KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices to compare and contrast are the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Dareu Sky V4, both linear switches. The Sea Salt Lemon is celebrated for its buttery smooth typing experience due to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, making it a favorite among users who prefer a 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Mild' switch. On the other hand, the Sky V4 stands out for its use of POK material in the top housing, offering typists a deeper sound signature along with a smooth linear action, catering to those who enjoy a 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy' typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Dareu Sky V4, we see differences in their top housing materials. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Sky V4 boasts a POK top housing that contributes to smooth, clacky, and durable switches. While both materials are known for their durability, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate offers a more resonant sound profile, whereas the Sky V4's POK material provides a smoother typing experience.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing materials of these two switches, we see similarities rather than differences. Both the Sea Salt Lemon and the Sky V4 utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The properties of nylon, being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, help create a duller and rounder sound on both switches. Therefore, users can expect a consistent sound and feel when pressing down on keys, regardless of whether they are using the Sea Salt Lemon or the Sky V4.
In conclusion, the choice of housing materials for the top and bottom of a switch can significantly impact the sound and feel of typing on a mechanical keyboard. While the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper sound profile and the Sky V4's POK top housing provides a smoother typing experience, both switches share the benefits of nylon bottom housings that result in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Ultimately, users will need to consider their preferences for sound and feel when choosing between these two switches.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch reveals that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Sky V4 has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making the Sky V4 slightly heavier. The actuation force of both switches being the same means that users will get similar results in terms of sensitivity when typing. The lighter actuation force of these switches makes them ideal for those who type for long periods, such as during work or gaming sessions. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Sky V4 may be preferred. Both switches offer a medium-light feel overall.
Travel distance
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Sky V4 has a slightly shorter distance compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon being on the longer side and the Sky V4 being slightly shorter. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Sky V4, while those who enjoy a deeper key press may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 for $4.76.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral typing experience, with a bass-heavy and mellow tone, suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch provides a thocky and deep sound profile, thanks to its unique POK material top housing, offering a rich and satisfying typing experience. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, but the Sky V4 stands out with its thocky sound signature. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a mild typing experience, providing a gentle and approachable feel for most users. In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 switch boasts a bouncy sensation, giving a spring-like and lively feedback when keys are pressed. While the Sea Salt Lemon switch falls on the mild side, the Sky V4 introduces a more dynamic and bouncy feel to typing. Ultimately, deciding between a mild and bouncy typing experience comes down to personal preference and typing style.
In conclusion, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and Dareu Sky V4 linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Salt Lemon excels in providing a smooth and neutral typing experience with a low-pitched sound, while the Sky V4 stands out with its deep thocky sound and bouncy feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, and choosing between them will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. Both switches promise a premium linear typing experience, ensuring that users will achieve similar high-quality results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when making a choice between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force, a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, and a mild typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bottom out force that is slightly heavier, a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, and a bouncy typing experience, the Sky V4 could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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