Gateron Jupiter Red vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon mechanical keyboard switches, both being linear switches, each has its unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Red is renowned for its smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes, medium-heavy actuation, and high-precision molds, making it ideal for those seeking a consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out for its buttery smooth typing feel, thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Jupiter Red offers a polished and creamy typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a low-pitched and mild feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches are quite similar, with both featuring polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches utilize nylon bottom housings, which produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound.
Despite their similarities in housing materials, the Gateron Jupiter Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches differ in their overall sound experience. The Jupiter Red's use of polycarbonate in the top housing may lend itself to a more distinct and precise sound when a key is released, while the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing could impact the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. This showcases how the combination of different housing materials can influence the overall typing experience and sound profile of a switch.
In terms of aesthetics, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate in their top housings, especially if RGB lighting is being utilized. The clear housing allows for light to shine through, creating a visually appealing effect. Additionally, the contrasting softness of the nylon bottom housings adds an interesting textural element to each switch. Overall, while the Gateron Jupiter Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches may have similar housing materials, the subtle differences in their design and construction can result in unique typing experiences for users.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, we can see that they have similar actuation forces of 45 grams. However, the Jupiter Red has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams. The Jupiter Red provides a more substantial typing experience with its higher bottom out force, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lighter bottom out force, which may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. Both switches have medium actuation forces, ensuring a consistent typing experience for users looking for a balance between light and heavy switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, despite the fact that they have the same travel distance, the feel and sound of each switch may vary due to factors such as materials used and design. While the travel distance is the same for both switches, the typing experience may differ based on individual preferences. Overall, users can expect a similar key press feel when using either the Gateron Jupiter Red or the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, as the travel distance remains consistent between the two options.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $2.80. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Jupiter Red and Sea Salt Lemon.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch offers a neutral profile, suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, adding a bass-heavy and mellow tone to the typing experience. Both switches offer a pleasant sound output, with the Sea Salt Lemon potentially creating a more soothing auditory sensation due to its low-pitched nature.
Moving on to the feel, the Jupiter Red switch provides a polished, creamy, silky, and mild typing experience, offering a smooth and refined finish with reduced friction and minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch delivers a mild typing experience, suitable for most users looking for a gentle and approachable feel while typing. Both switches ensure a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, with the Jupiter Red potentially providing a more luxurious feel due to its multiple refined characteristics.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Jupiter Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer high-quality typing experiences, each with its own unique characteristics. While the Jupiter Red switch excels in providing a seamless and consistent typing experience with medium-heavy actuation, softer backlight effects, and multiple refined qualities, the Sea Salt Lemon switch stands out for its progressive spring, dry-lube design, and low-pitched sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on personal preference regarding sound, feel, and specific typing requirements. Rest assured, both switches guarantee a satisfying typing experience for newcomers and experienced users alike.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force and a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke experience with softer backlight effects, the Jupiter Red may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon could be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preference in terms of actuation force, typing feel, and sound profile.
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