Jwick Splash Brothers vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Jwick Splash Brothers and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that deserve your attention are the Jwick Splash Brothers and the TKC Tangerine. The Splash Brothers, a linear switch, offers a unique combination of a shorter activation and a long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying typing feel. Additionally, these switches produce a creamy sound signature, providing a pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine, also a linear switch, takes typing to the next level with its incredibly smooth feel. Thanks to the rare UHWMPE housings, every keystroke becomes a pleasure. However, while the Tangerine produces a fairly high-pitched clack while typing, the Splash Brothers offer a more neutral sound. Now, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Splash Brothers and the TKC Tangerine differ in their choice of housing materials. The Splash Brothers utilize a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile compared to the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, resonates more clearly, resulting in a distinct auditory experience. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for those who wish to incorporate RGB lighting. In contrast, the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing offers a very bright sound signature that produces resonant clacks during typing. Although both materials contribute to the overall sound profile, the differing characteristics of polycarbonate and UHWMPE shape the unique auditory experiences of these switches.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Splash Brothers feature a nylon material, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when compared to the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing. On the other hand, the Tangerine's UHWMPE material brings a very bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing. As the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, the nylon housing of the Splash Brothers enhances the typing experience, producing a satisfying deep tone. Conversely, the UHWMPE bottom housing in the Tangerine contributes to a distinct and resonant clacking sound while typing.
While there are clear distinctions in the housing materials between the Jwick Splash Brothers and the TKC Tangerine, they also share similarities in terms of the auditory experience they offer. Both switches aim to enhance the sound profile by utilizing specific materials for their top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers and the UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine both result in a sharper and crisper sound when compared to traditional switch materials. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers and the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Tangerine contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, despite their differences in housing materials, both switches ultimately aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force for both switches is currently unavailable, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. However, the bottom out force of the Splash Brothers is 48 grams, which can be considered relatively light. In contrast, the Tangerine switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which falls into the medium range.
Considering the weight of the keys, it is worth noting that some individuals may prefer a lighter switch, as it allows for longer typing periods without strain. This makes it ideal for keyboards used at work or for extended gaming sessions. In contrast, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer a heavier switch that requires a stronger push.
In terms of actuation force, since the specific force required to trigger a keystroke is not available for both switches, it is difficult to directly compare them. However, assuming the actuation forces are similar, users can expect a similar result in terms of typing experience.
Overall, the Splash Brothers linear switch is lighter with a bottom out force of 48 grams, while the TKC Tangerine linear switch is slightly heavier with a bottom out force of 62 grams. The choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the TKC Tangerine linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both of these travel distances fall within the range of what is considered normal for keyboard switches. The 4.0 mm travel distance is considered the most traditional, providing a balanced depth when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Splash Brothers offers a slightly shallower feel, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. The Tangerine switch, with its 4 mm travel distance, provides a bit more depth, which some individuals may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. In conclusion, the choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference - those seeking quicker response times may opt for the Splash Brothers with its shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more robust typing experience may lean towards the Tangerine with its slightly longer travel distance. Either way, both switches will provide satisfactory results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49, whereas the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers switch offers a creamy sound signature, which provides a pleasant and mellow typing experience. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switch produces a high-pitched clack when typing, resulting in a sharp and crisp sound. If you prefer a more neutral sound profile, the Splash Brothers switch would be the better choice. However, if you enjoy a sharper and more distinct sound profile, the Tangerine switch would suit your preferences. It's important to keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
Moving on to feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch offers a mild typing experience with a gentle resistance. It falls within a safe and approachable middle-ground zone, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switch is described as snappy and bouncy, providing a more responsive and lively feel during typing. It also has a subtle and polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switch offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience. It provides an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Like the Splash Brothers switch, the Tangerine switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Jwick Splash Brothers and TKC Tangerine switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Splash Brothers switch provides a creamy sound signature and a mild, yet snappy and bouncy typing experience. It is suitable for most intents and purposes and offers a polished finish for smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch produces a high-pitched clack sound and offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience. It is ideal for those who prefer a sharper sound profile and an extremely smooth and effortless feel. Despite their differences, both switches offer a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. So, depending on your sound and feel preferences, you can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a light and neutral linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the Jwick Splash Brothers would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 48 grams, it provides a moderate typing experience suitable for beginners and advanced users alike, whether you're using it at home or work. The shorter activation and long pole stem of the Splash Brothers give it a unique typing feel, while also producing a creamy sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a high-pitched sound profile, the TKC Tangerine would be the ideal switch for you. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a smooth and fluid typing experience, thanks to the UHWMPE housings, which are rarely found in custom mechanical switches. Its high-pitched clack adds a crisp and sharp sound to each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the Jwick Splash Brothers and the TKC Tangerine comes down to your personal preference in terms of bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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