KTT Laurel vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Laurel and KTT Sea Salt Lemon are two mechanical keyboard switches that both offer a linear typing experience. The Laurel is a medium-light switch that strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness and comfort, thanks to its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design. It also produces a subtly low-pitched sound profile, adding to its overall enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches are known for their buttery smooth typing experience, which is achieved through their progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. These switches are categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, offering a more versatile option for different typing preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Laurel and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer distinct sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Laurel features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. This can be desirable for those seeking a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for RGB lighting, adding an attractive visual element. While they differ in sound and appearance, both top housings bring their own unique qualities to the typing experience.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Laurel and Sea Salt Lemon switches offer contrasting sound profiles. The POM bottom housing of the Laurel contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, enhancing the typing experience. In comparison, the nylon bottom housing of the Sea Salt Lemon creates a duller and rounder sound by absorbing more sound due to its softer plastic composition. These distinct sound profiles can cater to different preferences, with the Laurel offering a deeper tone and the Sea Salt Lemon providing a softer sound.
When considering the impact on typing feel, the bottom housing of each switch plays a more prominent role during the keypress. The characteristics of the bottom housing will influence the bottom-out sound and feel, affecting the overall typing experience. Conversely, the top housing's impact is more noticeable when the key is released. Thus, while the materials of the top and bottom housings may differ, they both contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch, providing a comprehensive typing experience.
In summary, the housing materials of the KTT Laurel and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches showcase unique characteristics. The POM top housing of the Laurel creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Sea Salt Lemon produces a sharper and crisper sound profile suitable for RGB lighting. The POM bottom housing of the Laurel elicits a deeper sound, while the nylon bottom housing of the Sea Salt Lemon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller tone. Although the top and bottom housings have distinct impacts on sound and feel, they both contribute to an overall typing experience that can be tailored to individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Laurel, with an actuation force of 43 grams, requires a relatively light touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, making it slightly heavier to activate. However, both switches fall within the lighter range of actuation forces, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Laurel has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon possesses a slightly higher bottom out force of 53 grams. Although the difference may not be significant, it is worth noting that the Sea Salt Lemon requires slightly more force to fully press down and reach the bottom.
For individuals who prefer a keyboard with a lighter touch and less force required to trigger keystrokes, both the KTT Laurel and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer similar results with their relatively light actuation forces. However, if someone desires a more substantial typing experience with a slightly stronger push feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switch may be a preferred choice due to its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces. In terms of weight, the Laurel can be considered the lighter option, while the Sea Salt Lemon is slightly heavier. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences and typing habits.
Travel distance
The KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have different travel distances. The Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Sea Salt Lemon switch has a slightly longer travel distance than the Laurel switch.
A travel distance of 4 mm is considered more traditional, while a travel distance of 3.5 mm is on the shorter side. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Laurel switch would be the better option. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial and deep typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its longer travel distance would be a better choice.
In summary, the travel distance of the KTT Laurel linear switch is shorter at 3.5 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a longer travel distance at 4 mm. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and whether speed or a more profound typing experience is prioritized.
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 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
When it comes to sound, both the KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a low-pitched sound profile. Low-pitched switches typically have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches, providing a pleasant typing experience. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Laurel switch is described as snappy, indicating that it is super responsive. This responsiveness can be attributed to features like a full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, which provide a balance of responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience. These switches have qualities that fall within a safe middle-ground, making them approachable to most users.
To summarize, both the KTT Laurel and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer quality linear switch options with their own unique characteristics. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow typing experience. The Laurel switch is known for its snappy feel, thanks to its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a mild typing experience. If you are looking for a similar sound profile and responsiveness, either of these switches would be a great choice, depending on your personal preferences. Remember to consider other factors such as keyboard board and keycaps to further customize your typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a slightly lower-pitched sound profile, the KTT Laurel linear switch may be the better choice for you. Its medium-light bottom out force of 50 grams provides a comfortable and easy typing experience. Additionally, the Laurel's full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design contribute to its responsiveness and overall comfort. The Laurel's subtly low-pitched sound profile adds to the pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom out force, a buttery smooth feel, and a neutral sound profile, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch would be a great option. Its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design ensure a smooth typing experience, while the neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various environments and skill levels. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Laurel and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches depends on your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and overall typing feel.
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