HMX Jammy vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy 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, two options stand out: the HMX Jammy and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both linear switches with distinct qualities. The Jammy is renowned for its softer nylon housings and medium weight, providing a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. While the Jammy falls into the category of soft, the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild. Each switch has its own unique appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
57g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches lies in the material used for the top housing. The Jammy utilizes a nylon top housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile because of polycarbonate's relatively stiffer properties. This leads to a more clear and resonant sound, especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, making them similar in that aspect.
In terms of aesthetics, the nylon top housing of the HMX Jammy will not showcase any RGB lighting effects, as nylon is not translucent. Meanwhile, the polycarbonate top housing of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the switch. This difference in material can impact the overall look and theme of a keyboard build, with the Sea Salt Lemon offering more versatility in terms of customization options. While both switches provide a pleasant typing experience with their nylon bottom housing, the choice between a duller, rounder sound of the Jammy and a crisper, sharper sound of the Sea Salt Lemon ultimately depends on personal preference.
Overall, the choice between the HMX Jammy and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon will come down to individual preferences in sound profile and aesthetics. While both switches excel in providing a deep and full sound due to their shared nylon bottom housing, the top housing material sets them apart in terms of sound sharpness and customization options. Whether one values a softer, duller sound profile with the Jammy's nylon top housing or a sharper, crisper sound with the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing, both switches offer quality typing experiences with their unique housing materials.
Weight
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 57 grams compared to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch's 45 grams, making the Sea Salt Lemon the lighter option. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jammy requires 63 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams, also making the Sea Salt Lemon the lighter option. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon for its lower actuation and bottom out forces, ideal for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial push feel may opt for the slightly heavier forces of the Jammy for a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Jammy. Both switches fall within the shorter range of travel distances, making them suitable for users looking for a faster response time. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Jammy for quick key presses. However, those who prefer a more pronounced key press may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
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 HMX Jammy linear switch offers a muted and deeply satisfying typing experience, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The Jammy may be softer due to its glittery nylon housing, but the Sea Salt Lemon stands out with its buttery smooth typing experience thanks to a progressive spring and dry-lube design. Your choice in keyboard and keycaps can also influence the overall sound produced by these switches.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Jammy switch's tactile experience is not specified, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as offering a mild and gentle typing experience. With the Jammy switches falling within the medium-weight category, their typing feel may lie somewhere in between pronounced and subtle characteristics. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches are designed to provide a comfortable and approachable typing feel that should cater to a wide range of users.
In conclusion, both the HMX Jammy and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Jammy may provide a softer and potentially more satisfying typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out with its low-pitched sound and mild feel. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches are capable of delivering a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two would come down to individual preferences and the overall typing feel desired.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the HMX Jammy linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, you should consider the bottom out force, typing experience, sound profile, and feel of each switch. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a typing experience that is muted and deeply satisfying, the Jammy switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision.
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