TTC Honey vs. KTT Lightning
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the KTT Lightning switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Honey and the KTT Lightning. The Honey is known for its smooth and creamy feel, offering a typing experience that is frictionless and buttery. Additionally, it produces a deep and pleasant sound profile, creating a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the Lightning switches are highly regarded for their approachable "speed" feature, making them perfect for situations where split-second timing can determine victory or defeat. Typing on these switches offers a slick feel, accompanied by a clacky sound profile that adds a certain level of satisfaction. Despite these general descriptions, it is important to dive deeper into the specifics of each switch to determine which one would be the best fit for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the KTT Lightning are both polycarbonate for the top housing. This means that both switches will have a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, a relatively stiffer plastic, leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for similar sound profiles and aesthetics, both the TTC Honey and the KTT Lightning will provide similar results.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the TTC Honey features a polycarbonate material while the KTT Lightning utilizes a nylon material. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey switch will contribute to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Lightning switch will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature. The nylon material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if you are particular about the bottom-out sound and feel, the housing materials of the TTC Honey and KTT Lightning will provide different experiences.
In terms of the overall sound profile, the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the KTT Lightning offer slight variations. Both switches share the use of polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This similarity is mainly because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic that creates a clear and resonant sound. However, the switches differ in their bottom housing materials. While the TTC Honey has a polycarbonate bottom housing, the KTT Lightning features a nylon bottom housing. This results in differences in the bottom-out sound and feel, with the TTC Honey having a sharper impact and the KTT Lightning offering a deeper and fuller sound. Therefore, depending on your preference for sound profiles, you can choose between the two switches for a slightly different typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, their actuation forces and bottom out forces are fairly similar. The Honey switch has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Lightning switch has an actuation force of 43 grams. In terms of bottom out force, both switches require 50 grams of force to fully press down. This means that both switches offer a relatively light typing experience.
For those who prefer a lighter keyboard to type on for longer periods, both the Honey and Lightning switches would be suitable choices. The actuation and bottom out forces are minimal, allowing for a smoother and potentially faster typing experience. However, if someone is looking for a more substantial typing feel and prefers a stronger push, neither switch would provide that.
Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making it difficult to distinguish between them solely based on force requirements. Both switches are on the lighter end of the spectrum, providing a comfortable typing experience for extended periods.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch have different travel distances. The Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Lightning has a travel distance of 3 mm. Both switches offer shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, with the Lightning being the shallower option. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Lightning switch would be the better choice. However, some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt. For those who prefer a more substantial depth when pressing down on a key, the Honey switch with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The KTT Lightning comes in at $3.41 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Honey linear switch has a subdued sound profile. This means that when the switch is pressed, it produces a dampened sound that is not completely silent, but it is more subtle compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch has a clacky sound profile. When pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. Additionally, the Lightning switch is also described as high-pitched, which means it produces a sharp and crisp sound. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, when using the Honey or Lightning switch, the resulting sound may vary based on these additional factors.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Honey linear switch offers a smooth and creamy typing experience. This can be attributed to the switch having lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used, resulting in a silky sensation. Typing on the Honey switch feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys as they melt into each keystroke. It is also described as frictionless, meaning it minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, providing a fluid travel. The Honey switch is also considered subtle, providing a gentle resistance that is not feather-light but still maintains a light typing feel. Overall, using the Honey switch guarantees a smooth, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
Similarly, the KTT Lightning linear switch is described as subtle and polished in terms of feel. It offers a gentle resistance that is not feather-light, providing a light typing feel. This makes it suitable for shared spaces where a quieter typing experience is preferred. The Lightning switch also has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through the use of specific materials or factory lubrication, reducing friction and allowing for smooth key travel. Like with the Honey switch, the overall feel of the Lightning switch may also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch is characterized by its smooth and creamy feel, providing a buttery and frictionless typing experience. It has a subdued sound profile, offering a more subtle and dampened sound when pressed. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch is known for its subtle and polished feel, providing a light typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. It has a clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. Although the two switches differ in their feel and sound characteristics, they both offer a smooth typing experience, albeit in slightly different ways. Depending on personal preference and the desired sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Honey linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, consider your preferences for both sound and feel. The Honey is best known for its smooth and creamy feel, offering a pleasant and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the Lightning is designed as a speed switch, perfect for situations where milliseconds matter, with a slick feel and a clacky sound profile. If you prefer a more subdued sound and a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Honey switch is a great choice. However, if you prioritize speed and a snappy, percussive sound, the Lightning switch would be a better fit. Furthermore, both switches have a subtle feel and a polished finish, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your use case.
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