HMX Deep Navy vs. KTT Laurel
An in-depth look at the HMX Deep Navy and the KTT Laurel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing options that cater to their tactile preferences and typing experience. The HMX Deep Navy stands out with its full nylon construction, offering a rich and sharp sound profile that immerses users in an auditory delight. The silky smooth keystrokes produced by its Ly stem add an exceptional level of comfort, making it ideal for those who appreciate a satisfying typing rhythm. In contrast, the KTT Laurel provides a different experience, boasting a medium-light feel with its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design that strikes a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort. With a notably low-pitched sound profile and a snappy action, the Laurel appeals to users seeking a dynamic yet subtle typing experience. Both switches have their distinctive advantages, tailored to different preferences in sound and tactile feedback. 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
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
22m spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the KTT Laurel, one notable distinction arises from their choice of plastics. The Deep Navy utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, while the KTT Laurel opts for POM (Polyoxymethylene) for both components. Nylon is a classic material known for its softer and more absorbent qualities, which contribute to a fuller, deeper sound profile. In contrast, POM, while still producing a muted sound, lends a unique quality that differentiates the auditory experience from that of nylon. This highlights how the choice of housing material can affect the overall sound characteristics of each switch.
Both switch types, however, aim for a similar goal: to deliver a rich, immersive typing experience. The nylon in the Deep Navy, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a duller and rounder acoustics profile. Conversely, while the KTT Laurel's POM creates a unique yet similar auditory effect characterized as muted, it's the inherent properties of each material that create nuanced differences. The way each housing contributes to the sound during a key press—particularly in terms of depth and reverberation—gives each switch a distinct personality despite both striving for a deeper sound experience.
Additionally, the influence of the switch housing materials extends to the feel and sound upon actuation and release. For both the Deep Navy and KTT Laurel, the bottom housing significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound profile upon release. With both housing materials contributing differently to these aspects, the experiences may vary yet remain close in delivering a pleasing sound and tactile feedback. Thus, regardless of the material differences, users can expect a satisfactory performance from both switches, particularly if they appreciate deeper sound profiles in their typing endeavors.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch, both exhibit light characteristics, but they do differ slightly in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Deep Navy requires an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, whereas the Laurel has slightly higher forces with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that while both switches offer a relatively light typing experience suitable for extended use, the Deep Navy requires less force to actuate and bottom out than the Laurel. Consequently, users who prefer a lighter touch and quicker keystrokes may gravitate toward the HMX Deep Navy, making it a more suitable choice for lengthy typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, those who favor a more substantial feel may appreciate the KTT Laurel, which provides a heavier push. Overall, despite their light categorizations, the switches cater to slightly different preferences in typing force and feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch, the Deep Navy measures 3.6 mm while the Laurel is slightly shorter at 3.5 mm. This distinction means that if you opt for the Deep Navy, you'll experience a bit more depth in each keystroke compared to the Laurel. The shorter travel distance of the Laurel may provide snappier response times, making it an appealing choice for gamers who favor swift key actuations. Conversely, if you prefer a more substantial feel while typing, the slightly longer travel distance of the Deep Navy may be more satisfying, as it affords a bit more travel before the key fully bottoms out. Overall, while both switches showcase a modern trend of shorter travel distances, the Deep Navy clearly stands out as the option with the longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Deep Navy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Deep Navy for $2.79.
The KTT Laurel has an MSRP of $4.42 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Laurel for $3.95.
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 focusing on sound, the HMX Deep Navy switch offers a rich and sharp profile, enhanced by its full nylon construction. This material is known to provide a certain clarity that can make keystrokes pop. In contrast, the KTT Laurel switch features a subtly low-pitched sound, resulting in a mellower tone that can be perceived as more laid-back. This lower pitch suggests that the Laurel might produce a sound that feels more subdued and less intrusive, making it ideal for quieter environments. Ultimately, if you choose between these two switches, you'll find the Deep Navy to deliver a pronounced auditory experience, while the Laurel opts for a more rounded and soft sound.
Regarding the feel, the Deep Navy switch is recognized for its exquisite silky smoothness, thanks to the Ly stem design. This characteristic provides a seamless transition during typing, making each keystroke nearly effortless. Meanwhile, the KTT Laurel switch is characterized by its snappy responsiveness attributed to its medium-light weight and longer pole design. This responsiveness often translates into a lively typing experience, where each keypress feels pronounced and energetic. Both switches cater to slightly different preferences—Deep Navy for those who love smoothness, and Laurel for those who appreciate a bit more feedback and liveliness in their keystrokes.
In conclusion, the HMX Deep Navy and KTT Laurel switches provide unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Deep Navy excels with its bright, sharp acoustics and silky smooth feel, while the Laurel offers a low-pitched sound profile paired with a snappy typing experience. Choosing between them will depend on whether you prioritize auditory clarity and smoothness or prefer a more subdued sound with a lively feel. Regardless of which switch you opt for, both will deliver distinct and fulfilling typing experiences, ensuring you find a mechanical switch that suits your style.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Deep Navy and the KTT Laurel linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you seek a light switch with an immersive auditory experience, the Deep Navy is an excellent choice. Its 45-gram actuation force, coupled with a rich sound profile produced by its nylon construction, provides a smooth typing experience that many users find satisfying, especially for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer key feel with enhanced responsiveness, the KTT Laurel is worth considering. With a 50-gram bottom-out force and a design that prioritizes snappiness, the Laurel excels in responsiveness while maintaining a comfortable typing experience. Its low-pitched sound profile adds a gentle auditory feedback, making it suitable for users who want a quieter yet tactile feel. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you lean towards a more audible and smooth experience with the Deep Navy or a balanced, responsive feel with the KTT Laurel.
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