Durock Daybreak vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Daybreak and KTT Sea Salt Lemon mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Daybreak is known for its solid 67g weight, providing a weightier typing experience suited for those who prefer a more substantial touch. Additionally, its quiet operation makes it ideal for work environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out for its progressive spring and dry-lube design, delivering a smooth and buttery typing feel. While the Daybreak is categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', 'Low-pitched', the Sea Salt Lemon is classified as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild'. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different preferences; 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon are quite similar in terms of their polycarbonate top housings. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, making both the Daybreak and the Sea Salt Lemon ideal choices for such setups.
However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Daybreak features a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is because nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. Therefore, while both switches have different bottom housing materials, the end result is likely to be comparable in terms of typing experience.
In terms of how the housing materials impact the overall typing experience, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. This means that the characteristics of the bottom housing material will be more noticeable when typing, as it directly affects the overall sound and feel of the switch during key presses. Both the Daybreak and the Sea Salt Lemon showcase the importance of selecting the right housing materials to achieve specific sound profiles and tactile feedback desired by keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Durock Daybreak linear switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch, while the actuation force is not specified. In comparison, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a lower bottom out force of 53 grams, which is considered medium-light, and an actuation force of 45 grams. The Daybreak switch offers a heavier typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a lighter touch with its lower bottom out force and actuation force. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of typing feel, with the Daybreak being on the heavier side and the Sea Salt Lemon being lighter. Depending on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience, they can choose between the two switches accordingly.
Travel distance
The Durock Daybreak linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, slightly shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly longer. Gamers who prefer faster response times may lean towards the Daybreak due to its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more pronounced keypress may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
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 it comes to sound, the Durock Daybreak linear switch offers a muted and low-pitched typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter and bass-heavy sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch also provides a low-pitched sound but adds a touch of neutrality, making it suitable for various settings and users. Both switches will deliver a pleasant typing sound, with the Daybreak being slightly quieter due to its muted characteristic. However, the Sea Salt Lemon's neutral sound profile makes it versatile for different environments.
In terms of feel, the Durock Daybreak linear switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a mild typing experience, which is gentle and approachable to most users. While the Daybreak switch focuses on a sleek and polished feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switch emphasizes a comfortable and middle-ground typing sensation. Both switches will offer a pleasant feel, with the Daybreak feeling slightly smoother due to its polished characteristic.
Overall, both the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer excellent qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Daybreak provides a heavier typing experience with a quieter sound and a polished feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon delivers a smooth typing experience with a touch of neutrality and a mild feel. Depending on personal preferences, both switches are reliable options that will provide satisfying results for newcomers looking for linear switches with different subjective qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a typist who prefers a heavier touch and values a quieter typing experience, the Durock Daybreak linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smoother, lighter touch and want a switch that offers a more gentle typing experience, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch would be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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