KTT Purple Star vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the KTT Purple Star and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Purple Star and the Durock Sea Glass mechanical keyboard switches, both linear options offer a smooth typing experience but with unique characteristics that set them apart. The Purple Star's all-POM construction provides a buttery typing feel with a low-pitched sound, making it a great choice for light typists who prefer easy-to-press keys. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches from Durock feature a captivating pastel color selection and a proprietary material blend that results in a dry, airy typing experience with a frictionless feel. Although both switches are easy-to-press and fall under the mild category, their distinct characteristics call for a closer examination to determine the best fit for your typing preferences. 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Purple Star and the Durock Sea Glass both offer unique sound profiles, with the Purple Star featuring a POM top and bottom housing while the Sea Glass has a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both top and bottom. The Purple Star's POM housing creates a deeper and relatively more muted sound, whereas the Sea Glass's blend offers a brighter sound that is not particularly sharp. While both switches aim to provide a pleasing sound experience, the differences in housing materials result in distinct tonal qualities.
In terms of the top housing, the POM material in the Purple Star and the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend in the Sea Glass offer contrasting properties. The POM top housing of the Purple Star creates a deeper sound profile, while the blend in the Sea Glass tends to be on the brighter side. This difference in material composition leads to varying sound characteristics when typing on the switches, catering to different preferences in sound aesthetics. Despite this contrast, both switches aim to provide a unique and pleasant typing experience through their top housing materials.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the differences in material composition between the Purple Star's POM and the Sea Glass's blend also play a significant role in the overall sound profile of the switches. The POM bottom housing of the Purple Star contributes to a more muted sound, while the blend in the Sea Glass results in a pleasant and bright tone. These differences highlight how the choice of housing materials can impact the typing experience, as the qualities of the bottom housing influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Despite these distinctions, both switches aim to provide a unique and enjoyable typing experience through their housing materials.
Weight
The KTT Purple Star linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Purple Star switch, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch offers a more substantial typing feel due to its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches provide a different typing experience based on the weight preference of the user, with the Purple Star being on the lighter side and the Sea Glass leaning towards a medium weight. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force.
Travel distance
The KTT Purple Star linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Durock Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Purple Star. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prioritize faster response times, such as gamers. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to those who prefer a more significant depth when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
The KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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 KTT Purple Star linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone that can provide a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch presents a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds a touch of distinctiveness to your typing sessions. Both switches provide interesting sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience, with the Purple Star offering a lower pitch and the Sea Glass offering a hollow tone.
In terms of feel, the Purple Star linear switch is described as mild and easy-to-press, providing a gentle typing experience with minimal force required for key presses. This makes it ideal for light typists who prefer a more effortless typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is characterized by its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities, offering an exceptionally smooth and light typing experience that reduces finger fatigue and strain. Both switches offer a comfortable typing feel, with the Sea Glass providing a slightly lighter and smoother experience compared to the Purple Star.
In conclusion, both the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Purple Star excels in its low-pitched sound profile and easy-to-press feel, making it a great choice for light typists looking for a smooth and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass stands out with its distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in sound and its frictionless and feathery feel, providing a weightless and effortless typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can deliver satisfying results for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Purple Star linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you are a light typist looking for a buttery smooth typing experience with a light 50g bottom-out force, the Purple Star may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a unique typing experience with a weightless feel and a distinct dry, wispy sound signature, despite the slightly higher 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switch may be more suited to your preferences. Both switches offer their own set of characteristics and qualities, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels best for your typing style.
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