KTT Pine vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the fascinating world of mechanical keyboard switches, both the KTT Pine and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present compelling choices for enthusiasts seeking linear switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The KTT Pine distinguishes itself with its lush, forest green design and medium-heavy actuation force, providing a buttery smooth feel that promotes an effortless typing experience. With its polished and factory-lubed finish, friction is minimized, resulting in seamless key travel that is ideal for those who value a gentle touch. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a medium-weight, all-POM construction that balances cost and quality, delivering a satisfying thocky sound profile alongside noteworthy smoothness. While both switches are linear and suitable for a variety of typing tasks, their unique qualities cater to different preferences—whether you prioritize a creamy, low-pitched feel or a thocky auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
58g
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the KTT Pine and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, it is evident that the choice of housing materials plays a significant role in shaping their respective acoustic profiles. The KTT Pine utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This material is known for its stiffness, leading to a sharper and crisper sound, characterized by higher-pitched tones. As polycarbonate is also translucent, it is particularly advantageous for applications involving RGB lighting, creating a visually stunning effect. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie employs POM for both its top and bottom housings. POM, while providing unique sound properties, yields a deeper and more muted character, which offers a distinct auditory experience compared to the sharper sound of polycarbonate.
The different materials used in the KTT Pine and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie mean that the acoustic profiles are influenced by both the top and bottom housings. In a switch like the KTT Pine, pressing the key activates the polycarbonate housing's crispness, resulting in a clear bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, in the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, the POM material provides a more subdued response, giving the switch a unique but less pronounced auditory feedback during key presses. As each housing contributes uniquely to the overall sound, users may find their preferences shifting depending on whether they enjoy the sharpness of polycarbonate or the allure of POM's deeper tones.
Ultimately, while the KTT Pine and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie differ in their choice of housing materials, achieving similar results could be possible depending on individual preferences. For instance, if a user prioritizes a bright and resonant typing experience, the KTT Pine's polycarbonate housing would deliver that clarity. However, if they prefer a sound that is more muted and pleasing to the ears, the Sea Salt Smoothie with its POM construction would be more suitable. Regardless of the materials, the overall experience will differ based on how the unique characteristics of each housing influence the auditory response and tactile feedback, allowing enthusiasts to choose a switch that best aligns with their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Pine linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces, as well as an unknown aspect regarding the bottom out force of the Sea Salt Smoothie. The KTT Pine features an actuation force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option, which may be beneficial for users who prefer to type for extended periods or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie requires a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams, suggesting it may be better suited for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie remains unknown, leaving a gap in its comparison; it's impossible to determine its potential heaviness or lightness when the switch is pressed all the way down. Overall, while the Pine is confirmed to be lighter at the actuation stage, the lack of information about the Sea Salt Smoothie’s bottom out force complicates a full analysis.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Pine stands out with its longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, the KTT Pine offers a more substantial feel, which may appeal to those who prefer a deeper and more grounded typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, is designed for quicker actuation, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking rapid response times. While both switches cater to different preferences, the Pine’s extra 0.3 mm may feel more deliberate, while the Sea Salt Smoothie could provide a snappier feedback suitable for fast-paced gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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
In terms of sound, the KTT Pine linear switch delivers a rich and deep auditory experience characterized by its bassy and low-pitched profile. This results in key presses that produce a satisfying depth, akin to a resonant thock. The sound quality is driven by its construction and lubed finish, enhancing the overall acoustic experience while minimizing higher-frequency sounds that might be more jarring. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie does not have a specified sound profile, leaving some uncertainty regarding its auditory characteristics. However, when combined with a suitable keyboard and keycap choices, it may potentially offer a sound that complements its smooth nature.
Regarding the feel, the KTT Pine switch excels with its buttery and creamy tactile feedback. Designed for an effortless typing experience, its polished, factory-lubed finish significantly reduces friction, allowing for a seamless and pleasing keystroke. Typing on these switches feels incredibly satisfying, almost like gliding across the keys, thanks to the smooth travel. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie switch does not have detailed feeling descriptors available, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given Gateron’s reputation for quality, one can anticipate a smooth and pleasant typing experience that should align well with the Pine's buttery feel.
In conclusion, while the KTT Pine linear switch stands out with its rich sound profile and exceptionally smooth feel, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch lacks detailed specifications in these areas, leading to some uncertainty. Nonetheless, both switches aim to deliver a high-quality typing experience, with the Pine being particularly favorable for those seeking deeper auditory richness and seamless keystroke fluidity. While they may cater to slightly different preferences, the expectation of smooth action remains a common trait in both, fostering an enjoyable typing environment regardless of choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, you should consider your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a more substantial feel under your fingers, the KTT Pine with its 58 grams bottom-out force offers a medium-heavy experience that responds well to your typing pressure. These switches are known for their buttery smoothness and creamy, seamless keystrokes, making them ideal if you value both comfort and an enjoyable auditory experience, given their rich, bassy sound profile. Conversely, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option that still delivers exceptional performance, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie might be your best bet. Although its exact bottom-out force isn't specified, it is designed as a medium-weight switch that provides a thocky sound and smooth key travel, fitting well for various typing styles without breaking the bank. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a tactile experience with a pleasing sound or want a more cost-effective switch while still enjoying a high level of smoothness.
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