TTC Silent Frozen (V2) vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the TTC Silent Frozen and the TKC Tangerine. The Silent Frozen switch is renowned for its exceptionally quiet sound profile and offers a luxurious typing experience with its super smooth and pillowy feel. It falls under the categories of 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Buttery', 'Muted', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switch elevates your typing experience by providing an incredibly smooth feel with each keystroke. Its unique feature is the UHWMPE housings, which are quite rare in the realm of bespoke mechanical switches. While typing, you may experience a fairly high-pitched clack. The TKC Tangerine switch is categorized as 'Frictionless', 'Buttery', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished'. These general pointers give you a glimpse into the qualities of each switch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so that you can make an informed decision and choose the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
39g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Silver white spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Frozen and the TKC Tangerine switches exhibit distinct differences. The Silent Frozen features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Tangerine employs a UHWMPE top housing, a newer material that provides a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks during typing. While both materials enhance the sound experience, they bring about different characteristics to the overall switch sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Silent Frozen utilizes polycarbonate, similar to its top housing. As a result, it maintains the same attributes of a sharper, crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound when the switch is bottomed-out. Conversely, the Tangerine features a UHWMPE bottom housing, offering a contrasting experience. Its bright sound signature adds a distinct clack during typing, resulting in a unique auditory feedback when using the switch. The materials used in the bottom housing of each switch play a significant role in shaping the sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
While the top and bottom housing materials of both switches differ, they bring different qualities to the overall switch experience. Pressing down on the switch, the material of the bottom housing predominantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the Silent Frozen contributes to a more pronounced and resonant bottom-out experience, whereas the UHWMPE in the Tangerine provides a distinct and bright clack. Conversely, the material of the top housing, whether it be polycarbonate or UHWMPE, impacts the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, despite their variations, the housing materials of both switches contribute to an enhanced sound and tactile experience, each in their own unique way.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, their actuation and bottom out forces differ significantly. The Silent Frozen has a relatively light actuation force of 39 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. This lighter force allows for longer typing sessions and is advantageous for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium. This heavier force provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to individuals who desire a stronger push feel. Although the actuation force of the Tangerine switch is unavailable to compare directly, it is evident that it requires more pressure for bottoming out compared to the Silent Frozen. Consequently, those seeking similar results to the Silent Frozen's light actuation and bottom out forces may find the Tangerine switch to be a potentially suitable option due to its heavier bottom out force. However, it is worth noting that the two switches have inherently different force requirements, with one being lighter and the other being heavier.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Frozen has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Tangerine has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Tangerine has the longer travel distance, making it more suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen offers a shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether one prefers a shallower or a deeper key press.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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 Frozen linear switch offers a thocky sound profile, which is characterized by a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. It has a low-pitched tone, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. The Silent Frozen switch is also muted, producing a softer and quieter sound that helps minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is known for its high-pitched sound, which creates a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This switch is ideal for those who prefer a more rich and bassy sound profile. However, it should be noted that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch offers a creamy, buttery, and feathery typing experience. The creaminess of the switch provides a smooth and buttery sensation, making it feel like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The buttery nature of the switch implies a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, the feathery nature of the switch makes it exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. The TTC Silent Frozen switch also has a subtle resistance and a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Similarly, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience. The frictionless nature of the switch ensures an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This switch provides a fluid travel, allowing for seamless and effortless keystrokes. The Tangerine switch also has a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch offer smooth and pleasant typing experiences. The Silent Frozen switch is characterized by its extremely quiet sound profile, low-pitched and muted sound, as well as its creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch is known for its high-pitched sound and offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience with a polished finish. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide satisfying results.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the choice between the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are a few key factors to consider. If you prioritize a light bottom out force, the Silent Frozen with its 43 grams may be the better option for you. Furthermore, if you value an extremely quiet sound profile and a pillowy feel, the Silent Frozen is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and prioritize a typing experience that is incredibly smooth, the Tangerine switch is worth considering. Additionally, if you enjoy a higher-pitched clack when typing, the Tangerine switch offers this unique sound profile. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel.
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