KTT Vanilla Ice Cream vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches offer unique experiences tailored to different user preferences. The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is revered for its buttery, creamy sensation, providing a smooth and enjoyable typing experience that evokes the delightful essence of its namesake dessert. With its high-pitched and clacky sound signature, it not only feels fantastic but also adds an auditory charm that enhances typing satisfaction. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus is engineered with gamers in mind, sporting an incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm that caters to rapid-fire inputs, making it an ideal choice for competitive play. Its bright, clacky sound profile and incredibly smooth push feel ensure that every keystroke is both responsive and satisfying. While the Vanilla Ice Cream leans toward providing a luxurious typing experience, the Vintage Citrus is all about speed and efficiency. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches, there are notable differences that contribute to their sound profiles and overall performance. The Vanilla Ice Cream's top housing utilizes a proprietary KTT blend made from "special mixed materials," which is designed to produce a high-pitched and clacky sound. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a nylon top housing, a well-established material known for generating a deeper, fuller sound profile. This contrast in materials means that while Vanilla Ice Cream focuses on creating a pronounced sound signature, the Vintage Citrus aims for a sound that absorbs more vibrations due to the properties of nylon, resulting in a softer auditory experience.
The bottom housings of the switches also highlight differences in materials that further differentiate their performance. The Vanilla Ice Cream employs POK material, known for its durability, low friction, and superior shock resistance. This makes it one of the smoothest and most robust housing choices available, contributing to a distinct smooth and clacky feel during typing. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus uses nylon for its bottom housing as well, which, while providing a robust and dependable construction, does not match the wear resistance and shock absorption of POK. The nylon's softer nature means it creates a rounder bottom-out sound, in contrast to the crispness brought by the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material.
Ultimately, the differences in top and bottom housing materials will affect how these switches feel and sound during use. For the Vanilla Ice Cream, the combination of the KTT blend top and POK bottom harnesses a high-pitched clackiness that stands out, while the Vintage Citrus’s nylon top and bottom create a mellower and softer experience. If both switches were to utilize the same construction materials, they would yield similar results in sound and feel, albeit with nuanced variations in auditory characteristics due to the distinct design choices governing each type of switch. Therefore, while both switches can achieve effective performance, the interplay between their materials results in unique sound profiles and user experiences.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch to the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Vanilla Ice Cream requires a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and features a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer touch, allowing for longer typing sessions and comfort during intensive gaming. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that while both switches deliver a relatively understated typing experience, the Vintage Citrus involves a firmer touch, which may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Thus, the Vanilla Ice Cream is the lighter option, offering ease of use, while the Vintage Citrus provides a bit more resistance, potentially benefiting users who appreciate a tactile push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Vintage Citrus has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This makes the Vintage Citrus the more responsive option, appealing to gamers who favor quicker key activation for faster response times. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream, with its greater 3.5 mm distance, may provide a more tactile experience, which some users might find preferable for its deeper feel. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches depends on personal preference, as those favoring a more responsive and abrupt feel may lean towards the Vintage Citrus, whereas those seeking a more substantial keypress might prefer the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream.
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 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.
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
The auditory experience of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is marked by a distinctive high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This switch produces a sharp, resonant tone that draws comparisons to the crisp sound of billiard balls colliding or the sharpness of hitting a piece of marble, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a cleaner and more pronounced auditory feedback. On the other hand, while the sound profile of the HMX Vintage Citrus is described as bright and clacky as well, its lack of detailed descriptors means its acoustic qualities remain somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, it can be surmised that both switches will provide a lively, engaging sound experience, albeit with potential variation influenced by the keyboard they are paired with.
When it comes to tactile feedback, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream excels with its buttery and creamy feel. These descriptors indicate a smooth, fluid keystroke that provides an effortless typing experience; users will find their fingers gliding over the keys as if they were skating on ice cream. The Vintage Citrus switch, tailored for rapid-fire gaming, achieves its goals with a low actuation force, ideal for fast-paced inputs, but lacks specific descriptors on the tactile sensation. Therefore, while gamers may appreciate the rapid response, the precise feel may not be as well articulated. Ultimately, both switches promise a smooth performance, appealing to different user preferences.
In summary, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers an engaging auditory experience with its high-pitched sound and a notably smooth, creamy tactile feedback. The HMX Vintage Citrus switch, primarily designed for gamers, provides a rapid response with a bright clacky sound, though its tactile characteristics remain less defined. Both switches are likely to deliver enjoyable typing experiences, appealing to different types of users: the Vanilla Ice Cream for those who prioritize typing comfort and sound, and the Vintage Citrus for gamers seeking quick responsiveness. This variety allows newcomers to select based on their specific needs and preferences, ensuring satisfying results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch should hinge on your specific typing and gaming preferences. If you prioritize a lighter typing experience and appreciate a high-pitched, clacky sound that enhances auditory feedback, the Vanilla Ice Cream is an excellent choice. Its smooth and creamy feel, perfect for long typing sessions, makes it ideal for those who spend considerable time working on documents or programming. On the other hand, if you're a gamer looking for rapid response times, the Vintage Citrus will serve you well with its medium-light force and exceptionally low actuation distance. This switch caters specifically to gaming needs, providing a snappy feedback that facilitates quick actions and keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches have their unique strengths, so your decision should reflect whether you value a buttery, smooth feel or a swift, dynamic response in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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