Jerrzi Salt Ice vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Salt Ice and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Salt Ice and the SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Salt Ice switch is renowned for its bright and clacky characteristics, along with a light touch that provides vibrant feedback and effortless actuation, making it ideal for users seeking an energetic and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch is known for its delicate typing experience, perfect for those who type for extended periods. Its material blend creates a crisp sound profile, appealing to users looking for a more subtle and polished typing feel. While both switches have their strengths and cater to different typing preferences, delving deeper into their specific qualities will help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice and the SP-Star Yanyu switches offer unique characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Salt Ice features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material is particularly suitable for switches designed for RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual effects. In contrast, the Yanyu switch utilizes a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is described as bright but not overly sharp.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these switches, the polycarbonate material used in the Salt Ice contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound when pressed. Similarly, the Yanyu's unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its bottom housing offers a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. The differences in material composition between the top and bottom housings of these switches provide a combination of characteristics that affect the overall sound and feel when typing.
Despite the distinct qualities of their housing materials, both the Jerrzi Salt Ice and the SP-Star Yanyu switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. While the Salt Ice's polycarbonate housing offers a sharper sound profile, the Yanyu's unique blend delivers a pleasant and bright sound. Whether the focus is on creating a clear and resonant sound (Salt Ice) or a more balanced and bright sound (Yanyu), the choice of housing material plays a vital role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is evident that there are some differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Salt Ice has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a moderate amount of resistance for typing or gaming. In contrast, the Yanyu's actuation force is not specified, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the bottom out force of the Yanyu is 43 grams, which is on the lighter side. This suggests that the Yanyu may offer a slightly lighter typing experience compared to the Salt Ice. In terms of weight, both switches have their advantages - the Salt Ice may be preferred by those who enjoy a slightly heavier key press, while the Yanyu could be a better option for users looking for a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Salt Ice offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for fast and precise key presses. On the other hand, the Yanyu provides a slightly deeper key press experience with its longer travel distance, which may be favored by individuals who prefer a more substantial feeling when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether a shorter or longer travel distance is preferred for optimal typing or gaming performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch stands out for its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, creating a vibrant feedback that is sure to make a statement during typing sessions. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement that is suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors like the keyboard and keycaps used, so personal preference plays a significant role in determining which sound profile is most appealing.
When it comes to feel, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switch is praised for its light touch and effortless actuation, providing users with a responsive typing experience that is both energetic and precise. In contrast, the SP-Star Yanyu switch offers a more gentle typing experience, described as mild and feathery, with light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Yanyu switch is noted for its subtle and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience that is comfortable for shared spaces.
Overall, both the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and needs. While the Salt Ice switch excels in providing a bright and clacky sound profile accompanied by a responsive typing experience, the Yanyu switch offers a more delicate sound and feel that is comfortable for extended use. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific requirements of the user, ensuring that they will achieve satisfying results regardless of which option they choose.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you are looking for. If you are seeking a bright and clacky typing experience with vibrant feedback and effortless actuation, the Salt Ice switch would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a more delicate typing experience with a crisp sound profile and light actuation force for extended typing sessions, the Yanyu switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice should align with your personal preferences and typing needs to ensure an enjoyable and comfortable typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
