KTT Laurel vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Laurel and Durock Sea Glass are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and characteristics. The Laurel, a medium-light linear switch, is known for its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, which provide a perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort. It also boasts a subtly low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating selection of five pastel colors and a distinct dry, wispy, and airy typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Furthermore, typing on the Sea Glass switches reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches offer their own advantages and drawbacks, 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Laurel and the Durock Sea Glass switches exhibit both similarities and differences. Both switches feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Laurel's POM top housing and Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing both aim to create a pleasant sound experience. However, the Laurel's POM housing produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound, while the Sea Glass's blend offers a slightly brighter sound profile that is not particularly sharp. Consequently, users can expect a satisfying auditory experience from both switches, albeit with subtle variations.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the Laurel and Sea Glass switches also have distinct characteristics. The POM bottom housing of the Laurel contributes to its pleasing and unique sound profile. This material emphasizes a deeper sound and provides a relatively more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, resulting in another unique sound profile. While the Sea Glass blend does not offer a sharp sound, it adds a touch of brightness to the switch's acoustic presentation. Considering the bottom-out sound and feel, users can expect the impact of the bottom housing material to be more prominent.
When it comes to the overall sound of the switch, the impact of the housing materials is divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on a switch allows users to feel the qualities of the bottom housing, which affects the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the sound when releasing a key is influenced more by the top housing material. Therefore, while the Laurel and Sea Glass switches may differ in their housing materials, they both deliver a satisfying auditory experience depending on the specific interaction and the resulting sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are noticeable differences. In terms of actuation force, the Laurel requires 43 grams, while the Sea Glass requires 45 grams. Although the variance is minimal, the Laurel is slightly lighter in this aspect. Furthermore, when it comes to bottom out force, the Laurel requires 50 grams, whereas the Sea Glass requires a higher force of 62 grams. This indicates that the Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience, requiring a stronger push to fully press the keys.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows for longer typing durations, which is ideal for work or marathon gaming sessions. In this case, the Laurel would be a suitable choice due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. Conversely, there are those who seek a heavier and more substantial feel to their typing experience. For such individuals, the Sea Glass would be a better option, as it requires a greater force for both actuation and bottoming out.
Though the Laurel and Sea Glass linear switches differ in their actuation and bottom out forces, both switches offer a reliable and consistent typing experience. Depending on personal preferences, one can achieve similar results with either switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on the desired weight and typing feel one seeks in their keyboard.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Sea Glass has a deeper key press compared to the Laurel. Some individuals may prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Sea Glass switch, as it provides a more traditional and substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, for those who prioritize faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Laurel may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience. However, it is worth noting that both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to the most traditional 4.0 mm, indicating a preference for shorter travel distances in modern keyboard switches.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 KTT Laurel switch is best characterized as having a subtly low-pitched sound profile. Low-pitched switches typically feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass switch is not provided. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the KTT Laurel switch is known for its snappy feel. Snappy switches are super responsive and provide a lively typing experience, often due to longer or dual-staged springs. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch offers a range of qualities in terms of feel. It is described as frictionless, meaning it provides an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. It is also characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that most users would find approachable. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is feathery, meaning it is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from the fingers, reducing finger fatigue. Lastly, it is easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance and enhancing the typing experience with its low-impact feel.
Taking into account all the available information, the KTT Laurel linear switch stands out for its medium-light linear design, full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, which strike a perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort. It is characterized by a subtly low-pitched sound profile and a snappy feel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a captivating selection of pastel colors and a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in its typing experience. It is known for its smoothness, despite a 62g bottom-out force, and is characterized by its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities. While the sound profile of the Sea Glass switch is unknown, it offers a unique hollow sound signature. Overall, both switches provide different subjective qualities, and the choice between them will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience. However, it is important to note that similar results can be achieved with either switch, as they both offer a smooth and comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the KTT Laurel and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a medium-light switch with a balanced blend of responsiveness and comfort, the Laurel is an excellent choice. With its lightweight bottom-out force of 50 grams and a subtly low-pitched sound profile, it provides a satisfying typing experience.
On the other hand, if you value a unique typing experience with distinct dryness, airiness, and smoothness, the Sea Glass switches by Durock are worth considering. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they offer a weightless feel that defies expectations, thanks to their frictionless nature. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature.
So, if you prefer a snappy and responsive feel with a medium-light weight, the Laurel is the way to go. However, if you prioritize a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press experience with a captivating color selection, the Sea Glass switches might be the perfect fit for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to your individual preferences and typing needs.
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