KTT Vanilla Ice Cream vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the TTC Venus stand out for their unique features and characteristics. The Vanilla Ice Cream is praised for its smooth and creamy feel, crafted with POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, delivering a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Venus boasts a seamless and nearly frictionless glide, with a "Q-texture" that provides a matte sensation akin to biting into a chewy mochi or tapioca pearl. While the Vanilla Ice Cream is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'High-pitched', the Venus is described as 'Buttery', 'Gummy', and 'Low-pitched'. Ultimately, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the TTC Venus, we can see that they both offer unique sound profiles but in different ways. The Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing provides a high-pitched and clacky sound, while the Venus's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. This difference in sound profile can greatly impact the overall typing experience for users, with the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a more distinct and sharp sound compared to the Venus's smoother and softer sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material is known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound. On the other hand, the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing brings a sharper and more resonant sound profile to the switch. This difference in bottom housing materials can affect the overall feel and sound of the switch when pressed, with the POK material providing a smoother and more durable experience compared to the polycarbonate material.
In terms of overall typing experience, the use of different housing materials in both the top and bottom housings of the switches can offer unique characteristics to each keyboard. While the Vanilla Ice Cream may offer a sharper and clackier sound due to its KTT blend top housing and POK bottom housing, the TTC Venus provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing and polycarbonate bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile, smoothness, and durability.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Vanilla Ice Cream has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option overall. On the other hand, the Venus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, which gives it a medium-light feel. The actuation force of both switches is relatively close, so users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, the bottom out force of the Venus is higher, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or slightly heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that have become popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch is slightly shorter, which may appeal to those who prioritize speed and responsiveness. On the other hand, the Venus switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial feeling when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the sensation desired while typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, providing typists with a sharp and crisp auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch presents a muted and subdued sound, wrapping each keystroke in a soft and quiet embrace. If you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be the way to go, while the Venus switch provides a more subtle and gentle typing sound.
When it comes to feel, both the Vanilla Ice Cream and TTC Venus switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as providing a buttery and creamy typing sensation, allowing for effortless and uniform typing. Similarly, the TTC Venus switch offers a buttery feel, along with additional descriptors like gummy and frictionless, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable typing experience. Both switches aim to provide typists with a seamless and engaging keystroke.
Overall, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and TTC Venus linear switches each have their unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound paired with a buttery and creamy feel, the TTC Venus switch provides a muted sound along with a buttery, gummy, and frictionless touch. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches promise a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that whether you choose the Vanilla Ice Cream or Venus, you'll get similar results of smooth and efficient keystrokes.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force, you may lean towards the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream with its 48-gram bottom out force. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer bottom out force, the 52-gram bottom out force of the TTC Venus may be more appealing to you. Additionally, if you value a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream may be the way to go. However, if you prefer a muted and subdued sound signature, the Venus could be the better choice. In terms of feel, if you enjoy a buttery and creamy typing experience, both switches offer similarities in this regard. Ultimately, your decision should be based on how these factors align with your personal preferences and typing style.
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