TTC Silent Red vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Red and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Silent Red and the HMX Twilight linear switches offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Silent Red is renowned for its smooth and seamless typing experience, characterized by a muted sound profile that makes it an ideal choice for those in office or shared living spaces where noise reduction is essential. Its buttery and polished feel ensures comfort during long typing sessions, with a padded bottom-out that adds to the overall satisfaction. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight shines with its impressive 3.85mm travel distance, providing a slightly quieter operation while still preserving the signature clacky characteristics many gamers and typists crave. While the Twilight may not prioritize silence like the Silent Red, its extended travel can enhance tactile feedback and responsiveness. Each switch has its merits—whether you prioritize a quiet environment with the Silent Red or a rewarding, tactile experience with the Twilight. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.85 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Silent Red and HMX Twilight switches, significant differences emerge, particularly in the composition of their top housings. The Silent Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that imparts a brighter, crisper sound profile, largely due to the material's stiffer nature. This characteristic allows for a more resonant sound that shines when RGB lighting is applied, thanks to polycarbonate's translucency. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight employs a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer composition of nylon absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a rounder and less piercing auditory experience. Essentially, while the Silent Red's polycarbonate enhances clarity and brightness, the Twilight's nylon provides a softer, warmer tone.
Contrasting the bottom housings reveals more uniformity, as both the Silent Red and Twilight use nylon for their respective bottom housing components. This common choice grants both switches a similar acoustic quality characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. The inherent sound absorption properties of nylon contribute to a more muted bottom-out sound, which can enhance the overall typing experience by reducing harshness. Therefore, while the Silent Red and Twilight differ in their top housing materials—leading to distinct sound profiles—their shared nylon bottom housings unify their acoustics to some extent, giving users a similar experience when bottoming out the keys.
In summary, the differences in the top housing materials of the TTC Silent Red and HMX Twilight switches lead to distinctly contrasting sound profiles during typographical actions. The Silent Red’s polycarbonate top promotes a sharper output, while the Twilight’s nylon cover softens it significantly. Nonetheless, the identical choice of nylon for the bottom housings ensures that both switches retain a deeper sound quality when pressed down. Consequently, users can expect variations in sound upon release, driven by the top housing, while experiencing a familiar depth and warmth in the sound produced when striking the switches, thanks to the common nylon characteristic.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces that cater to varying preferences. The Silent Red requires an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which positions it on the medium-heavy side of the spectrum. In contrast, the Twilight switch features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. As a result, users who prefer a lighter typing experience may gravitate towards the Twilight, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, the Silent Red's higher forces offer a more substantial feel that some might find preferable for a satisfying typing experience. Overall, those seeking a lighter switch would benefit from the Twilight, while those who enjoy a stronger push should consider the Silent Red.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This means that the Silent Red is the shorter switch, offering a travel distance that can facilitate quicker key presses, which is often preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. In contrast, the Twilight, with its greater travel distance, provides a more pronounced feel and may appeal to those who appreciate a deeper keystroke. Ultimately, if you favor responsiveness in your typing or gaming experience, the Silent Red will cater to that preference; however, if you lean towards a more substantial keystroke, the Twilight would be the better choice.
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 HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 linear switch excels with its muted profile, making it an excellent choice for environments where noise is a concern, such as offices or shared spaces. This switch minimizes the typical clack that is often associated with mechanical keyboards, allowing for a more discreet typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch, while also relatively quiet, retains some of the signature clacky qualities present in HMX switches due to its extended travel distance of 3.85mm. However, the exact sound characteristics of the Twilight are not fully detailed, leaving some uncertainty about how it compares to the Silent Red in terms of noise levels.
As for the feel, the TTC Silent Red is praised for its buttery smoothness, providing a seamless and fluid keystroke experience. This switch is designed to enhance comfort, featuring a mild sensation that is approachable for most users, making it ideal for extended typing sessions without fatigue. Furthermore, its polished finish ensures reduced friction during key presses. The HMX Twilight’s feel remains unclear, as no specific descriptors have been provided. Nevertheless, if it follows typical HMX characteristics, one might expect a different typing sensation, one that could lean towards a more dynamic feedback depending on its design philosophy.
In summary, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the go-to option for those seeking a quiet, smooth, and comfortable typing experience, marked by its muted sound and buttery feel. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switch offers a unique extended travel distance that contributes to its somewhat quieter yet potentially clackier sound profile and an undisclosed typing sensation. While both switches cater to different preferences, the TTC Silent Red is likely to provide a more consistent and refined experience for noise-sensitive users, whereas the Twilight may appeal to those who enjoy a different dynamic in their typing.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific needs and preferences. If you seek a typing experience that prioritizes silence and comfort, particularly in office settings or shared living spaces, the Silent Red is an excellent option. Its quiet operation, medium-heavy actuation force, and buttery, polished feel provide a smooth and pleasant typing experience, ideal for focused work without distracting background noise. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter keystroke with a longer travel distance that still allows for a subtle auditory feedback without being too clacky, the HMX Twilight will suit you well. Its 50-gram actuation force, coupled with an extended travel distance, balances a quieter sound profile with the enjoyable characteristics of a linear switch. Ultimately, your choice should be guided by whether you value a more muted, comfortable typing experience or a lighter switch that offers a unique tactile journey with a hint of sound.
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