Huano Sakura vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Huano Sakura and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring mechanical keyboard switches, two noteworthy contenders emerge: the Huano Sakura and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both of which are linear switches designed to enhance your typing experience. The Huano Sakura is celebrated for its feather-light touch and medium acoustics, making it an excellent choice for users who engage in long typing sessions without the fatigue associated with heavier switches. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon distinguishes itself with its progressive spring mechanism and unique dry-lube design, offering a buttery smooth experience that many typists admire. While the Sakura allows for ease of use and comfort over extended periods, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a delightful tactile response that could enhance both typing and gaming. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Huano Sakura and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches, the difference in their top housings is notable, primarily due to the materials used. The Sakura employs polyketone (POK) for its top housing, which offers a smooth operation with a coefficient of friction of 0.04, only slightly higher than the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing with a coefficient of 0.03. POK is recognized for its exceptional durability and shock resistance, making it a premier choice for tactile switches. In contrast, the polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon allows for a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer composition. This difference in material properties indicates that while both switches can provide satisfying performance, the sound profile and tactile feedback will differ, with POK fostering a smoother interaction, and polycarbonate promoting a more resonant tone.
Both switches share nylon as their bottom housing material, which means that their overall auditory experience shares a commonality. Since nylon is a classic choice renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, both the Sakura and Sea Salt Lemon will likely deliver a rich aural experience during typing. This similarity in bottom housing will ensure that the deeper tones created resonate similarly across the two switches, even though the upper housing materials—POK for the Sakura and polycarbonate for the Sea Salt Lemon—offer distinct characteristics. Consequently, while the top housings contribute uniquely to the overall sound quality, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that the foundational sound is comparable.
Ultimately, the combination of the different top housing materials with the same nylon bottom housing provides insight into how the sound profiles of both switches can be appreciated in distinct contexts. When a user types on either switch, the nylon material absorbs sound and enhances deeper frequencies, delivering a satisfying ground tone regardless of the top housing distinction. Thus, while pressing down on either switch, the experience will be defined by the softness and depth of the nylon, while the release will showcase the unique tonal qualities derived from the POK or polycarbonate. This interplay highlights how individual materials can contribute differently yet harmoniously to the overall typing experience, showcasing the innovative design approaches of both the Huano Sakura and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Sakura linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces can be observed. The Sakura switch features a light actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who favor lighter switches for longer typing sessions or extensive gaming. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. This makes the Sea Salt Lemon switch more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Overall, the Sakura switch is the lighter option, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a heavier experience, catering to different preferences in typing dynamics.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Sakura linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there is a noticeable difference between the two. The Huano Sakura has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon extends to 4 mm. This makes the Sakura the shorter option, offering a more responsive typing experience that may appeal to gamers or users seeking quick response times. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon, with its longer travel distance, provides a deeper feel that some users may prefer for its more pronounced feedback during key presses. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for responsiveness or depth in typing feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
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 Huano Sakura linear switch has a medium acoustic profile that makes it suitable for most typing scenarios, striking a balance that allows it to be a more versatile choice for both home and office use. Without a specific description regarding its sound characteristics, we can infer that while it may not stand out in terms of noise levels, it likely provides a smooth and pleasant auditory experience. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched sound that offers a bass-heavy, mellow tone, combined with a neutral sound profile. This makes it an appealing option for those who prefer quieter switches that still deliver a solid auditory experience without causing significant distraction, especially useful in shared workspaces.
In terms of feel, the Sakura switch is noted for its feather-light touch, which can facilitate extended typing sessions without causing fatigue. While a detailed description of the feel of this switch is not present, one can expect it to offer a smooth experience given its design. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon is described as providing a mild feel that is approachable for most users. Its buttery smoothness, courtesy of the progressive spring and dry-lube design, enhances the typing experience, making it gentle on the fingers and reducing the likelihood of discomfort over long periods of use. Both switches reflect a design philosophy aimed at user comfort, making either a solid choice depending on personal preferences.
Overall, both the Huano Sakura and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches cater to the needs of users looking for smooth and comfortable typing experiences, albeit with different sound profiles and tactile sensations. The Sakura switch is favored for its light actuation and medium acoustics, making it well-suited for long-term typing, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a mellow auditory profile alongside a smooth, mild feel. Ultimately, both switches can deliver satisfying results, allowing users to choose based on sound preference and tactile feedback, with the understanding that both can provide a pleasant typing experience tailored to individual needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Sakura linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you find yourself engaged in extended typing sessions and prefer a lighter touch, the Sakura switch with its 45-gram bottom-out force may be the better choice for you. Its feather-light feel combined with medium acoustics makes it an excellent option for long hours of use, as it minimizes finger fatigue while still providing a satisfying sound profile. On the other hand, if you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience and appreciate a bit more resistance, the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its 53-gram bottom-out force might suit you better. Its low-pitched sound and mild characteristics create a balanced typing experience that is approachable for both beginners and seasoned typists alike. Ultimately, choose the Sakura for its lightness and comfort during prolonged use, and opt for the Sea Salt Lemon if you enjoy a slightly firmer key feel and smooth actuation. Your choice should reflect what feels most comfortable for your typing style and ambient environment.
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