KTT Laurel vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Laurel and the Gateron Oil King are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, both falling under the linear switch category. The Laurel is renowned for its medium-light weight and its ability to strike the perfect balance between responsiveness and comfort. With its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, it offers a unique typing experience. Additionally, the Laurel switch produces a subtly low-pitched sound profile, adding a pleasant auditory element to its already impressive features. On the other hand, the Oil King is often hailed as one of the best linear switches available. It boasts an incredibly smooth typing experience, reminiscent of the buttery smoothness found in a dark chocolate bar snapping. The Oil King switch offers a variety of qualities, including a low-pitched sound profile, creamy feel, silky keystrokes, bassy undertones, and a polished finish. Both switches have their own distinct strengths, making them suitable choices for different preferences and needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your specific requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Laurel and the Gateron Oil King differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Laurel features a POM top housing, which creates a pleasing, unique sound characterized by a deeper and more muted tone. This is contrasted by the Oil King's nylon top housing, known for eliciting a fuller and deeper sound due to its relatively softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder effect. While both switches offer a deeper sound profile, the Laurel's POM housing may provide a slightly more muted experience compared to the Oil King's nylon housing.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Laurel and the Oil King also showcase contrasting qualities. The Laurel boasts a POM bottom housing, contributing to its pleasing and unique sound profile, with a deeper and relatively more muted tone. In contrast, Gateron's Oil King features a proprietary INK blend bottom housing known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This blend results in a satisfying thin and higher-pitched clacky sound, adding a distinct character to typing or keypresses. Therefore, the bottom housing plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch.
Although the top and bottom housings of the KTT Laurel and the Gateron Oil King differ, they are both designed to enhance the overall sound experience. The Laurel's POM top and bottom housings offer a more pleasing, unique, and deeper sound profile with a relatively more muted tone. On the other hand, the Oil King's nylon and proprietary INK blend bottom housing contribute to a fuller, deeper, and higher-pitched sound with a clacky element. Despite these differences, both switches provide satisfying results that enhance the sound when pressing or releasing a key, showcasing the impact of the top housing on the sound when a key is released and the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Laurel is lighter in terms of actuation force, requiring only 43 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Oil King has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Laurel requires 50 grams of force, while the Oil King has a higher bottom out force of 65 grams. In terms of weight, the Laurel offers a lighter typing experience, which is ideal for those who prefer extended typing sessions or lengthy gaming sessions. Conversely, the Oil King provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, appealing to individuals who prefer a stronger push feel. It is important to note that both switches provide different levels of resistance, allowing users to tailor their typing experience accordingly.
Travel distance
The KTT Laurel linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have different travel distances. The Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Oil King has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Laurel's travel distance is slightly shorter than the more traditional 4.0 mm, whereas the Oil King's travel distance falls within the traditional range. Gamers who prioritize faster response times often prefer switches with shorter travel distances, making the Laurel a suitable choice for them. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer switches with a bit more depth in their presses. For those who appreciate a hearty depth, the Oil King's longer travel distance would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel of the key presses.
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 Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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 KTT Laurel and Gateron Oil King linear switches have a low-pitched profile. Low-pitched switches typically offer a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, providing a pleasant sound during typing. However, the Oil King switch also adds a touch of bassiness to the sound, giving it a deeper and richer quality. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Laurel switch is described as snappy, which means it offers a super responsive typing experience. This responsiveness is typically achieved through longer or dual-staged springs, making the keystrokes feel more alive. On the other hand, the Oil King switch is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. These terms all point towards a smooth and fluid typing experience. The switch's lubrication and the quality of materials used contribute to this seamless and effortless sensation. Both switches provide a satisfying feel, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it is clear that both the KTT Laurel and Gateron Oil King linear switches are high-quality options. They share the same low-pitched sound profile, although the Oil King switch adds a touch of bassiness. In terms of feel, the Laurel switch offers a snappy typing experience, while the Oil King switch provides a smooth and buttery sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Rest assured, regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-light linear switch with a full POM housing and a perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort, the KTT Laurel switch is a great choice. It has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a light switch. Additionally, the Laurel switch has a subtly low-pitched sound profile, which can provide a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during key presses. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with buttery smoothness and a dark chocolate bar snapping sound profile, the Gateron Oil King switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a slightly heavier typing experience. The Oil King switch is also described as low-pitched, providing that mellow tone, and bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound profile. In terms of feel, the Laurel switch is known for its snappy response, while the Oil King switch is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Laurel and Gateron Oil King switches depends on your personal preference for weight, sound profile, and overall feel.
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