C3 Tangerine vs NovelKeys Cream
The C3 Tangerine and the NovelKeys Cream are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the NovelKeys Cream is lighter to actuate (55g versus 62g); travel is 3.8 mm on the C3 Tangerine and 4 mm on the NovelKeys Cream; stock they sound different: deep thocky linear versus deep, poppy clack when broken in.
- Lubed from the factoryC3 Tangerineusable out of the box without lubing
Choose the C3 Tangerine if
- you want a switch popular for thocky linear builds.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (62g).
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Choose the NovelKeys Cream if
- you want a switch popular for lubing projects.
- you want a switch popular for thocky builds.
- you want a lighter keystroke (55g).
C3 Tangerine vs NovelKeys Cream, spec by spec
| C3 Tangerine | NovelKeys Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 62g | 55g |
| Bottom-out force | 67g | 70g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.8 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | PC | POM |
| Bottom housing | nylon | POM |
| Spring | 62g or 67g | n/a |
| Factory lube | light (stronger spec) | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.65 | $0.65 |
| Sound profile | deep thocky linear | deep, poppy clack when broken in |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
90% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the C3 Tangerine; 70% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the NovelKeys Cream.
49% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the C3 Tangerine; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the NovelKeys Cream.
87% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the C3 Tangerine; 87% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the NovelKeys Cream.
Where to buy the C3 Tangerine
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the NovelKeys Cream
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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