KTT Laurel vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking to choose the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the KTT Laurel and the KTT Wine Red. The Laurel is a medium-light linear switch that offers a great combination of responsiveness and comfort. With its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, this switch ensures a smooth typing experience. Additionally, the Laurel produces a subtly low-pitched sound profile, adding to its overall appeal. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch provides a pillowy light type feel, making it an enjoyable choice for typing. It also boasts a deep and rich sound profile, giving each keystroke a satisfyingly bassy and low-pitched sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Laurel and KTT Wine Red switches differ in terms of their sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Laurel features POM top and bottom housings, which create a deep and relatively muted sound profile. In contrast, the Wine Red utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. These differences in sound are influenced by the stiffness and translucency of the respective materials. While POM is known for its pleasing and unique sound, polycarbonate offers enhanced clarity and resonance. Moreover, the Wine Red's polycarbonate top housing is particularly advantageous for those seeking to utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In terms of functionality, the bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed. As such, the qualities brought by the bottom housing material will be most noticeable during typing or gaming. With the Laurel's POM bottom housing, users can expect a deep and muted sound upon bottoming out. Conversely, the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing will provide a sharper and potentially more satisfying feedback upon keypress. On the other hand, the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the choice of housing material for the top can influence the overall auditory experience of using the switch, with the Laurel's POM housing producing a deeper sound compared to the crisper sound of the Wine Red's polycarbonate top housing.
Despite their differences, it is worth noting that both the KTT Laurel and KTT Wine Red switches offer unique and pleasing sound profiles. While the Laurel's POM housing provides a more muted and deeper tonality, the Wine Red's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Additionally, both switches offer aesthetic appeal as the clear polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red allows for vibrant RGB lighting, while the POM housing of the Laurel showcases a different visual aesthetic. Ultimately, the choice between these housing materials will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, tactile feedback, and desired aesthetic effects.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Laurel is slightly lighter at 43 grams compared to the Wine Red's 44 grams. However, both switches provide a fairly light and effortless key trigger, ensuring smooth typing experiences.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Laurel requires 50 grams of force while the Wine Red requires 55 grams. This means that the Wine Red switch offers a slightly heavier and more pronounced typing feel when fully pressed down. For individuals who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience, the Wine Red may be the preferred choice due to its higher bottom out force.
Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing between these switches. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Laurel switch would be ideal as it has a lower actuation and bottom out force. This lighter weight allows for extended typing sessions without straining the fingers. On the other hand, if a stronger push feel is desired, the Wine Red switch would be a better option with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force.
In summary, while the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch differ slightly, they both provide a smooth and effortless key trigger. The Laurel offers a lighter typing experience, perfect for prolonged usage, while the Wine Red provides a slightly heavier and more pronounced keystroke for those seeking a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Laurel linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have different travel distances. The Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is on the shorter side in comparison to the more traditional 4 mm travel distance of the Wine Red. Shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Laurel would be the better option. However, some people may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a switch with a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, then the Wine Red with its longer travel distance would be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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, the KTT Laurel linear switch is best characterized as having a subtly low-pitched sound profile. This means that the sound produced by the Laurel switch is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is known for its satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile. It can be described as having a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Both switches offer unique sound experiences, but the Laurel switch has a slightly lower pitch compared to the Wine Red switch.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the KTT Laurel linear switch is described as being snappy. This means that the Laurel switch is super responsive, providing a typing experience that feels more alive. The snappiness of the switch can be attributed to longer or dual-staged springs, which enhance the tactile feedback and make typing on the Laurel switch a joy. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available regarding the feel of the KTT Wine Red linear switch.
To summarize, the KTT Laurel linear switch offers a medium-light linear typing experience with a subtly low-pitched sound profile. It is known for its responsiveness and comfort, thanks to its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch provides a pillowy light feel when typing and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile. While the Laurel switch has a snappy feel, enhancing the typing experience, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Wine Red switch. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-light linear switch with a perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort, the KTT Laurel is the best choice. With its light bottom out force of 50 grams and full POM housing, this switch offers a snappy and responsive typing experience. Additionally, the Laurel switch has a subtly low-pitched sound profile, providing a more mellow and bass-heavy tone. On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light type feel and a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red is the way to go. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 55 grams, the Wine Red switch offers a satisfyingly deep and rich typing experience. It is important to note that the Wine Red switch lacks a specific description for its feel, but its overall characteristics make it a great choice for those seeking a comfortable typing experience with a pleasing sound. Ultimately, the decision between the Laurel and Wine Red switches will depend on your personal preferences for both typing feel and sound profile.
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