Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon stand out as compelling options, each catering to different preferences and typing experiences. The Chiikawa - 45g, with its light 45g actuation force, is celebrated for its bright sound profile and crisp high-pitched feedback, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a responsive and audible typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a smoother, more subdued linear feel, characterized by its progressive spring and dry-lube design, which contributes to a delightful buttery typing experience. While both switches fall under the linear category, they cater to distinct tastes: the Chiikawa for those seeking a lively auditory experience and quick actuation, and the Sea Salt Lemon for users who favor a gentle and smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
Both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon feature a polycarbonate top housing, which significantly influences their acoustic performance. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. This is attributed to the material's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly advantageous for RGB lighting setups, allowing for vibrant visual elements to shine through. Despite the differences in branding and specific designs, users can expect a similar sound quality due to the shared attributes of the polycarbonate material.
In contrast, the bottom housing of both switches is comprised of nylon, which introduces a distinct sound characteristic that differs from the polycarbonate top. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller audio experience when typing. This material helps to produce a rounder sound profile, contrasting with the sharper notes generated by the polycarbonate top. The combination of a polycarbonate top with a nylon bottom in both switches means that they each provide a well-rounded auditory output. However, the overall sound profiles are a blend of the clear and crisp highs from the polycarbonate and the rich, full lows contributed by the nylon.
The interaction between the top and bottom housing materials in both the Chiikawa - 45g and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon means that users can experience a comprehensive and balanced acoustic performance. When a key is pressed, the bottom housing's softer nylon contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, resulting in a muted yet satisfying experience. Conversely, releasing the key allows the properties of the polycarbonate top housing to shine through, delivering that bright and resonant finish. Thus, while both switches utilize different materials for their housings, their combined properties lead to a remarkably nuanced typing experience, making them effectively similar in acoustic results despite differing brand names.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both switches exhibit the same actuation force of 45 grams, allowing for a similarly light typing experience that is ideal for extended use, such as typing at work or during long gaming sessions. However, they differ slightly in terms of their bottom out forces; the Chiikawa has a bottom out force of 51 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon features a slightly heavier bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that while both switches offer a good amount of responsiveness at the actuation point, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more substantial feel when fully pressed down, catering to users who prefer a firmer typing experience. Overall, the Chiikawa is the lighter of the two switches, making it preferable for those who value a low effort keystroke, while the Sea Salt Lemon's slightly heavier bottom out may appeal to users desiring a more robust tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Chiikawa switch the shorter option, offering a more responsive feel that can be advantageous for gamers seeking faster response times. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon, with its greater travel distance, may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced and hearty typing experience. While both switches provide a distinct feel, the difference in their travel distances reflects varying preferences for tactile feedback: the Chiikawa aims for quickness, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon leans towards a more traditional and potentially satisfying depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 45g for $3.29.
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 the realm of sound, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch stands out with its bright sound profile, creating a crisp, high-pitched auditory experience that adds a lively character to your typing. This quality makes it particularly engaging for those who appreciate the crispness and clarity in each keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch presents a more low-pitched sound, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is more neutral in nature. This makes it less jarring and more versatile, suitable for various environments from home to office. The combination of these sound characteristics allows users of both switches to find enjoyment, albeit in different ways that cater to personal taste.
When it comes to feel, the Chiikawa - 45g is noted for its very light actuation force, which translates to a notably responsive typing experience. This makes the switch ideal for rapid typists or gamers who rely on quick interactions. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a mild typing experience, characterized by its smoothness thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. This milder feel might appeal to those who favor comfort and a gentle typing experience, drawing in both beginners and seasoned users alike. While both switches have different actuation pressures and responsive qualities, they both excel at creating a satisfying typing experience, albeit through different approaches.
In summary, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer distinct but rewarding experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Chiikawa’s bright sound and light actuation make it a favorite for those who enjoy a more vibrant typing experience, while the Sea Salt Lemon’s low-pitched tone and buttery smoothness cater to those who prefer a balanced, approachable feel. Depending on your preferences, both options will deliver satisfying outcomes, yet they invite different styles of interaction with the keyboard.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches, it’s essential to consider your personal typing style and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you prefer a lighter actuation force paired with a bright, high-pitched sound that delivers a snappy response, the Chiikawa - 45g is an excellent choice. Its more pronounced auditory feedback can enhance the enjoyment of typing, especially for those who appreciate an engaging sound profile. Alternatively, if you seek a smoother and more subtle typing experience with a low-pitched, mellow sound, the Sea Salt Lemon would likely be the better option. Its progressive spring and buttery smooth action make it an ideal choice for longer typing sessions, especially in quieter settings like an office, where a moderate sound profile can be more conducive. Ultimately, your decision should align with whether you value a crisp, responsive feel or a soothing, smooth experience, thus ensuring that your mechanical keyboard matches your unique preferences.
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