Outemu Cream Yellow vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When diving into the world of mechanical keyboards, one of the key decisions to make is choosing the right switch for your typing preferences. Two popular options to consider are the Outemu Cream Yellow, a tactile switch, and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch. The Cream Yellow is categorized as a tactile switch and is known for its unique features. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon is categorized as a linear switch and is highly praised for its smooth typing experience due to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Cream Yellow offers a tactile bump for feedback during typing, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a buttery smooth typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these 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
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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 Outemu Cream Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon housing materials, it is clear that there are significant differences between the two. The Cream Yellow features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic composition. This means that typing on the Cream Yellow switch will produce a duller and rounder sound, while typing on the Sea Salt Lemon switch will result in a clearer and more resonant sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, both the Cream Yellow and the Sea Salt Lemon utilize nylon material. This means that typing on either switch will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. The similarities in the bottom housing material suggest that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel across both switches. However, the differences in the top housing material between the two switches will still result in distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In essence, the choice between the Outemu Cream Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon housing materials ultimately comes down to personal preference. If a user prefers a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller tone, the Cream Yellow's nylon housing would be the ideal option. On the other hand, if a user prefers a sharper and crisper sound profile with a clearer tone, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate housing would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics based on their housing materials, allowing users to customize their typing experience according to their preferences.
Weight
The actuation force of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is the same at 45 grams, making them both relatively light compared to other switches. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires a heavier force of 60 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon only needs 53 grams, making it the lighter option between the two. This means that the Cream Yellow will provide a more substantial typing experience and may be preferred by those who like a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon's lighter bottom out force may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch which has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Cream Yellow's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Sea Salt Lemon's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches offer unique benefits based on their travel distance, with the Cream Yellow providing a quicker response and the Sea Salt Lemon offering a more traditional typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Cream Yellow comes in at $3.10, whereas the KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80.
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 Cream Yellow and Sea Salt Lemon switches offer different qualities. The Cream Yellow's sound profile is unknown, while the Sea Salt Lemon is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon switch will likely provide a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, suitable for a wide range of users and environments. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycap setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cream Yellow's tactile feedback is unspecified, while the Sea Salt Lemon is described as offering a mild typing experience. A mild switch like the Sea Salt Lemon provides a gentle and approachable feel that falls in the middle ground of typing characteristics, making it suitable for a broad range of users.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Cream Yellow's sound and feel remain unknown, the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized by its low-pitched, neutral sound and mild typing experience. Both switches have their own strengths and are likely to provide satisfactory results depending on the individual's preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two would come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a tactile typing experience, the Cream Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth linear typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon could be the ideal option. Consider your typing style, sound, and feel preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing preferences and needs.
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