SP-Star Meteor White vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Meteor White is a linear switch that is best known for its gentle and easy-to-push nature, providing a soft and pitter-patter sound profile. Its categorized qualities of being 'neutral', 'mild', 'thocky', and 'polished' further emphasize its smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon, also a linear switch, showcases a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a buttery smooth typing experience. With qualities such as being 'low-pitched', 'neutral', and 'mild', these switches offer a distinct characteristic. 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
57g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor White and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon keyboards differ in several ways. The first difference lies in the top housing material. The Meteor White features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that offers a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the transparent nature of the polycarbonate makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Meteor White and the Sea Salt Lemon employ nylon as the material of choice. This material, known for its classic switch housing properties, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. With its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, despite the difference in top housing materials, the use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both keyboards elicit similar deep and full sound profiles.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on a key, the bottom housing has a more pronounced impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, the difference in top housing materials between the Meteor White and the Sea Salt Lemon will affect the sound produced when typing, offering users the option to choose between a deeper and fuller sound (Meteor White) or a sharper and crisper sound (Sea Salt Lemon). However, the usage of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both keyboards will provide a similar experience in terms of their deep and full sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it's clear that they have slight differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Meteor White's value is unavailable, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires just 45 grams. Both could be considered medium-light, providing a relatively quick response with a light touch. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Meteor White is slightly heavier at 57 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams. Although both are still in the medium-light range, the Meteor White offers a slightly more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. Those who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing periods may find the Sea Salt Lemon more fitting, while individuals seeking a bit more resistance and tactile feedback might lean towards the Meteor White. However, it's important to note that without the exact actuation force for the Meteor White, obtaining similar results to the Sea Salt Lemon's lighter keypress may be possible with the Meteor White.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will experience a similar distance and feel for both switches. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches as they provide the same amount of key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is best known for its subdued and gentle qualities. It is easy to push and offers a soft and gentle sound profile. The typing experience with this switch is smooth and refined, resulting in a sleek and polished feel. Its mild characteristics make it approachable to most users, providing a comfortable typing experience.
On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is renowned for its lovely representation of a linear switch. It features a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, which contribute to a buttery smooth typing experience. The Sea Salt Lemon switch has a low-pitched sound profile, producing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Its mild feel ensures a gentle typing experience, similar to the Meteor White switch.
In summary, both switches offer a pleasant and comfortable typing experience. The Meteor White switch is known for its soft and subdued qualities, providing a gentle and pitter-patter sound profile. Its feel is mild and polished, offering reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Sea Salt Lemon switch, with its progressive spring and dry-lube design, provides a buttery smooth typing experience. It has a low-pitched sound profile and a mild feel, making it approachable to most users. Overall, using either switch will result in a similar and satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and soft typing experience with a subtle sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is a great choice. With a medium-light bottom out force of 57 grams, this switch is easy to push and offers a gentle pitter-patter sound. It has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether you plan to use it at home or work. Additionally, the Meteor White switch has a mild feel and a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is worth considering. With a slightly lighter bottom out force of 53 grams, this switch offers a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, providing a delightful buttery smooth typing experience. It has a neutral sound profile, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches, which some users may find more satisfying.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Meteor White and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches depends on your personal preferences. Both switches offer a medium-light bottom out force and a mild feel, making them approachable to most users. Consider the type of sound profile you prefer, whether it be the gentle and pitter-patter sound of the Meteor White or the low-pitched and buttery smooth sound of the Sea Salt Lemon. Additionally, consider the subtle differences in feel, with the Meteor White offering a polished switch for a sleek typing experience and the Sea Salt Lemon providing a progressive spring for a delightful feel. Whether you prioritize sound, feel, or both, these switches are great options for a satisfying typing experience.
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