Durock Koala vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Koala and KTT Sea Salt Lemon present two distinct options for enthusiasts seeking different typing experiences. The Durock Koala is a tactile switch best known for its stepped tactility, providing a satisfying bump without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a smooth linear feel with a progressive spring and dry-lube design that enhances typing comfort. While the Koala excels in providing a tactile feedback, the Sea Salt Lemon focuses on delivering a buttery smooth typing experience. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
Both the Durock Koala and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance in sound production. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant and customizable aesthetics. While both switches share this common material for their top housing, they may differ in their overall design and performance.
In contrast, the Koala features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, thanks to nylon's softer composition that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing. Similarly, the Sea Salt Lemon also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, emphasizing a similar sound profile characterized by its softer and more muted tones. Despite this shared material for the bottom housing, each switch may offer a unique typing experience based on their individual design and construction.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Durock Koala and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provides a balance of sound characteristics between sharpness and depth. While both switches benefit from the properties of these respective materials, the specific design and composition of each housing may result in subtle differences in sound and feel during typing. Whether it's the sharper, resonant sound of polycarbonate or the deeper, fuller sound of nylon, both switches offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences and preferences for sound profiles.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Koala has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. The actuation force for the Koala is unknown, but for the Sea Salt Lemon, it is 45 grams. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon is lighter both in actuation and bottom out force compared to the Koala. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions, the Sea Salt Lemon would be the preferred choice. On the other hand, if a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel is desired, the Koala would be the better option. Each switch offers a different typing experience based on the actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to select according to their personal preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, they offer a similar tactile experience despite being different types of switches. This means that whether you choose the Koala or the Sea Salt Lemon, you can expect a consistent travel distance and tactile feedback. This similarity ensures that users can achieve a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch they choose. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to other factors such as actuation force, sound profile, or personal preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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, both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch are described as having a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. This means that they both offer a mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Koala switch is known for its polished, accented, stepped, and stiff characteristics. This means that it provides a smooth and refined typing experience with a medium level of tactility and a noticeable bump that doesn't span the entire keystroke. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as offering a mild typing experience, making it a gentle and approachable option for most users.
In conclusion, both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Koalas provide a pronounced bump and a more tactile typing experience, while the Sea Salt Lemons offer a smooth and buttery typing feel. Depending on your personal preference for tactility and sound profile, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch. Ultimately, trying out both switches and considering factors like keycap and keyboard choice will help you determine which one best suits your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you enjoy a medium-heavy keystroke that provides a pronounced bump without being overly loud, the Koala may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a buttery smooth typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon could be more suitable. Both switches offer low-pitched sound profiles and a pleasant typing experience, but the Koala provides a polished and accented feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a mild and gentle typing experience. Ultimately, choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences and needs.
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