TTC Silent Frozen (V2) vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Silent Frozen and the TTC Silent Red. The Silent Frozen switch is known for its exceptionally quiet sound profile, making it perfect for those who value a noise-free typing experience. Not only is it quiet, but it also offers a smooth and pillowy feel, providing a luxurious typing sensation. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is equally impressive in its own right. Designed for those who prioritize a seamless typing experience without the noise, the Silent Reds deliver on both fronts. With a muted sound profile, they are ideal for office or shared living spaces. Additionally, they provide a consistent and smooth feel throughout, with a padded bottom-out feel for added comfort. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch best suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
39g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Silver white spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Silent Frozen and the TTC Silent Red both use polycarbonate for their top housings. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. It results in a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those who want a more distinct typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switch.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of the Silent Frozen is also made of polycarbonate, while the Silent Red utilizes nylon. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound when pressing down on the switch. This impacts the overall sound and feel of the bottom-out action. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Red creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This can provide a different typing experience compared to the Silent Frozen.
In terms of overall performance, the top housing of both switches will have a similar impact on the sound when releasing a key, as polycarbonate is used in both cases. However, the bottom housing will differ between the Silent Frozen and the Silent Red. The Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing will contribute to a sharper sound and feel during the bottom-out action, while the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing will create a deeper and fuller sound, potentially offering a more satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are notable differences. The TTC Silent Frozen switch has an actuation force of 39 grams, which is lighter, and a bottom out force of 43 grams. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy. Therefore, the Silent Frozen switch offers a lighter and more effortless typing experience, while the Silent Red switch provides a slightly stronger push feel for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, it's important to note that both switches still offer a relatively light actuation force compared to many other switch options. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Silent Frozen has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Although both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the most traditional, they do vary slightly. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Silent Frozen with its shorter travel distance, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming may opt for the Silent Red and its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 TTC Silent Frozen switch is characterized as thocky, low-pitched, and muted. The thocky sound profile of the Silent Frozen switch produces a deep and satisfying sound when pressed, similar to a soft knock or a deep thud. The low-pitched nature of the switch adds a bass-heavy and mellow tone to the sound, making it more pleasing to the ears. Furthermore, the switch is muted, meaning it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, reducing noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is also described as muted, delivering a softer and quieter sound similar to the Silent Frozen switch. However, specific descriptors such as thocky and low-pitched are not mentioned for the Silent Red switch. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the TTC Silent Frozen switch is described as creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished. These characteristics contribute to a smooth and comfortable typing experience. The creamy nature of the switch offers a silky sensation, where fingers glide effortlessly across the keys. The buttery feel implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, ensuring seamless and uniform typing sensations. The feathery quality of the switch indicates its light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. The subtle resistance of the Silent Frozen switch provides a light typing feel without being overly feather-like, and its sound signature is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the polished finish of the switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, resulting in a sleek typing experience. Similarly, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. These qualities contribute to a smooth and effortless keystroke experience, creating a seamless and uniform typing sensation. The mild nature of the switch offers a more gentle typing experience, suitable for a wide range of users. The polished finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Silent Frozen and Silent Red switches share similarities in terms of sound as they are both described as muted, providing a softer and quieter typing experience. However, the Silent Frozen switch offers additional qualities such as thocky and low-pitched sound profiles, which can add depth and richness to the typing experience. When it comes to feel, both switches offer a buttery and polished typing experience, ensuring smooth and seamless keystrokes. However, the Silent Frozen switch offers additional qualities such as creamy, feathery, and subtle characteristics, providing a wider range of options for users seeking specific typing sensations. Overall, both switches are excellent choices for those looking for a quiet and comfortable typing experience, with the Silent Frozen switch offering some additional sound and feel options.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a lighter bottom-out force and an extremely quiet sound profile, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are characterized by their light 43-gram bottom-out force, offering a feathery typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. They also produce a thocky and low-pitched sound, providing a deep, satisfying, and muted typing experience. Additionally, the Silent Frozen switches have a creamy and buttery feel, gliding smoothly and effortlessly with every keystroke. On the other hand, if you value a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a still quiet but more approachable sound profile, the TTC Silent Red linear switch would be the perfect fit. With a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a subtle resistance that offers a polished and buttery typing experience. They produce a muted sound, minimizing noise and making them suitable for office or shared living spaces. Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Silent Frozen and Silent Red switches depends on your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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