Bsun Kiki Red vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Kiki Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider the nuances of each. The Kiki Reds from BSUN are praised for their finely-tuned typing experience, offering a balance of high-pitched clackiness without being overly loud. With all-POM housings and Ly stems for smooth actuation, these switches provide a medium-light weighting for a subtle auditory feedback and precision performance. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemons by KTT showcase a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to their progressive spring and dry-lube design. These switches are known for their low-pitched and neutral characteristics, making them a mild yet satisfying choice. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, it is evident that both switches use different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Kiki Red utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a deep and muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper and crisper sound, while its nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
While the Kiki Red and Sea Salt Lemon differ in their housing materials, both switches aim to provide a unique and pleasing typing experience. The POM housings of the Kiki Red offer a distinct sound profile that leans towards the deeper end, creating a more muted typing experience. In comparison, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate and nylon housings combine to produce a sound that is sharper and higher-pitched, yet still deep and full. Despite the differences in materials, both switches prioritize sound quality and seek to enhance the overall typing experience for users.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Kiki Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. The POM housings of the Kiki Red deliver a unique sound that may appeal to those who prefer a deeper and more muted typing experience. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Lemon's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housings offers a sharper, crisper sound with a deeper and fuller undertone. Whether one prefers the softer sound of POM or the sharper sound of polycarbonate, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience that is sure to satisfy keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Kiki Red has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Kiki Red, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a slightly heavier push, providing a more substantial typing feel. Both switches fall into the lighter weight category, making them suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch. The Kiki Red switch provides a slightly quicker response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for faster reaction times. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a slightly deeper keypress feel due to its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Both switches have their own advantages based on personal preferences, with the Kiki Red being the shorter option and the Sea Salt Lemon being the longer option in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy noise when pressed, delivering a crisp and percussive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various environments. The variance in sound between the two switches allows users to choose based on their preference for a sharper or more subdued typing noise.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Kiki Red provides a creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press typing experience. These qualities result in a smooth and refined typing feel, with minimal resistance and effortless key presses. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable for most users. The buttery smooth sensation is achieved through the progressive spring and dry-lube design, ensuring a comfortable and consistent typing feel.
Overall, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch delivers a finely-tuned typing experience with a balanced, high-pitched clack and medium-light weighting, appealing to users who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a buttery smooth typing experience with a mild and gentle feel, catering to those seeking a comfortable and approachable tactile sensation. Depending on the sound and feel preferences of the user, both switches offer unique qualities that enhance the overall typing experience, ensuring a satisfying and personalized choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance and medium-light weighting for subtle auditory feedback and smooth performance, the Kiki Red may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a progressive spring and a more neutral sound profile that is low-pitched and mellow, the Sea Salt Lemon could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Choose the switch that aligns best with your desired typing sensations and performance needs.
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