KTT Vanilla Ice Cream vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and Durock White Lotus stand out as popular options in their respective categories. The Vanilla Ice Cream is a linear switch known for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. It also offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, adding a unique touch to your typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus is a tactile switch designed for those who prefer a more delicate tactility. It strikes the perfect balance between feedback and comfort, making it ideal for extended typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus features a removable light column for captivating RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of your keyboard setup. While these general pointers can help you choose between the two switches, it's important to delve deeper into their specific qualities to make the best decision for your needs. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream uses a proprietary blend for its top housing material, providing a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which offers a unique and premium feel. While both switches aim for a satisfying sound experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream leans towards a sharper sound profile, while the White Lotus focuses more on a premium tactile feel.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes POK, known for its smoothness and durability. The POK material contributes to the switch's smooth, clacky, and durable characteristics, making it a top choice for switch materials. On the other hand, the White Lotus employs nylon for its bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, giving the White Lotus a rounder and duller sound compared to the sharper sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream.
While the housing materials for the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Durock White Lotus differ in their compositions and resulting sound profiles, both switches prioritize a premium typing experience. The KTT switch focuses on a high-pitched and clacky sound signature with a durable POK bottom housing for smooth operation. In comparison, the Durock switch offers a unique and premium tactile feel with a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch differ in terms of their weight. The Vanilla Ice Cream is lighter with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, while the White Lotus is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the White Lotus. Both switches provide unique typing experiences due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Vanilla Ice Cream's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the White Lotus's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. Both switches offer a different feel due to their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference on whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance for your keyboard switches.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is known for its high-pitched and clacky sound signature, providing typists with a sharp and crisp auditory experience that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for a variety of environments. When it comes to the feel, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience that feels effortless and uniform. In contrast, the White Lotus switch is known for being easy-to-press, providing gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate, ultimately enhancing the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel.
Overall, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch excels in providing a high-pitched and marbly sound profile, coupled with a buttery and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-pitched and subtle sound profile, accompanied by an easy-to-press and mild typing feel. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences. Ultimately, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but choosing between the two will depend on whether you prefer a sharper and more resonant sound or a mellow and gentle typing feel.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider the following points. Opt for the Vanilla Ice Cream if you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile. The innovative use of POK material in these switches delivers a unique feel that stands out from the crowd. On the other hand, choose the White Lotus if you enjoy a delicate tactile feedback with easy-to-press actuation and a low-pitched sound profile. The White Lotus switches also offer customizable RGB lighting effects for a visually captivating typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and any additional features you may prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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