TKC Kiwi vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the TKC Kiwi and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a satisfying tactile experience, look no further than the TKC Kiwi. Known for its medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, the Kiwi Switches enhance your typing experience with a snappy and immersive sound profile. These switches are lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. On the other hand, if speed and precision are at the top of your priority list, the TTC Speed Silver is the perfect choice. These linear switches offer a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile. With a reduced travel distance, the Speed Silvers allow for quick and effortless actuation. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, offering unique advantages to users. 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
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TKC Kiwi and TTC Speed Silver switches offer distinct differences in sound signatures and aesthetics. The Kiwi's UHWMPE top housing provides a bright sound signature with resonant clacks while typing. In contrast, the Speed Silver's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the Kiwi's UHWMPE top housing is not translucent, while the polycarbonate housing of the Speed Silver allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects. Despite these differences, both switches offer a noticeable and enjoyable sound experience, albeit with different characteristics.
Moving to the bottom housings, the Kiwi's UHWMPE material continues to provide a bright sound signature with resonant clacks. On the other hand, the Speed Silver features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference is due to nylon being a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While both housings contribute to the overall sound of the switch, the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel during typing.
When comparing the two switches, it is evident that the top and bottom housings play distinct roles in shaping the sound and feel of each switch. While the materials differ, both the UHWMPE top housing of the Kiwi and the polycarbonate top housing of the Speed Silver offer resonant sound profiles with their own unique characteristics. Similarly, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Kiwi and the nylon bottom housing of the Speed Silver contribute to the overall sound experience, with the former providing a brighter sound and the latter delivering a deeper and fuller sound. Therefore, whether you choose the TKC Kiwi or the TTC Speed Silver, you can expect an enjoyable typing experience with noticeable differences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Kiwi has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Speed Silver's 45 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light touch, making them suitable for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming use. While the Kiwi has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, the Speed Silver has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the Kiwi offers a more substantial typing experience, as it requires a slightly stronger push to fully depress the key compared to the Speed Silver. However, if a lighter bottom out force is preferred, the Speed Silver would be a better choice. Overall, the TKC Kiwi is slightly heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out force, while the TTC Speed Silver offers a slightly lighter touch for those who prefer it.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, it is evident that they have different distances. The Kiwi has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Speed Silver has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Kiwi offers a slightly deeper travel compared to the Speed Silver. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Kiwi falls within the realm of the traditional travel distance, while the 3.4 mm travel distance of the Speed Silver leans towards the shallower end. Gamers, who value faster response times, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Speed Silver. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial depth to their key presses might find the 4 mm travel distance of the Kiwi more to their liking. Overall, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
The TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00 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
The TKC Kiwi tactile switch is known for delivering a satisfyingly snappy sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. While it is described as having a low-pitched sound, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes. Similarly, the sound produced by the Speed Silver switch can be affected by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
As for the feel, the TKC Kiwi switch offers a stepped and accented tactile experience. The stepped feeling refers to a switch that has two stages, providing some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. This gives a mild tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. The accented quality further emphasizes the medium-level tactility of this switch. Additionally, the Kiwi switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver switch offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable for most users. It also has a polished finish, ensuring smooth key movement and reduced friction during typing.
In conclusion, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and TTC Speed Silver linear switch have different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Kiwi switch delivers a low-pitched sound and provides a stepped and accented tactile experience. It also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Speed Silver switch produces a neutral sound and offers a mild typing experience. Both switches can provide a satisfactory typing experience, with the Kiwi switch emphasizing a medium-strong bump and the Speed Silver switch prioritizing fast and precise actuation. However, it is important to note that individual preferences, along with factors such as keyboard board and keycaps, can also impact the subjective qualities of these switches.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch that enhances your typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, the TKC Kiwi switch is the way to go. These switches provide a satisfyingly snappy sound profile and are lightly factory lubed for a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. The Kiwi switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which gives it a medium-heavy feel. In terms of sound, the Kiwi switch has a low-pitched and neutral profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to other switches. The Kiwi switch is also described as having a stepped, accented, and polished feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel while enjoying reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you value a fast and precise typing experience, the TTC Speed Silver switch is the ideal choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, the Speed Silver switch falls into the medium-light category. These linear switches offer a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile. With a reduced travel distance, the Speed Silver switch allows for quick and effortless actuation.
In terms of sound, the Speed Silver switch has a neutral profile, similar to the Kiwi switch. This makes it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist, or if you plan to use these switches at home or work. The Speed Silver switch is also described as having a mild and polished feel, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, choosing between the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch depends on your personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a tactile switch with a medium to medium-strong bump and a heavier feel, the Kiwi switch is the perfect fit. If you desire a fast and precise typing experience with a lighter feel, the Speed Silver switch is the way to go. Consider the sound and feel characteristics mentioned above to make an informed decision and find the switch that suits you best.
Mentioned in this article
