Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) vs. KTT Laurel
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the KTT Laurel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the KTT Laurel. The Baby Raccoon is known for its refreshingly crisp type feel and bright sound signature, thanks to its lengthened switch stems. These linear switches are often described as "marbley," offering a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Laurel is a medium-light linear switch that strikes the perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort. With its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, it provides a satisfying typing experience. While the Baby Raccoon is characterized by a high-pitched and bouncy feel, the Laurel offers a subtly low-pitched sound profile. Both switches have their own advantages, so let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities and discover the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm long spring
Spring
22m spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Raccoon and the KTT Laurel have contrasting materials for their top housing. The Baby Raccoon uses polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is due to its stiffness, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding an aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, the Laurel features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite their differences, both materials contribute to creating unique sound profiles, albeit in different ways.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Baby Raccoon utilizes nylon, while the Laurel employs POM. The nylon bottom housing in the Baby Raccoon generates a deeper and fuller sound. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Conversely, the POM bottom housing in the Laurel also produces a deep sound but is relatively more muted. Therefore, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their respective bottom housing materials, albeit with slight differences in tonal qualities.
While the top and bottom housing materials differ for these switches, their impact on the overall sound and feel of the switches is notable. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing material will be more prominent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, despite the variations in their housing materials, both the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the KTT Laurel provide users with a unique and enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Baby Raccoon has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams, compared to the Laurel's lighter force of 43 grams. This means that the Baby Raccoon requires a stronger push to trigger a keystroke, while the Laurel is more sensitive and requires a lighter touch.
In terms of bottom out force, the Baby Raccoon is again slightly heavier, with a force of 63 grams compared to the Laurel's 50 grams. This means that when typing on the Baby Raccoon, there will be a more substantial feeling when bottoming out the keys, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Laurel's lighter bottom out force may be more appealing to individuals who prefer a lighter overall typing experience.
It is worth noting that while the Baby Raccoon is heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, and the Laurel is lighter in comparison, both switches provide a medium to light range of force. As a result, users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience, with the main difference lying in the specific force required and the perceived weight of the keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference, with some favoring the Baby Raccoon for a stronger typing feel, while others may find the Laurel's lighter touch more suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Baby Raccoon has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Laurel has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when pressing down on a key, the shorter travel distance of the Laurel may be the better choice. However, for those who prefer a deeper, more substantial feel, the Baby Raccoon with its slightly longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and priorities.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Laurel has an MSRP of $4.42 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Laurel for $3.95.
The Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) comes in at $5.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Baby Raccoon is known for its bright and resonant profile. Typing on these switches produces a higher-pitched and clean sound experience that can be compared to tapping on a solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. On the other hand, the KTT Laurel offers a subtly low-pitched sound profile. This means that the Laurel switch produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Baby Raccoon is often described as creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished. These switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The keys have a lively feel and provide spring-like feedback, giving a sense of rebound when pressed. Additionally, the Baby Raccoon switch offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive typing sensation, enhanced by the switch's polished finish and reduced friction. On the other hand, the KTT Laurel is known for its snappy feel. These switches are super responsive, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs that bring a greater sense of liveliness to the typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Baby Raccoon switch stands out with its bright and resonant sound profile, delivering a clean and sharp auditory experience. It also offers a creamy and polished feel, characterized by smooth and refined typing with reduced friction. On the other hand, the Laurel switch takes pride in its subtly low-pitched sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Its snappy feel, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs, adds extra responsiveness to each keystroke. While these switches differ in their qualities, both options can offer a satisfying typing experience. By considering individual preferences and other factors like board construction and keycaps, newcomers can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you prioritize a brighter, higher-pitched sound profile and a crisp typing experience, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its resonant, marbly, and high-pitched characteristics, it offers an immersive auditory experience and clean sound. Additionally, if you enjoy a creamy, bouncy, invigorating, or polished feel while typing, the Baby Raccoon switch can provide a smooth, buttery, and gliding sensation, as well as a spring-like feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a subtly low-pitched sound profile and a snappy, super responsive feel, the KTT Laurel linear switch would be a great fit. Its low-pitched sound offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the snappy characteristic ensures a highly reactive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Baby Raccoon and KTT Laurel switches depends on your preferences for sound and feel, allowing you to personalize your keyboard experience.
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