KTT Grapefruit vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stand out as compelling options for different types of users. The KTT Grapefruit switches are celebrated for their soft and light feel, providing a tactile experience that many gamers and typists might find refreshing. Their unique “baritone” sound—which is deep yet not overwhelming—adds an enjoyable auditory layer to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches deliver a medium-weight actuation with a "thocky" sound profile, ensuring an equally pleasing and smooth keystroke. Designed to break the price barrier while maintaining exceptional quality, these switches appeal to both budget-conscious users and those seeking performance. In essence, if you prefer a lighter touch and a softer sound, the Grapefruit may be your best bet, while those looking for a slightly heavier switch with superior smoothness might lean toward the Sea Salt Smoothie. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Grapefruit Linear

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.41 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Grapefruit and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie utilize distinct materials for their top housings, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The Grapefruit features a polycarbonate top housing known for its stiffness, producing a sharper and crisper sound that resonates clearly. This characteristic makes polycarbonate an excellent choice for those looking to enhance RGB lighting effects, as its translucency allows light to showcase beautifully within the switch. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie opts for a POM top housing, which tends to create a deeper and more muted sound profile. While POM is considered to be acoustically pleasing, its sound is less resonant than that of polycarbonate, offering a different auditory experience, appealing to users who prefer a more subdued keystroke.

When we consider the bottom housings of both switches, we see a different dynamic. The Grapefruit uses nylon, a classic material that contributes a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer structure, which absorbs more sound. This leads to a more muted bottom-out sound that is rich and rounded. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes POM for its bottom housing as well. Like nylon, POM also creates a deeper and unique sound, but it leans toward a more muted profile overall. As a result, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, yet with contrasts in how pronounced or subdued their individual bottom-out noises can be.

Overall, the differences in material composition between the KTT Grapefruit and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie illustrate how the two switches achieve unique auditory profiles. While the Grapefruit's combination of a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom delivers a crisper, more resonant sound quality, the Sea Salt Smoothie's use of POM for both top and bottom results in a more muted and rounded auditory experience. For enthusiasts seeking a hybrid of qualities, the use of POM in both components of the Sea Salt Smoothie may appeal due to its balanced sound, while the Grapefruit’s polycarbonate top will attract those looking for brightness in their key feedback. Despite their differences, both switches are capable of delivering satisfying typing experiences, catering to a range of preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Grapefruit has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it a medium-light option suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch, potentially allowing for longer typing sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams, suggesting a heavier feel that might appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Both switches have different bottom out forces, with the Grapefruit’s bottom out force being 53 grams, while the Sea Salt Smoothie's bottom out force remains unknown. This means that while the Grapefruit clearly provides both a quantifiable actuation and bottom out force, the Sea Salt Smoothie leaves some ambiguity regarding its bottoming out characteristics. Thus, for those looking for a lighter overall switch, the KTT Grapefruit would be the preferable choice, whereas users who might favor a heavier actuation might lean towards the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find that the Grapefruit has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie measures 3.7 mm. This means the Grapefruit switch offers a longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial feel upon keypress, appealing to those who appreciate a deeper, more tactile experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, may cater to gamers who prefer quicker response times and a more abrupt feedback when typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for depth and responsiveness, as the Grapefruit allows for a more pronounced keypress experience, while the Sea Salt Smoothie facilitates faster actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch offers a low-pitched tone that's described as having a "baritone" quality, providing a soft and mellow acoustics that can be more soothing during extended typing sessions. This sound profile relies on a balance between clarity and depth, making it suitable for both a quiet office environment and casual gaming. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch is known for its "thocky" sound profile, which tends to have a more pronounced and resonant acoustics, adding a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. While the Grapefruit leans toward a softer sound, the Sea Salt Smoothie provides a more impactful auditory experience. However, it’s important to remember that the overall sound can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard chassis and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit switch stands out for its polished finish, which translates to a remarkably smooth and refined typing experience. This is made possible through high-quality materials and potentially factory lubing, resulting in minimal friction and a seamless key travel. On the other hand, while specific tactile characteristics of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie are not detailed, the switch is known for its medium-weight feel, which typically provides a solid balance between resistance and ease of actuation. Users can expect a comfortable typing experience, although it may differ slightly in terms of polish compared to the Grapefruit.

In conclusion, both the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches have their unique attributes that cater to different preferences. The Grapefruit provides a softer, low-pitched sound alongside a polished and smooth feel, ideal for serene typing environments. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Smoothie delivers a more thocky sound, paired with a medium feel that caters to users looking for that satisfying feedback without compromising on quality. Depending on your choice, both switches can offer a high-quality typing experience, but your ultimate satisfaction will hinge on personal preference regarding sound and tactile sensation.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences regarding feel, sound, and typing experience. If you enjoy a soft and light typing sensation with a tarty and somewhat low-pitched sound profile, the Grapefruit switch is an excellent choice. Its medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, combined with its polished feel, allows for a smooth and refined typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions, whether you're working from home or engaging in casual gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium weight while still achieving exceptional smoothness and a thocky sound, the Sea Salt Smoothie might be more suited to your tastes. Although its exact bottom-out force remains unknown, the quality construction of this switch promises a reliable and enjoyable typing experience that doesn't break the bank. In the end, selecting a switch really comes down to how you want your mechanical keyboard to feel and sound, so consider your preferences and environment carefully before making the final choice.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Grapefruit Linear

$3.41 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more