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Dareu Holly vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon

An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch. The Dareu Holly switch stands out for its medium 50g actuation force and unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing users with a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon from KTT offers a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design, making it a great choice for those seeking a low-pitched and mild switch. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. 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

N/A

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

Partial box

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

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

13mm progressive spring

Housing materials

The Dareu Holly and KTT Sea Salt Lemon both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the nylon bottom housings of the Holly and Sea Salt Lemon differ slightly in their sound profiles. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings.

While both the Dareu Holly and KTT Sea Salt Lemon utilize polycarbonate top housings, the nylon bottom housings provide a unique twist to their sound profiles. The Holly's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing also adds depth and fullness to the typing experience. This difference in housing materials allows for a varied typing experience, with the top and bottom housings contributing to different aspects of the sound and feel of the switch.

In summary, the Dareu Holly and KTT Sea Salt Lemon share similarities in their polycarbonate top housings, which offer a sharp and clear sound profile. However, the differences in their nylon bottom housings result in slightly varying sound profiles, with the Holly's nylon housing creating a deeper sound and the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon housing providing a rounder tone. Both switches offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of their housing materials, showcasing the impact that different materials can have on the overall sound and feel of a switch.

Weight

The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Holly switch requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for the Holly switch is unknown, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is considered medium-light. In terms of weight, the Sea Salt Lemon switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, but heavier when it comes to bottoming out. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon switch may be the better option for longer typing sessions. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may prefer the Dareu Holly switch for a more tactile typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that in terms of travel distance, the two switches will provide a similar typing experience with consistent feedback. Overall, both switches offer a standard travel distance that is common among mechanical keyboard switches.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.

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 Dareu Holly tactile switch offers a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, creating a distinctive typing experience with sharp and snappy sounds. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a low-pitched and mellow tone that is pleasant to the ears. Both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various users and environments, although the Holly switch stands out with its chirpy characteristic. Ultimately, the sound produced by these switches will also depend on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Holly does not have specific descriptors provided, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is described as offering a mild typing experience. This suggests that the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a subtle and gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics, making it comfortable for most users. Without specific information on the feel of the Holly switch, it's hard to directly compare the two in this aspect.

In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holly switch excels in providing a unique sound signature with chirpy and clacky elements, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch stands out for its low-pitched and smooth typing experience. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users, but the choice between them would ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. If a user enjoys a more distinctive and sharp sound, the Holly switch would be the preferred choice, whereas if a smoother and mellow typing experience is desired, the Sea Salt Lemon switch would be the better option.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a unique sound profile that combines chirpy and clacky elements, and prefer a medium actuation force, the Holly switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile and a lighter actuation force, the Sea Salt Lemon switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.

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