Akko Fairy vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy 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 Akko Fairy and KTT Sea Salt Lemon both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Fairy switches from Akko are praised for their factory-applied lubrication that provides a smooth typing experience, making them an excellent choice for office settings. With a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, they are ideal for extended use without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches from KTT boast a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to their progressive spring and dry-lube design. While categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Subtle', the Akko Fairy switches offer a refined and quiet typing experience suitable for professional tasks. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon switches are categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', providing a different feel that may appeal to those who value smoothness and simplicity. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, we can see that the Fairy uses a nylon top and bottom housing, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing. The nylon top housing in the Fairy creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, while the polycarbonate top housing in the Sea Salt Lemon produces a sharper and crisper sound profile with its relatively stiffer plastic. Both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience, but the sound and feel may differ slightly due to the material differences in their top housings.
While the Fairy and the Sea Salt Lemon both feature nylon bottom housings, their top housings vary with the Fairy using nylon and the Sea Salt Lemon utilizing polycarbonate. These differences in material result in unique sound profiles for each switch, with the Fairy offering a duller and rounder sound due to its softer nylon top, while the Sea Salt Lemon provides a clearer and more resonant sound with its relatively stiffer polycarbonate top. Despite the differences in top housing materials, both switches are likely to deliver a comfortable typing experience, with the nylon bottom housings contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both.
Overall, the contrasting housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provide users with different sound profiles and typing experiences. The Fairy's nylon top and bottom housings elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon's combination of polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings create a sharper and crisper sound. Despite these differences, both switches are likely to offer a pleasant typing experience, with the bottom housing material impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing material influencing the sound when releasing a key. Users may choose between the two switches based on their preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch both offer a medium actuation force, with the Fairy requiring 50 grams and the Sea Salt Lemon requiring 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Fairy is heavier at 60 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams, making the Sea Salt Lemon a slightly lighter option overall. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but the Fairy offers a bit more resistance for those who prefer a stronger push feel. For users who enjoy a lighter touch, the Sea Salt Lemon would be the better choice. Ultimately, the weight of the actuation and bottom out forces can impact typing speed and comfort levels, so it's important to choose the switch that aligns with your preferences for extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Fairy offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a more traditional and deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness and key feel. Despite their differences in travel distance, both switches offer high-quality performance in typing and gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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 Akko Fairy linear switch offers a muted and neutral experience, perfect for maintaining a quiet and professional environment. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, emphasizing a mellow tone. Both switches cater to those looking for a moderate sound level, suitable for various settings, whether in the office or at home. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, both the Akko Fairy and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer a mild typing experience, ensuring a gentle and approachable feel for users. The Fairy switch is described as polished and subtle, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance. Similarly, the Sea Salt Lemon switch falls in the mild category, offering a comfortable typing feel without any pronounced characteristics. For those who prefer a consistent and easy-to-use linear switch, both options present a reliable choice for everyday typing tasks.
In conclusion, the Akko Fairy linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch share similarities in their mild typing feel and moderate sound profile, making them suitable choices for a wide range of users. Whether you prioritize a polished and subtle typing experience with the Fairy switch or prefer the low-pitched and buttery smooth feel of the Sea Salt Lemon switch, both options promise a comfortable and satisfying typing journey. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your typing setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, you should consider the type of environment you'll be using them in and your personal typing preferences. If you value a smooth typing experience with medium resistance and minimal sound for office settings, the Akko Fairy linear switch would be a great choice due to its refined lubrication and medium weight. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a slightly lighter bottom out force and a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer different advantages depending on your specific needs and preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and environment.
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