KTT Mallo vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the KTT Mallo and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Mallo and KTT Sea Salt Lemon offer unique experiences for different preferences. The Mallo is praised for its gentle tactility and medium-light typing feel, striking a balance that provides just the right amount of feedback without being overpowering. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Mallo boasts a versatile neutral sound signature, the Sea Salt Lemon is noted for its low-pitched and mild sound profile. When choosing between the two switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Mallo and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Mallo uses nylon which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
While both the Mallo and Sea Salt Lemon switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the key difference lies in their bottom housing material. The Mallo's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper sound when typing, while the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing also offers a similar typing experience with a fuller sound profile. The impact of the bottom housing is felt more prominently during the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, showcasing the differences in sound quality between the two switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for the KTT Mallo and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches plays a significant role in the sound profile and typing experience. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and crisp sound, the difference in nylon bottom housing results in variations in sound depth and fullness. Whether you prefer a sharper, higher-pitched sound or a deeper, fuller sound, the housing materials of these switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is clear that the Mallo is lighter in terms of actuation force with None grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 45 grams. However, when looking at the bottom out force, the Mallo requires 55 grams while the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams, making them relatively similar in this aspect. The Mallo provides a medium-light typing experience overall, with a slightly lighter actuation force but a slightly heavier bottom out force compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch, especially for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, the distance traveled from the top to the bottom will feel the same. This consistency in travel distance can provide a similar typing experience across both switches, ensuring that users will receive comparable results in terms of keypress feel and responsiveness. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is aligned, offering a familiar tactile experience for users regardless of which switch they choose to use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
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
The KTT Mallo tactile switch offers a subtle and balanced typing experience with a gentle tactility that provides just enough feedback without being overpowering. It features a neutral sound signature that is versatile for various typing environments. In comparison, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. Both switches offer a mild typing feel that is approachable to most users. Overall, the Mallo excels in providing a feathery and mild typing experience with a subdued sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon delivers a buttery smooth feel and low-pitched sound. Depending on your preference for tactility and sound profile, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider your preference for typing feel and sound. If you prioritize a feathery and subtle typing experience with a versatile neutral sound profile, the Mallo may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon may be more suitable. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches comes down to personal preference and what qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch. Happy typing!
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