Huano Grape Orange vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a crucial role, especially in comparing the Huano Grape Orange and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both linear switches that offer distinct experiences. The Grape Orange switch is renowned for its exceptionally light actuation force of just 40g, making it an ideal choice for those who seek a swift and effortless typing experience, particularly during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch embodies a different nuance in the linear category, characterized by a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, which create a buttery smooth tactile sensation that many users appreciate. While the Grape Orange prioritizes ease of use and minimal effort, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a refined touch that adds a touch of sophistication in typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Grape Orange Linear

KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$2.80 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches are notably similar, both featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The choice of polycarbonate for the top housing in both switches contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, which is attributed to the material's stiffness. This characteristic allows for a clearer resonance, making it particularly appealing for users who enjoy RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the illumination effect. As both switches utilize polycarbonate in their construction, they will likely produce comparable auditory experiences when it comes to the sound produced on key release.

In contrast, the nylon bottom housings of both the Grape Orange and Sea Salt Lemon switches bring a distinctively different quality to the overall sound profile. The use of nylon, known for its softer and more absorbent nature compared to polycarbonate, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. This is due to nylon's ability to dampen sound more effectively, resulting in a rounder and more muted auditory response during key presses. Each switch maintains its unique sound signature through the combination of these housing materials, with nylon dictating the bottom-out sound and feel while polycarbonate affects the release sound. Thus, while the top housings share a material, the bottom housings ensure that users experience a varied tactile and auditory feedback when typing.

Ultimately, the combination of these materials allows for both switches to achieve synergistic results in sound performance. The first portion of the typing experience—engaging the switch and bottoming out—relies heavily on the nylon construction. In contrast, the final release of the key is defined by the polycarbonate top housing. Thus, even though both the Huano Grape Orange and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches employ identical materials in their housing designs, the interplay between the varying properties of nylon and polycarbonate ensures that users will enjoy a rich and nuanced typing experience that resonates with both clarity and depth.

Weight

The Huano Grape Orange and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches present a contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, making each suitable for different user preferences. The Grape Orange features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, ideal for those who prefer effortless typing during extended use, such as long work sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial feel when pressing keys. While both switches are relatively close in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces, the Huano Grape Orange is the lighter option overall, making it a better choice for those prioritizing comfort and ease. Users who prefer a stronger push feel, however, might find the KTT Sea Salt Lemon more satisfying due to its heavier resistance.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there is a noticeable difference: the Grape Orange has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon measures 4 mm. This means that the Grape Orange is the shorter switch, providing a more responsive feel that can be advantageous for gamers seeking quick keypress reactions. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial depth, offering a tactile feedback that some users find more satisfying. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a more traditional typing experience with a heartier feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Grape Orange switch is relatively unknown in terms of its sound profile, allowing for some speculation regarding its auditory impact. However, the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized by a low-pitched sound that exudes a mellow, bass-heavy quality, along with a neutral tone. This makes the Sea Salt Lemon quite versatile, appealing to both beginners and advanced users, whether they are gaming or typing at work. It’s worth noting that the sound experience can heavily depend on additional factors like the keyboard build and keycap materials.

When it comes to feel, the Grape Orange switch is described as providing an exceptionally light and effortless typing experience, with a very low actuation force of only 40g, which is ideal for long typing sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon is noted for its mild feel, offering a more gentle typing experience that strikes a balance between smoothness and approachability. This mild characteristic makes it appealing to a broad audience, ensuring a comfortable experience for both casual and serious typists.

In conclusion, the Grape Orange and Sea Salt Lemon switches cater to different preferences despite both being linear switches. While the Grape Orange excels in providing a notably light typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a silky smooth feel with its dry-lube design. The sound profile of the Grape Orange remains an unknown entity, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon is praised for its low-pitched and neutral sound, making both switches unique in their own right. If you're considering these switches, be prepared to enjoy similar results in typing comfort, albeit with different sensory experiences.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Grape Orange and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches, it's essential to consider your typing preferences and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you prioritize a lighter and more effortless typing experience, particularly for extended typing sessions, the Grape Orange with its ultra-low 40g actuation force will be your ideal choice. Its lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams means there's less strain on your fingers, allowing for quick and comfortable keystrokes. This makes it particularly suitable for those who type for long hours or simply prefer a switch that requires less effort.

On the other hand, if you seek a more balanced and versatile experience, the Sea Salt Lemon might be the better option. With a slightly heftier 53 grams bottom-out force and a buttery smooth feel, it caters to those who appreciate a moderate and stable typing experience. The low-pitched and neutral sound profile further enhances its adaptability, making it suitable for both professional and casual environments without being distracting. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you lean towards a lighter touch with the Grape Orange or a more robust, yet still comfortable, typing experience with the Sea Salt Lemon.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

KTT Sea Salt Lemon Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more