KTT Kang White vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Kang White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences among typists and gamers alike. The Kang White is celebrated for its poppy linear feel, producing a dazzling typing sound while boasting unparalleled smoothness thanks to its self-lubricating material. This switch is categorized as low-pitched and neutral, making it an enticing option for those who value noise control and a satisfying auditory feedback. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie combines a medium weight with a thocky sound profile, providing an excellent balance of tactile feedback and smoothness while breaking the price barrier with top-notch quality. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths—whether you're drawn to the bright and smooth experience of the Kang White or the rich sound of the Sea Salt Smoothie. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Kang White Linear

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$1.99 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Kang White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch designs prominently utilize different materials in their housings, leading to distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Kang White features a polycarbonate top housing. This material is characterized by its stiffness, facilitating a sharper and crisper sound when typing. The transparency of polycarbonate also enhances the visual aspect of the switch, especially when coupled with RGB lighting, allowing for an eye-catching glow. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie opts for a POM top housing, which produces a mellower, deeper sound profile that emphasizes a more muted typing experience. While both materials will yield satisfying results, the Kang White is likely to resonate more brightly in its sound, making the typing experience feel more dynamic.

When examining the bottom housing, the Kang White employs nylon, while the Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes POM. Nylon is known for its softer properties, creating a fuller and deeper sound profile as it absorbs some of the vibrations that occur during keystrokes. This contributes to a rounder sound that can evoke a sense of warmth. POM, on the other hand, while slightly harder than nylon, still generates a depth to the audio experience, offering a pleasingly unique sound as described by enthusiasts. Both switches leverage the qualities of their bottom housings to provide a satisfying bottom-out sound and feel, though the Kang White will likely deliver a more pronounced and rounded feedback due to the inherent softness of nylon.

Ultimately, the typing experience offered by the KTT Kang White and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a fusion of their respective materials in both the top and bottom housings. While the Kang White's polycarbonate top and nylon bottom create a crisper sound on release and a deeper feel on bottom-out, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM construction provides a consistently muted auditory experience in both aspects. Users can expect an engaging typing experience with both switch designs, each lending its own character while highlighting the influence of their individual materials on sound and feel. Ultimately, if one desires the crisper notes of the Kang White or the deeper tones of the Sea Salt Smoothie, either option can be tailored to their typing style and aesthetic preferences.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Kang White linear switch with the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we observe some distinct differences in their actuation forces. The Kang White has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, highlighting it as a medium-weight option that provides a balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams, suggesting it may provide a firmer touch for users who prefer a more substantial feel. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, which leaves a gap in our understanding of its overall weight characteristics during keystrokes. Consequently, while the Kang White can be perceived as the lighter switch overall—ideal for longer typing sessions due to its lower actuation and clear bottom out force—the Sea Salt Smoothie may cater to those who appreciate a bit more resistance in their typing experience. Overall, choosing between these switches will depend largely on personal preference for tactile feedback and typing style.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Kang White linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Kang White measures at 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie features a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference highlights the preferences between depth and responsiveness. The Kang White offers a more traditional and hearty feel, ideal for those who appreciate a deeper press, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers seeking quicker actuation and faster response times. Ultimately, if you prefer a more responsive touch, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is the better option, while the Kang White is suited for individuals who enjoy a more intentional keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Kang White linear switch produces a low-pitched and neutral tone, known for its bass-heavy and mellow characteristics. This results in a typing experience that is pleasant and not overly intrusive, making it suitable for both office environments and home use. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a thocky sound profile, which many users find satisfying, especially when typing. The distinct sound characteristics of these two switches highlight the individual preferences one might have regarding auditory feedback, but both excel in their own ways, creating delightful auditory experiences during use.

In terms of feel, the Kang White switch is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness, thanks to its self-lubricating material that enhances the typing experience significantly. This smoothness can make rapid typing easier and can contribute to a more enjoyable overall experience. Similarly, the Sea Salt Smoothie also emphasizes exceptional smoothness, which is a hallmark of the quality POM material used in its construction. This ensures that both switches deliver a comfortable and fluid typing experience, appealing to users who prioritize the tactile sensation of their keyboards.

Overall, both the KTT Kang White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches shine in their respective qualities. The Kang White captivates with its engaging sound profile and remarkable smoothness, making it a joy to type on, while the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its thocky sound and excellent smoothness, offers a similarly enjoyable experience. While their sound profiles vary, both switches ensure an equally comfortable and satisfying feel, catering to the needs and preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Thus, regardless of which switch one chooses, there's a good chance of achieving a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Kang White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a medium bottom-out force of 58 grams and a typing experience that combines smoothness with a low-pitched, thocky sound, the Kang White could be your ideal choice. The self-lubricating material further enhances its performance, making it great for long typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that breaks the price barrier while still offering an exceptional feel and smoothness, the Sea Salt Smoothie might be better suited for you. While it has an unknown bottom-out force, its reputation for delivering a thocky sound and a comfortable typing experience makes it an excellent option, especially if you're mindful of cost without sacrificing quality. Ultimately, it’s all about what aspects matter most to you—whether it’s auditory feedback, tactile feel, or perhaps price—so consider trying both if possible to find your perfect match.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Kang White Linear

$1.99 per 10

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Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more