SP-Star Ayara vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Ayara and the Jerrzi Salt Ice both offer unique characteristics that cater to different types of users. The Ayara is a linear switch best known for its medium heft, providing a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Salt Ice is also a linear switch that stands out with its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, complemented by a light touch and vibrant feedback. While the Ayara is categorized as neutral, high-pitched, and polished, the Salt Ice does not have specific categories listed. When deciding between these two switches, users looking for a sturdy yet satisfying typing experience may lean towards the Ayara, while those seeking an energetic and responsive feel may prefer the Salt Ice. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Jerrzi Salt Ice, one can see significant differences in their sound profiles. The Ayara's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Salt Ice's polycarbonate top and bottom housing produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of polycarbonate's stiffness, leading to a clear and resonant sound. While the Ayara's nylon housing is more likely to create a softer typing experience, the Salt Ice's polycarbonate housing is geared towards a more precise and defined sound output.
Despite their differences, the SP-Star Ayara and the Jerrzi Salt Ice share similarities in their housing materials. Both switches utilize clear materials for their housings, with the Ayara featuring clear nylon and the Salt Ice using clear polycarbonate. This transparency allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. Additionally, both materials offer unique sound profiles that are influenced by their inherent characteristics, with nylon providing a deeper and fuller sound, while polycarbonate delivers a crisper and sharper sound. These similarities ensure that users of both switches can expect a certain level of performance and quality in their typing experience.
In terms of functionality, the housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Jerrzi Salt Ice play a crucial role in determining the sound output of each switch. The qualities of each material, whether it be the softer nature of nylon or the stiffness of polycarbonate, impact how the switch sounds when pressed and released. The bottom housing material affects the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing material has more influence on the sound when a key is released. By understanding the unique characteristics of each housing material, users can choose a switch that best suits their typing preferences and desired sound profile.
Weight
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Ayara has an actuation force of None grams, meaning it requires no specific force to trigger a keystroke, while the Salt Ice has an actuation force of 45 grams. On the other hand, the Ayara has a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a medium resistance when pressing all the way down, whereas the bottom out force of the Salt Ice is unavailable. In terms of weight, the Ayara is on the heavier side with its 62-gram bottom out force, offering a more substantial typing experience, while the Salt Ice, with its 45-gram actuation force, is lighter and may be preferred by those looking for an easier typing experience for longer periods of time. Despite their differences, users can expect similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces if they prefer switches with comparable characteristics.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Ayara switch is the longer of the two, offering a slightly deeper key press experience compared to the Salt Ice switch. This means that if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth when typing or gaming, the Ayara might be the better option for you. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switch provides a slightly shorter travel distance, which can be more favorable for those looking for a quicker response time. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Ayara being on the longer side and the Salt Ice being on the shorter side, offering different experiences to cater to different preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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
When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which offers a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level. This makes it suitable for a wide range of users, whether they are beginners or advanced typists. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is described as exceptionally bright and clacky, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. If you prefer a more energetic and vibrant sound profile, the Salt Ice may be a better choice for you.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ayara is known for its polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. This is achieved either through the materials used or factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, information about the feel of the Salt Ice switch is currently unavailable.
Considering all the available information, if you enjoy a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a neutral sound profile, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch would be a solid choice. However, if you prefer a more bright and clacky sound profile along with a light touch, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch may be more appealing to you. It is important to note that individual preferences play a significant role in choosing the right switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a hearty typing experience with a medium bottom-out force and a soft bottom-out feel, along with a clacky sound profile, the Ayara switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a bright and clacky switch with a light touch and vibrant feedback, the Salt Ice switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are seeking. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.
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