KTT Matcha vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the KTT Matcha and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly influence your typing experience, and two popular options are the KTT Matcha and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie. The KTT Matcha is celebrated for its tactile feedback, offering a snappy and satisfying experience with each keystroke. This switch is characterized by its distinctly clean bottom-out sound thanks to its long pole stem, making it an excellent choice for users who enjoy an audible and tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a smooth linear experience with a medium-weight feel, allowing for fluid keystrokes without the tactile bump. Its thocky sound profile adds a unique auditory element, appealing to those who prefer a quieter yet responsive typing environment. While both switches cater to different preferences—tactility versus smoothness—they each serve to enhance the typing experience in their distinct ways. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that works best for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the KTT Matcha and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, it becomes evident that both switches utilize distinct materials for their top and bottom housings, leading to unique auditory experiences. The KTT Matcha is composed of polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a sound profile characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched resonance. This quality stems from the stiffness of polycarbonate, which amplifies clarity and resonance, ensuring that each keystroke has a crisp and articulate output. Moreover, the transparency of the polycarbonate allows for effective diffusion of RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switch for visually-oriented setups.
In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie employs POM (Polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housings, producing a notably different sound signature. POM materials are recognized for delivering a deeper, more muted audio experience, offering a soothing and pleasing sound rather than the bright clarity of polycarbonate. Consequently, the Sea Salt Smoothie switch is ideal for users who favor a more subdued auditory feedback in their typing experience. While the unique characteristics of each material shape the overall sound profiles, the POM housing's approach diverges significantly from the clarity-focused design of the Matcha.
Nevertheless, even with the differences in housing materials, both switches can achieve satisfying auditory results depending on user preference. The Matcha's consistent brightness in sound complements the clarity of keystrokes, while the Sea Salt Smoothie's deeper tone enhances the overall typing experience with a lush and soft sound. If you find favor in a more harmonious auditory feel, the contrasting materials still offer the potential for enjoyment through their distinct characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Matcha and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie boils down to personal preference for sound and feel, with each option providing a satisfying experience tailored to user needs.
Weight
The KTT Matcha tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation forces, with the Matcha switch requiring a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Sea Salt Smoothie's 48 grams. This difference makes the Matcha switch more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, allowing for less finger fatigue. Additionally, the Matcha has a bottom out force of 45 grams, indicating how much force is needed when the key is fully pressed down, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has an unknown bottom out force. This lack of information on the bottom out force for the Smoothie means we can't make a direct comparison in that aspect. However, given its heavier actuation force, the Sea Salt Smoothie may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who appreciate a firmer push for feedback. Overall, users seeking a lighter and more comfortable switch should lean towards the KTT Matcha, whereas those who prefer a heavier feel might opt for the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie.
Travel distance
The KTT Matcha tactile switch exhibits a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch measures a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference means that the Matcha switch provides a deeper press compared to the Sea Salt Smoothie, making it potentially more suitable for those who favor a more pronounced tactile response and a hearty depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its 3.7 mm travel distance, caters to a preference for quicker, more responsive key presses, which may appeal to gamers seeking rapid response times. Therefore, if you're drawn to a switch that feels more abrupt and allows for faster actuation, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie would be the better choice, while the KTT Matcha is ideal for users who appreciate a more substantial travel experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Matcha has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Matcha for $4.88.
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 Matcha switch is characterized by a clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy audio feedback when pressed. This creates an engaging auditory experience that many typists find satisfying, particularly those who appreciate a vibrant and percussive sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is noted for its thocky sound, which is deeper and more muted compared to the Matcha. While both switches can deliver distinct sound profiles, the Matcha's clackiness stands out, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced audio feedback from their typing.
In terms of feel, the KTT Matcha switch provides a delightful typing experience characterized by its snappy and stepped characteristics. This means that as you press down, you’ll feel a clear tactile bump—offering a mild sensation that enhances the overall typing dynamic. The Matcha switch combines a sense of responsiveness due to its design, including longer or dual-staged springs, which makes the typing experience feel lively and enjoyable. It strikes a balance with its accented quality, providing a prominent tactility that isn't overly harsh or too subtle. Unfortunately, the feel characteristics of the Sea Salt Smoothie remain unknown, but the switch is known for its smooth operation, allowing for fluid keystrokes that typists often cherish.
In conclusion, the KTT Matcha tactile switch is an appealing option for those who appreciate a satisfying clacky sound and a responsive, well-defined tactile feel, ideal for an engaging typing experience. In contrast, while the sound profile of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie may lean towards the deeper thock, its smoothness adds an element of enjoyment that many users favor. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences but share the common goal of enhancing the typing experience, making them great options for newcomers to mechanical keyboards looking to explore their options.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the KTT Matcha tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you appreciate a snappy typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump and a satisfying clacky sound, the KTT Matcha would be an excellent fit. Its light bottom-out force of 45 grams and feathery nature make it ideal for extended typing sessions, whether you're gaming, working, or studying. On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and a quieter experience without the need for tactile feedback, the Sea Salt Smoothie is designed for you. Known for its creamy texture and thocky sound profile, it offers a different typing sensation that's optimized for fluidity. Ultimately, consider your typing style: go with the Matcha for a tactile and auditory thrill, or choose the Sea Salt Smoothie for a smooth and serene typing experience.
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