Gateron Luciola vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Luciola and KTT Strawberry are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and benefits. The Luciola is best known for its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature, providing a visually captivating typing experience. With a medium heft and a smooth and bouncy typing feel, this switch creates a satisfying tactile response. Additionally, it produces a distinct hollow sound profile reminiscent of a can of spray paint being shaken. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry is loved for its smooth actuation and comfortable feel. It boasts an attractive pink and clear housing that adds a touch of aesthetics to any keyboard. This switch offers reliable performance and is categorized as having a low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Luciola and the KTT Strawberry differ in their housing materials, with the Luciola featuring a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, while the Strawberry utilizes polycarbonate for both. The INK blend top housing of the Luciola is described as having a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Strawberry creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. However, both materials offer a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, with the INK blend being clacky and the polycarbonate being more clear and resonant.
In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate housing of the Strawberry is especially advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a more vibrant and illuminated effect. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Strawberry enhances its overall sound profile due to the material's stiffness, resulting in a crisper and more resonant sound. On the other hand, the Luciola's INK blend top housing provides a slightly softer yet equally satisfying clacky sound, which may appeal to those who prefer a less sharp sound profile.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Luciola's INK blend and the Strawberry's polycarbonate contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the impact and feedback experienced when pressing down on a key. However, it is worth noting that the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while both switches offer similar qualities in terms of sound and feel, the choice between the Luciola and the Strawberry ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired level of sharpness and clarity in the sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, there are some similarities and differences in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The Luciola has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Strawberry requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation force.
Moving on to bottom out force, the Luciola has a bottom out force of 60 grams, whereas the Strawberry has a slightly higher bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Strawberry requires a slightly stronger push or press all the way down compared to the Luciola.
In terms of weight, the lighter actuation force of the Strawberry may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a lighter typing feel, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue. This makes it a suitable option for those who use their keyboards extensively for work or long gaming sessions.
On the other hand, the Luciola's slightly heavier bottom out force provides a more substantial typing experience for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel. This can enhance the tactile feedback and may be preferred by those who value a more robust typing experience.
Overall, both switches offer a medium actuation force, but differ slightly in terms of bottom out force. It is important for users to consider their personal preferences and typing style when choosing between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch to ensure they find the optimal choice for their needs.
Travel distance
The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Strawberry switch is longer than the Luciola switch. The 4 mm travel distance of the Strawberry switch is closer to the traditional travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Luciola switch falls on the shorter side with its 3.6 mm distance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may opt for the Luciola switch with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper and more robust feel when pressing down on a key may lean towards the Strawberry switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or key depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a unique and distinctive experience. Described as "clacky," these switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. The sound can be characterized as crisp, bright, and percussive. Additionally, they have a "chirpy" quality, featuring a slight squeak that sets them apart from other switches. Another descriptor for the Luciola sound is "marbly," which refers to a resonant, high-pitched, and clean sound profile. Think of the sound when tapping on a solid piece of marble or the collision of two billiard balls. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is described as having a "low-pitched" sound. This indicates a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to switches with higher pitches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps. Overall, while the Gateron Luciola and KTT Strawberry switches differ in sound characteristics, both can provide satisfying auditory experiences depending on personal preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a typing experience that can be described as "snappy." These switches are highly responsive, often due to longer or dual-staged springs, providing a vibrant and lively typing sensation. They are also referred to as "buttery," implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Using these switches, typing feels seamless, effortless, and uniform. Additionally, the Luciola switches are described as "polished," indicating a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience, with reduced friction and a smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is characterized as "frictionless," offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. The keys feel fluid and resistances or friction are minimized. They are also considered "silky," further enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Similar to the sound aspect, the feel of the switches can also depend on factors such as materials used and factory lubing. In conclusion, both the Gateron Luciola and KTT Strawberry switches provide satisfying and comfortable typing experiences, each with their own unique qualities.
Taking into account the available information, the Gateron Luciola and KTT Strawberry linear switches have their distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola is best known for its eye-catching appearance in the dark, medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a sound profile reminiscent of a "can of spray paint being shaken." Its sound is characterized by a snappy and clacky nature, with a unique chirpy and marbly quality. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch is loved for its attractive pink and clear housing, smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. Its sound is described as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Additionally, both switches share similarities in their feel, with descriptors like buttery and polished being used for both. While each switch offers its own subjective experience, both can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on individual preferences. It's important to consider factors such as keycap choice, keyboard board, and personal preferences when deciding between these switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Strawberry linear switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
If you are someone who values a unique and eye-catching aesthetic, the Luciola with its glowing feature may be more appealing to you. It also offers a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the Luciola is known for its smooth and bouncy feel, as well as its hollow sound profile reminiscent of a can of spray paint being shaken.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an attractive pink and clear housing, the Strawberry may be the better choice for you. It also offers a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, ensuring a similar level of typing comfort. The Strawberry switch is praised for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance.
When it comes to sound, the Luciola switch can produce various types of sounds, including clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. If you prefer a switch with a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Luciola might be more suitable for you. Meanwhile, the Strawberry switch is described as having a low-pitched tone, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow sound experience.
In terms of feel, both switches offer smooth and fluid typing experiences. The Luciola switch is known for being snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a responsive and refined typing sensation. Meanwhile, the Strawberry switch is described as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience.
Ultimately, it is important to consider your personal preferences for aesthetics, typing feel, and sound when choosing between the Gateron Luciola and the KTT Strawberry linear switches. Consider trying out both switches or seeking out more in-depth reviews to make an informed decision that suits your individual needs and preferences.
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