KTT Laurel vs. SP-Star Meteor Orange
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor Orange, two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The KTT Laurel is a linear switch renowned for its medium-light actuation and responsive feel. With its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, this switch strikes a perfect balance between comfort and speed. Additionally, the Laurel offers a subtly low-pitched sound profile that adds an extra touch of elegance to your typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor Orange is a tactile switch that boasts exquisite gentleness. These switches provide a soft and seductive tactility, making them a preferred choice for users who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. Furthermore, the Meteor Orange’s neutral sound profile adds to its overall appeal. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these general characteristics, so you can make an informed decision and select the best switch that suits your personal preferences and typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Laurel and SP-Star Meteor Orange switches have distinct differences in terms of sound profile and overall feel. The Laurel's POM top housing creates a unique, deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. In contrast, the Meteor Orange's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer plastic absorbing more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While both switches offer pleasing sound experiences, the POM top housing of the Laurel provides a more distinctive and muted sound, while the nylon top housing of the Meteor Orange delivers a fuller and deeper sound.
Similarly, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Laurel's POM housing produces a unique and pleasing deep sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange's nylon bottom housing, being softer and more sound-absorbing, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both switches offer a deep sound experience, the Laurel's POM bottom housing may provide a more distinct and muted bottom-out sound due to its unique properties, whereas the nylon bottom housing of the Meteor Orange may deliver a deeper and fuller sound.
In terms of overall feel, the bottom and top housing materials play a significant role. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed. Therefore, choosing a switch with a POM bottom housing, as seen in the Laurel, may result in a more distinctive tactile feel and muted sound upon pressing down. On the other hand, the top housing material affects the sound when you release the key. So, the nylon top housing of the Meteor Orange may provide a fuller and deeper sound when you let go of a key. While both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, understanding the role of the top and bottom housing materials allows you to tailor your choice based on specific preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Laurel has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, meaning it requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Meteor Orange, whose actuation force is unknown. Additionally, the Laurel has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is also lighter than the Meteor Orange's bottom out force of 57 grams, making the typing experience on the Laurel more gentle on the fingers. Those who prefer a lighter feel while typing may find the Laurel to be more suitable for extended periods of typing or gaming. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Meteor Orange provides a stronger push feel, giving a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer that. Overall, the Laurel is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out force, while the Meteor Orange offers a slightly heavier typing experience with its medium-light bottom out force.
Travel distance
The KTT Laurel linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the category of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they allow for faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Laurel switch with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, it is important to note that some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt. For those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press, the Meteor Orange switch, with its slightly longer travel distance, may be the preferred option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Laurel has an MSRP of $4.42 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Laurel for $3.95.
The SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
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 KTT Laurel has a subtly low-pitched profile. Low-pitched switches typically have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor Orange has a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the Meteor Orange has a thocky characteristic, meaning it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed.
Moving on to feel, the Laurel is described as snappy, which means it is super responsive. This responsiveness is often due to longer or dual-staged springs that make the typing experience feel more alive. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange offers a mild typing experience. This means that it provides a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Meteor Orange switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through the use of high-quality materials and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the KTT Laurel linear switch stands out for its medium-light linear feel, full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design. Its sound profile is subtly low-pitched, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone. The SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, on the other hand, is characterized by its gentle tactility and neutral sound profile. It offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish for smooth and refined key travel. Both switches have their own unique qualities, with the Laurel being snappy and the Meteor Orange being gentle and approachable. Depending on personal preference and typing style, one can choose between the more responsive and lively feel of the Laurel or the softer and more refined feel of the Meteor Orange. In terms of sound, the Laurel leans towards a low-pitched profile, while the Meteor Orange offers a neutral sound with a satisfying thocky characteristic. Regardless of the choice, both switches provide an enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a medium-light linear switch that strikes the perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort, the KTT Laurel is the way to go. With its light bottom out force of 50 grams, full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, you can expect a snappy and lively typing experience. Additionally, the Laurel offers a subtly low-pitched sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more gentle typing experience with a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch is the ideal choice. With a slightly heavier bottom out force of 57 grams, these switches offer a mild and polished feel. The gentle tactility of the Meteor Orange switch provides a soft and seductive typing experience, while the neutral sound profile ensures a satisfying and thocky sound when pressed and released.
Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Laurel linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch would depend on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience and sound profile. Whether you prioritize snappiness and low-pitched sound or prefer a more gentle and polished feel with a thocky sound, both switches offer their own unique characteristics to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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