respect. Overall, the TTC Silent Brown is the lighter option, while the Gateron Weightlessness is the heavier choice. Users seeking a switch that allows for longer typing sessions might gravitate towards the Silent Brown, whereas those desiring a firmer feel might appreciate the Weightlessness, despite its unknown bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, the TTC Silent Brown offers a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Silent Brown switch provides a deeper keystroke, which can be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback during typing. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers or those seeking quicker response times, as the key registers faster with less travel. If you favor a more responsive feel, the Gateron Weightlessness would be the better choice; however, if you prefer a richer depth in your typing experience, the TTC Silent Brown would be the option to consider.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $5.00.
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is known for its muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. This muted characteristic minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it an excellent choice for quiet environments. While the Gateron Weightlessness switch's specific sound profile is not detailed, it is suggested to have a balanced sound that complements its tactile features, making it likely to be less clacky than other options. However, it's important to remember that the overall sound can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Silent Brown switch excels with its buttery and polished characteristics. This means the keystrokes provide a smooth and fluid experience, offering a seamless typing sensation thanks to its refined finish. Users can expect reduced friction and consistently smooth key travel when using this switch. The Gateron Weightlessness, while noted for its subtle to moderate tactile feel, lacks detailed descriptors about its smoothness or typing experience. Thus, the tactile engagement it provides might not match the seamless experience offered by the Silent Brown.
In conclusion, both the TTC Silent Brown and Gateron Weightlessness switches serve as great options for those seeking tactile feedback. The Silent Brown is favored for its quiet operation and smooth typing experience, while the Weightlessness is recognized for its general balanced tactile feel. Ultimately, if sound levels and a buttery feel are your primary criteria, the Silent Brown may be the more appealing choice, but those who appreciate a subtle tactile sensitivity might find satisfaction with the Weightlessness. Each switch can deliver beneficial qualities depending on personal preferences and typing environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and intended use. If you value a medium-heavy feel along with a quiet typing experience, especially in environments where noise might be disruptive, the Silent Brown is a superb option. Its buttery and polished feel offers a satisfying and refined typing experience, making it ideal for both work and casual use. Conversely, if you're looking for a switch that provides a more subtle tactile feedback while prioritizing a balanced sound profile, the Gateron Weightlessness switch might be more suitable. While its exact bottom-out force is unknown, it is designed to provide a smooth feel, making it an excellent choice for prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. Overall, consider your environment, typing style, and whether you prefer a more pronounced tactile experience or a smoother, quieter option to determine which switch will enhance your keyboard setup the most.
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