KTT Strawberry vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the KTT Strawberry and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Strawberry and the HMX Vintage Citrus offer two distinctive yet appealing options that cater to different typing preferences. The KTT Strawberry, with its eye-catching pink and clear housing, is celebrated for its silky, buttery smooth actuation and polished feel, making it ideal for users who appreciate a comfortable and reliable typing experience. Its low-pitched feedback ensures a quieter operation without sacrificing responsiveness. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus is designed with gamers in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force that allows for rapid-fire inputs—ideal for fast-paced gaming scenarios. Its bright, clacky sound profile adds a layer of auditory feedback that many gamers find satisfying, while its smooth push feel enhances performance. Both switches offer unique characteristics to suit different needs; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Strawberry and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches present contrasting characteristics in their housing materials, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles. The Strawberry’s top housing is made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This quality is especially beneficial for users seeking enhanced clarity, particularly when RGB lighting is involved, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to shine through vividly. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus utilizes a nylon top housing, a material recognized for its properties that create a deeper, fuller sound. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and less piercing auditory experience, making it a classic choice for those who prefer a more muted acoustic response.
When examining the bottom housings of these switches, we find a similar divergence. The KTT Strawberry features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which carries the same attributes of stiffness and sound clarity as its top counterpart. This consistency ensures that the switch maintains a sharp and resonant sound profile throughout its operation. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus switches are designed with a nylon bottom housing, further enhancing the rounded, soft response already established by its top housing. The combination of nylon in both top and bottom housings accentuates the distinctive acoustic signature of the Vintage Citrus, promoting a unified sound experience that leans towards a muted timbre.
In summary, while both switches can deliver satisfying auditory results, their housing materials create notably different sound profiles. The KTT Strawberry, with its polycarbonate construction, is poised to excel in environments where clarity and brightness are desired, particularly for gamers or typists who benefit from the pronounced feedback provided by sharper sounds. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus offers a softer, more subdued experience that may be more appealing for users who prefer a quieter typing experience without overwhelming auditory feedback. Despite their differences, each switch's unique attributes promise a satisfying typing experience, tailored to the preferences of their respective users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Strawberry and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches, distinct differences emerge that cater to varying preferences among users. The KTT Strawberry has an actuation force of 43 grams, which is lighter than the Vintage Citrus's actuation force of 48 grams. This makes the Strawberry a more suitable choice for those who prioritize a lighter typing experience, particularly for extended use in both work and gaming scenarios. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus, with a higher actuation force, may appeal to users seeking a more substantial feel when typing. In terms of bottom out force, the Strawberry's is rated at 62 grams, considerably heavier than the Vintage Citrus, which has a bottom out force of 53 grams. Consequently, while the Vintage Citrus is medium-light overall, the KTT Strawberry offers a heavier experience at both the actuation and bottom out stages. Thus, users can expect a notable difference in typing resistance and feedback depending on their choice between these two switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Strawberry linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there is a distinct difference. The KTT Strawberry has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered more traditional and offers a deeper feel, making it suitable for users who prefer a more pronounced typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm, catering to those who enjoy the quicker response times that come with shallower switches. While shorter travel distances like that of the Vintage Citrus can enhance responsiveness, they may also feel abrupt to some users. Thus, if you prioritize a more substantial key press, the Strawberry would be the ideal choice, whereas gamers or those seeking speed might lean towards the Vintage Citrus for its swifter activation. Overall, the Strawberry switch provides a longer travel distance, while the Vintage Citrus offers the shorter option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
The KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 comparing the sound of the KTT Strawberry linear switch to that of the HMX Vintage Citrus switch, the Strawberry is characterized by a low-pitched sound profile, offering a mellow and bass-heavy tone. This quality contributes to a more subdued auditory experience, which many users find appealing for both typing and gaming. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch has not been specified with any distinct sound profile, leaving its acoustic qualities open for interpretation based on factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps. Given this, the Strawberry provides clear expectations for sound quality, while the Vintage Citrus may produce an unexpected sound given its gamer-focus but lacks concrete details.
In terms of feel, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is celebrated for its frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished qualities, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. These descriptors signal a refined keystroke that minimizes resistance, paving the way for fluidity and comfort during extended use. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch lacks detailed descriptors to evaluate its feel comprehensively. However, as a switch designed specifically for gamers with a low actuation force of just 1mm, it may still provide a quick and responsive feel ideal for rapid typing, suggesting that while it might not achieve the same level of smoothness as the Strawberry, it could deliver a unique tactile experience tailored to fast-paced gaming.
In conclusion, the KTT Strawberry switch stands out with its low-pitched sound and exceptional smoothness, making it an excellent choice for typists who prioritize comfort and subtleness. The Vintage Citrus, while designed for speed and responsiveness, does not provide enough detail on sound and feel to draw clear comparisons; however, its rapid actuation force implies a different appeal focused on quick inputs. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether you value a smooth typing experience or prefer a switch that supports rapid-fire key presses. While both can cater to different user preferences, the Strawberry sets definitive expectations, while the Vintage Citrus leaves room for exploration.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Strawberry linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your specific typing and gaming needs. If you prioritize a smooth, comfortable typing experience with a low-pitched, mellow sound, the Strawberry is an excellent option. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams provides a balanced feel that many users find satisfying for both typing and general use. On the other hand, if you’re a gamer seeking rapid-fire capabilities and want a quicker, more responsive switch, the Vintage Citrus is tailored for that purpose. With a lower actuation force of just 53 grams and an actuation point of 1mm, it excels in fast-paced gaming scenarios, where every millisecond counts. The Vintage Citrus switch offers a bright, clacky sound profile, enhancing the excitement of gaming sessions, though it may not provide the same tactile richness as the Strawberry. In essence, choose the Strawberry for a smooth, pleasurable typing experience and the Vintage Citrus for speed and agility in gaming.
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