KTT Strawberry vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the KTT Strawberry and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Strawberry and the HMX Xinhai are two popular choices when it comes to mechanical keyboard switches. The Strawberry is a linear switch loved for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. On the other hand, the Xinhai is also a linear switch but is known for its unique PA12 top housing for softer acoustics and POM stem for a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. While the Strawberry is categorized as low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, the Xinhai is described as bouncy, clacky, and creamy. If you prefer a smoother typing experience, the Strawberry may be the way to go, while the Xinhai offers a more tactile and slightly louder typing experience. 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
43g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Strawberry and the HMX Xinhai both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. However, where the two keyboards differ is in their bottom housing materials. The Strawberry continues with polycarbonate for its bottom housing, while the Xinhai opts for nylon. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, both the KTT Strawberry and HMX Xinhai benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate in their top housing, providing a visually appealing look for those who enjoy RGB lighting effects. However, the use of different materials for their bottom housing affects the overall sound and feel of the switches. The KTT Strawberry's polycarbonate bottom housing complements the top housing, maintaining a sharp and clear sound profile throughout the keystroke. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai's nylon bottom housing offers a unique typing experience, with a deeper and fuller sound that may appeal to users looking for a softer, more muted typing feel.
While both keyboards share the benefits of polycarbonate in their top housing, the choice of bottom housing material sets the KTT Strawberry and HMX Xinhai apart in terms of sound and feel. The split between the top and bottom housing allows for a distinct typing experience with each keyboard. Users who prefer a sharper, crisper sound may lean towards the KTT Strawberry with its polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while those looking for a deeper, fuller sound may find the nylon bottom housing of the HMX Xinhai more appealing. Ultimately, the housing materials contribute significantly to the overall typing experience and sound profile of these keyboards.
Weight
The KTT Strawberry linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force and bottom out force compared to the HMX Xinhai linear switch. The Strawberry requires 43 grams of force to actuate and 62 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the Xinhai only needs 37 grams to actuate and 45 grams to bottom out, making it a lighter option. This means that the Strawberry will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience with a firmer push feel, while the Xinhai will offer a lighter touch for those who prefer a gentler keystroke. Both switches fall within a comfortable range for many users, but those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Xinhai, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance may opt for the Strawberry for similar results.
Travel distance
The KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Xinhai may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Strawberry may provide a more satisfying depth for typing enthusiasts. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Xinhai being the shorter option and the Strawberry being the longer one. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $2.99.
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 it comes to sound, the KTT Strawberry linear switch offers a low-pitched tone that provides a bass-heavy and mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai linear switch is known for its clacky sound, which produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving off a crisp, bright, and percussive tone. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Strawberry focusing on a lower pitch and the Xinhai providing a more vibrant clack.
Moving onto the feel of the switches, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is praised for its frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate that the Strawberry switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing sensation with minimal resistance and friction, resulting in a fluid and polished keystroke. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai linear switch is described as bouncy and creamy, providing a bouncy and spring-like feedback sensation combined with a smooth and buttery typing experience. Both switches offer a range of tactile feedback and smoothness, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
In conclusion, the KTT Strawberry linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch both offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Strawberry excels in providing a lower-pitched sound and a smooth, frictionless typing experience, the Xinhai stands out with its clacky sound and bouncy, creamy feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. However, both switches are designed to deliver reliable performance and comfortable use for enthusiasts looking for quality mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force switch with a smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance, the KTT Strawberry linear switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force switch with a softer acoustics profile and a crisp, higher-pitched sound, the HMX Xinhai linear switch would be more suitable. Consider the sound and feel preferences described for each switch to determine which one aligns better with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Strawberry and HMX Xinhai linear switches will depend on your individual needs and preferences for a mechanical keyboard switch.
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