KTT Darling vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Darling and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both offer unique typing experiences. The Darling, a linear switch, provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. This switch also delivers a resonant, high-pitched sound upon bottoming out, offering a blend of tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon, also a linear switch, boasts a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Darling is characterized as 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', and 'Resonant', the Sea Salt Lemon is described as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Mild'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that can cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Darling and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon share similar characteristics, as both feature polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to use RGB lighting. Both switches offer a visually appealing and sonically satisfying experience with their polycarbonate top housings.
However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housing materials. The Darling utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience of deep and full sound quality.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in both the KTT Darling and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon creates a unique typing experience. While the polycarbonate top housing contributes to the sound when releasing a key, the nylon bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. By incorporating different housing materials for the top and bottom of the switch, each KTT switch offers a blend of characteristics that cater to both sound and tactile preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Darling linear switch to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both have the same actuation force of 45 grams and bottom out force of 53 grams, making them ideal for those who prefer a medium-light typing experience. The actuation and bottom out forces being equal mean that users can expect similar results in terms of how each switch feels while typing. In general, a lighter weight is favored by those looking for extended typing sessions, such as for work or gaming, while a heavier weight can provide a more substantial typing experience. In this case, both switches offer a balance between ease of use and tactile feedback, making them versatile options for a variety of users.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Darling linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Darling. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Darling being on the shallower end and the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly longer, the difference in travel distance may impact the typing experience for some users. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Darling with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more tactile and deep typing experience may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
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
When comparing the sound characteristics of the KTT Darling and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches, the Darling is known for its clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, providing a sharp and engaging auditory experience upon typing. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lower-pitched and neutral sound that is more mellow and approachable to most users. As a result, the Darling switch will give a more crisp and bright sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch will have a more bass-heavy and moderate tone.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the KTT Darling is praised for its bouncy sensation, offering a lively and elastic feedback when typing. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is described as mild, providing a gentle and subtle typing experience that falls within a safe and middle-ground zone for most users. Therefore, the Darling switch will offer a more dynamic and rebounding feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch will be smoother and more gentle to type on.
In conclusion, the KTT Darling and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Darling switch provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a bouncy and resonant sound, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a smooth and buttery typing experience with a lower-pitched and neutral sound. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences, and choosing between them will depend on whether the user prefers a more dynamic and responsive typing experience or a smoother and more mellow one.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a typing sensation that is chewy, substantial, and bouncy, with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, the KTT Darling switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a buttery smooth typing experience with a progressive spring design and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, then the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch would be a great option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for the feel and sound of the switch, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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