Durock Blue Lotus vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Blue Lotus is known for its striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel of 3.7mm, these switches provide a marked tactile feel, making them ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the detachable light column adds a vibrant, glowy RGB illumination, combining performance with captivating visual appeal. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon represents a prime example of a linear switch. Thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, these switches provide a buttery smooth typing experience. Their low-pitched, neutral sound profile adds to the overall satisfaction of using these switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon have notable differences in their housing materials. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, giving it a unique and premium feel. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both housing materials offer different sound characteristics, they both have the advantage of being compatible with RGB lighting due to their translucency.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Blue Lotus and the Sea Salt Lemon employ nylon as their material of choice. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastic materials. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Both switches benefit from this quality, providing a more immersive typing experience.
It's important to note that when the top and bottom housings differ, their unique qualities are distributed between the bottom-out sound and feel, as well as the sound when releasing a key. The bottom housing of the switch, such as the nylon material used in both the Blue Lotus and the Sea Salt Lemon, influences the impact and sound when bottoming out a key. On the other hand, the top housing, like the modified PC and UPE blend of the Blue Lotus or the polycarbonate of the Sea Salt Lemon, plays a significant role in the sound produced when a key is released.
Overall, while the Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon have distinct housing materials, they both offer excellent sound profiles. The Blue Lotus focuses on a premium feel with its modified PC and UPE blend top housing, while the Sea Salt Lemon emphasizes a crisper sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing. However, both switches share the benefits of nylon bottom housings, providing a deeper and fuller sound experience. So, although different in certain aspects, these switches ultimately deliver similar results in terms of sound quality and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are clear differences to be noted. The Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 45 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Additionally, the Blue Lotus has a bottom out force of 65 grams, adding to the substantial typing experience it offers. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a corresponding bottom out force of 53 grams, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter switch. Both switches fall within the medium category in terms of actuation force, with the Blue Lotus being slightly heavier and the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly lighter. Regardless of the force difference, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will be able to attain their desired results.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is clear that they have different distances. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon being on the higher end, the Blue Lotus offers a slightly shorter travel distance. This shorter distance may be preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times, as shorter travel distances are known to enhance responsiveness. On the other hand, individuals who appreciate a more substantial key press experience may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its longer travel distance. In either case, both switches offer distinct advantages, so the choice ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Blue Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Lotus for $4.57.
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 Durock Blue Lotus switches offer a bassy sound profile during key presses. This means that the sound produced is deeper and richer, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches have a low-pitched sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow in tone. Additionally, the Sea Salt Lemon switches are also described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound level suitable for most users. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the type of keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches provide an accented tactile experience. They have a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, making them suitable for those who prefer a prominent amount of tactile feedback. These switches are also described as snappy, meaning they are super responsive, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs. The typing experience with the Blue Lotus switches feels more alive and dynamic. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer a mild typing experience. They provide a gentle and approachable feel with a more subtle tactile response. These switches are designed for users who prefer a more comfortable and less pronounced typing experience.
Considering all the available information, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switches and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer different subjective qualities. The Blue Lotus switches provide a marked tactile feel with a snappy and accented keystroke, delivering a vibrant typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, characterized by a mild and gentle feel. These switches provide a more neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users. While both switches have distinct characteristics, it is important to consider personal preferences when choosing between them. Whether you prefer a more tactile and responsive typing experience or a smoother and more mild feel, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are a great choice. With a slightly reduced travel and a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches deliver a snappy and intense typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches are the way to go. With a bottom out force of 53 grams and a progressive spring, these linear switches provide a gentle and mellow sound and feel. Ultimately, the decision between the Blue Lotus and Sea Salt Lemon switches boils down to your preference for tactile feedback and typing experience.
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