TTC Silent Red vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a smooth and quiet typing experience, both the TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow have much to offer. The Silent Red is renowned for its buttersoft feel and minimal noise, making it ideal for office or shared living spaces. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow offers a delightful sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, adding a touch of indulgence to your typing sessions. It also boasts a unique POM stem and factory lube method for a distinct gliding feel. Despite their differences, both switches share a polished finish, ensuring a refined typing experience. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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 TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow have different housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Silent Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials have their own aesthetic appeal, with polycarbonate being translucent and suitable for RGB lighting, while POM offers a pleasing and unique appearance.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Silent Red employs a nylon material, known for generating a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. Comparatively, the Sunset Yellow uses a POM bottom housing, which also contributes to its deep and muted sound. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing a tactile experience when pressed.
While the top and bottom housings differ in the Silent Red and Sunset Yellow, they each play a crucial role in the overall sound experience. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are felt, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, releasing a key is influenced by the top housing material, influencing the sound produced. Although the switch materials differ, both the Silent Red and the Sunset Yellow deliver unique and pleasing sound profiles.
In summary, the TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow feature distinct housing materials that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Silent Red's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp and crisp sound, while the nylon bottom housing enhances the depth and fullness. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow's POM top and bottom housings deliver a deeper and more muted sound. While these differences exist, both switches offer appealing sound experiences, showcasing the significance of housing materials in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences to consider. The Silent Red requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, whereas the Sunset Yellow requires 43 grams, making it slightly lighter. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Red is significantly heavier at 63.5 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 51 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sunset Yellow may be the better option, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and has a lighter bottom out force. This could be beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions, as it reduces fatigue. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Silent Red, as its heavier actuation force and bottom out force provide a stronger push feel.
While the Silent Red offers a medium-heavy feel with its actuation and bottom out forces, the Sunset Yellow falls into the medium-light category. Despite the differences, the similar medium ranges of both switches ensure that they provide a comfortable typing experience without the extreme heaviness or lightness that some may find undesirable.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Silent Red linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm standard, indicating that they are both more responsive options. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. However, it is important to note that the Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance than the Sunset Yellow. Therefore, if you are seeking a switch with a bit more depth and a slightly less abrupt feel, the Silent Red may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a highly responsive and quicker key press, the Sunset Yellow with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the more suitable option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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 Red and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different experiences. The Silent Red switch is best known for its muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a keyboard switch that won't disturb others in an office or shared living space. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. It has a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, providing a more indulgent typing experience. The sound of both switches can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you choose.
In terms of feel, the Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. These descriptors indicate a smooth, fluid, and refined typing experience. The switch provides a seamless and effortless keystroke, ensuring a consistent feel from top to bottom. It also offers a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch is described as creamy, frictionless, and polished. This implies a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. The POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to the distinct gliding feel of the switch. Overall, both switches provide a polished and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking all the available information into account, the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Red switch is characterized by its muted sound profile and buttery, mild, and polished feel. It is a suitable choice for those who prioritize a quiet typing experience and a smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding and a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. It provides a more indulgent typing experience with smooth and effortless key presses. Both switches have their unique qualities, so the choice between them depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience. However, if you prefer a quieter sound and a smoother typing experience, both switches should provide similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the TTC Silent Red would be the perfect choice for you. These switches have a muted sound profile, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, they provide a consistent and comfortable typing feel from top to bottom. On the other hand, if you prefer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, the Everglide Sunset Yellow would be the better option. With a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, typing becomes an indulgent experience. These switches have a medium-light bottom out force of 51 grams, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Their unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem ensures a sharper and highly responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Sunset Yellow will depend on whether you prioritize a muted sound profile and maximum comfiness or a captivating sound profile and indulgent typing experience.