TTC Gold Red vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options for a smooth typing experience are the TTC Gold Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon. Both of these switches offer a buttery smooth feel while typing, but they have their own unique characteristics. The Gold Red switches have a light-medium level of resistance, giving you just the right amount of feedback without being too heavy. Additionally, their snappy sound profile adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches showcase a lovely representation of a linear switch with their progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. These switches also have a gentle resistance and provide a smooth typing experience. Both switches are categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, offering a comfortable typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon share similar properties when it comes to their housing materials. Both switches have a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, allowing for a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Gold Red and Sea Salt Lemon will yield similar results in terms of sound and aesthetic when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings.
On the other hand, the housing materials differ in their bottom housings. The Gold Red features a nylon bottom housing, while the Sea Salt Lemon also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic composition. It absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, typing on both the Gold Red and Sea Salt Lemon switches will elicit similar experiences in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel.
While the top and bottom housings may have their own unique qualities, it is important to note that when pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing will have a greater impact on the overall sound and feel. The qualities of the bottom housing material will be more pronounced during key presses. Conversely, when releasing a key, the impact on sound will be more influenced by the properties of the top housing. Thus, while the Gold Red and Sea Salt Lemon may differ in their housing materials, the overall typing experience and sound profile can be attributed to a combination of the top and bottom housings' characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Gold Red requires 43 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires 45 grams. Both switches have fairly light actuation forces, allowing for quick and effortless keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Gold Red requires 50 grams, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon requires slightly more at 53 grams. This means that typing on the Gold Red switch will feel lighter and may require less force to fully press down compared to the Sea Salt Lemon switch.
The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider, as it can significantly impact typing comfort and endurance. For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gold Red switch would be a suitable choice, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces provide a lighter touch. This can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel and enjoy a stronger push, the Sea Salt Lemon switch may be a better option, given its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This can provide a more satisfying and tactile typing experience.
However, it's important to note that while the Gold Red switch is lighter in both actuation force and bottom out force, and the Sea Salt Lemon switch is slightly heavier, the differences may not be drastic enough to significantly impact the overall typing experience. Therefore, individuals who prioritize weight may still achieve similar results with these switches, as they both fall within the light to medium-light range. Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Gold Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon will depend on personal preference and desired typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the exact same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing experience provided by both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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
The Gold Red linear switch is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. It has a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. The sound of the Gold Red switch can be described as thocky, with a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. It also has a low-pitched tone, which gives it a bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. Overall, the Gold Red switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user or if you are using it at home or work. The feel of the Gold Red switch is also noteworthy, as it is described as mild, silky, subtle, and polished. It offers a more gentle typing experience with an exceptionally smooth feel, minimal resistance, and reduced friction. The Gold Red switch's qualities all stand in a safe, middle-ground zone, providing a comfortable and refined typing experience.
The Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is a lovely representation of what a linear switch can offer. Similar to the Gold Red switch, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a buttery smooth typing experience. It features a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Although the sound characteristics of the Sea Salt Lemon switch are not explicitly mentioned, it can be assumed that it also has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. The feel of the Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as mild, which suggests a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. While more specific details about the feel of this switch are unavailable, it can be inferred that it offers a comfortable and approachable typing experience similar to the Gold Red switch.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provide a buttery smooth typing experience with light-medium resistance. While specific sound characteristics of the Sea Salt Lemon switch are unknown, it is safe to assume that it also offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The Gold Red switch has a thocky sound with a deep and satisfying tone, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch likely shares a similar low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The feel of both switches is described as mild, indicating a gentle typing experience. While more detailed information about the Sea Salt Lemon switch's feel is missing, it can be inferred that it offers a comfortable and approachable typing experience similar to the Gold Red switch. Overall, both switches are excellent options for those seeking a smooth and pleasant typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a light-medium resistance switch with a buttery smooth typing experience and a modest sound profile, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is a great choice. It offers a thocky and low-pitched sound that adds a touch of personality without being too loud. The Gold Red also provides a mild and silky feel, making it approachable to most users who prefer a safe and middle-ground typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light resistance switch with a buttery smooth typing experience and a more neutral sound profile, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is worth considering. It offers a low-pitched sound, which gives a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The Sea Salt Lemon provides a mild feel, similar to the Gold Red, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between TTC Gold Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches comes down to your personal preferences. Consider factors such as bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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