KTT Darling vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, the KTT Darling and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present two compelling options, each boasting unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The KTT Darling is celebrated for its chewy and substantial feel, offering a pronounced bounciness that not only enhances the typing experience but also provides a satisfying auditory feedback with its high-pitched, clacky sound. This makes it ideal for those who appreciate a lively and responsive feel under their fingers. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a medium-weight all-POM switch that combines exceptional smoothness with a thocky sound profile, delivering a more subdued yet equally enjoyable experience. This switch is perfect for users who prioritize a silken typing sensation without sacrificing quality. While the KTT Darling excites with its pronounced bounce and resonance, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a balanced, velvety touch. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches characterize each product distinctly, despite both being crafted from modern composite materials. The KTT Darling employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, which translates into a crisp and higher-pitched sound profile. This acoustic property is particularly beneficial when utilizing RGB lighting, as the material's clarity enhances the visibility of light effects. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is constructed from POM, a material that produces a deeper, more muted sound. The unique auditory experience created by POM lends the Sea Salt Smoothie its own aesthetic appeal, allowing for a sound profile that may be more pleasant to users who prefer a softer auditory feedback.
When we turn to the bottom housings, a different narrative emerges. The KTT Darling incorporates nylon, a material that is renowned for its softness, delivering a sound that is deeper and fuller. This is significant because the nylon housing absorbs sound waves, resulting in a rounder auditory experience. The Sea Salt Smoothie, on the other hand, also features a POM bottom housing, which contributes to its already deeper sound profile. Though both switches have a POM bottom housing, the Darling's nylon base creates a contrast in sound, providing a fuller depth that the Sea Salt Smoothie might not achieve, even with any inherent muting properties of POM.
In essence, while the KTT Darling and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie feature differing materials in their top housings, they both benefit from a POM bottom housing for an intricate blend of auditory effects. The KTT Darling's polycarbonate top leverages sharpness and clarity, whereas its nylon bottom enriches the sound with depth. On the flip side, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM construction likely provides consistency across both top and bottom housings, resulting in a cohesive, muted experience. Users can expect differences in auditory feedback and tactile sensations based on these material choices, making each switch uniquely suited to varying preferences in typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The KTT Darling features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light and making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams; however, its bottom out force remains unspecified, which makes direct comparisons at that level challenging. With the Darling being the lighter option overall, it caters well to those looking for comfort over long periods. Conversely, users who prefer a more substantial feel may lean toward the Sea Salt Smoothie, especially if its bottom out force aligns with that preference upon further investigation.
Travel distance
When comparing the KTT Darling linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find a distinct difference in their travel distances. The KTT Darling has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie measures 3.7 mm. This means that the Darling switch is the shorter option, offering a snappier response that gamers might appreciate for faster input. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its longer travel distance, provides a more pronounced feedback that some users might prefer for a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, if you are aiming for quicker response times, the KTT Darling would be the better choice, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie would cater to those who enjoy a deeper keypress.
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 Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 acoustics of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that they offer distinct sound profiles. The Darling produces a clacky and resonant sound, characterized by a high-pitched and crisp auditory experience that engages the user with every key press. This pronounced noise can add a certain level of satisfaction and excitement to typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie features a thocky sound profile, which is generally softer and more muted, providing a more subdued auditory feedback. While the exact sound qualities of the Sea Salt Smoothie are not fully detailed, the contrasts between the clicky resonance of the Darling and the smoother, thicker sound of the Smoothie create different atmospheres for the typist.
In terms of feel, the KTT Darling switch excels with its bouncy and springy characteristics, offering a lively feedback that many users find satisfying. This sensation allows for a sense of responsiveness, making it enjoyable to type on and promoting a quicker touch. In contrast, the description of the feel of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is not provided; thus, it is unclear how its tactile feedback compares directly. However, if it is similarly designed for smoothness as indicated by its name, it may also provide a pleasant typing experience, potentially aiming for a different type of satisfaction that appeals to other users.
Overall, the KTT Darling and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Darling is ideal for those who appreciate a pronounced auditory feedback and a bouncy typing sensation, while the Smoothie seems to lean towards a smoother typing experience with a softer sound profile. While each switch presents a unique experience, they can cater to diverse typing styles, allowing users to personalize their keyboard according to their acoustic and tactile preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your choice between the KTT Darling and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie should be guided by your personal preferences in typing experience and sound profile. If you gravitate towards a typing experience that offers a chewy, substantial feel with pronounced bounciness, the KTT Darling is your go-to. Its 53-gram bottom-out force provides a medium-light weight that feels engaging, while its resonant, high-pitched sound adds an exciting auditory dimension that some find particularly satisfying. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother keystroke with a more muted acoustic profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie may suit you better. Although the exact bottom-out force remains unspecified, it is known for its overall smoothness and the thocky sound profile that many users appreciate. Ultimately, the right choice depends on whether you prioritize a lively, engaging typing experience or a more subdued, seamless feel in your mechanical keyboard.
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