Cherry MX Silent Red vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both of which are linear switches. The Cherry MX Silent Red is well-known for its ability to provide a satisfying typing experience with a quieter sound profile compared to the classic MX Red switch. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a buttery smooth typing experience due to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Sea Salt Lemon is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Mild'. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and environments. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, one major difference is in the top housing material. The MX Silent Red uses a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic composition. This contrast in sound profiles indicates that the top housing material plays a significant role in the overall typing experience and sound output of the switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material of both switches, they share a similarity in their use of nylon. Both the MX Silent Red and the Sea Salt Lemon feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. This similarity highlights the importance of the bottom housing material in impacting the overall sound and feel of the switches. Despite differences in the top housing material, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that users can expect a consistent sound profile when typing on either switch.
Overall, the choice between the Cherry MX Silent Red and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon may come down to personal preference based on the desired sound profile. The MX Silent Red with its nylon top and bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing offers a crisper and more resonant sound output. Both switches showcase how housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience, demonstrating the importance of considering the top and bottom housing materials in selecting a switch that aligns with individual preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally responsive to keystrokes. However, the Cherry MX Silent Red has a bottom out force of None grams, as this information is unavailable, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is considered medium-light. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon switch requires a slightly heavier force to fully press down compared to the Cherry MX Silent Red. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Cherry MX Silent Red for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may enjoy the more substantial typing experience offered by the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Sea Salt Lemon switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that the MX Silent Red has a shorter travel distance at 3.7 mm compared to the Sea Salt Lemon at 4 mm. In general, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered traditional, while 3.0 mm is more shallow. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the MX Silent Red a popular choice in this regard. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distance, but selecting the one that aligns with your preferences will result in a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is known for its muted, thocky, and low-pitched characteristics, providing a quieter and deeper sound profile compared to standard mechanical switches. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, suitable for various users and environments. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience in terms of sound, with the MX Silent Red being notably quieter due to its silent operation.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as textured, which may provide a unique typing experience for those who appreciate a bit of friction when pressing down the keys. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of feel. While the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a different tactile experience with its textured feel, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a smoother and more approachable typing experience for most users.
Overall, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches offer quality linear options with their own unique characteristics. The MX Silent Red excels in providing a quieter typing experience with its silent operation, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a buttery smooth typing experience that is gentle and neutral. Depending on personal preference and the desired sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience for newcomers and experienced users alike.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch or the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, your decision should be based on your preference for noise level and typing experience. If you value a quieter typing experience in noise-sensitive environments, the MX Silent Red with its silent operation and muted, thocky sound profile would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a buttery smooth typing experience with a slightly more pronounced sound and a low-pitched tone, the Sea Salt Lemon switches from KTT would be a fantastic option with their progressive spring and mild feel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your specific preferences for sound and feel while typing.
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