KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Huano Strawberry Latte both offer unique experiences that cater to different typing preferences, despite being categorized as linear switches. The Sea Salt Lemon is celebrated for its buttery smooth typing experience, attributed to its progressive spring mechanism and KTT's innovative dry-lube design. Its low-pitched, neutral sound profile makes it a great option for those seeking a typing experience that is easy on the ears and consistent in feel. Conversely, the Huano Strawberry Latte boasts a superbly smooth operation enhanced by the latest molds from Huano, delivering a balanced sound profile that sits comfortably between quiet and resonant. This switch leans towards users who appreciate a bit more character in their typing sound without being overwhelming. Both switches present compelling reasons to choose them, depending on whether you prioritize a serene experience or a touch of auditory engagement. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Standard
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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Huano Strawberry Latte, we find a clear distinction between their top housings. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This quality is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for a more resonant audio experience. Additionally, its translucence enhances its compatibility with RGB lighting, making it an aesthetically preferable choice for enthusiasts who desire vibrant key illumination. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte utilizes a POK top housing, characterized by its high smoothness and superior durability. The POK material's wear resistance and shock resistance provide a more robust performance under heavy usage, contributing to a smooth and clacky typing experience. Thus, while both switches utilize different materials, their unique qualities cater to different sound profiles and user preferences.
Despite the differences in their top housings, both switches share a nylon bottom housing. This uniform material has a notable impact on the overall sound profile of both switches, producing a deeper and fuller sound when typing. Nylon's softer composition allows it to absorb more sound than the harder materials like polycarbonate and POK, resulting in a more muted and rounded audio experience when the keys bottom out. Since both switches use nylon for their bottom housings, users can expect a similar tactile feedback and sound dampening effect from both models, providing a harmonious balance between their respective top and bottom housings.
Considering the combined effect of the housing materials, both the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Huano Strawberry Latte offer distinct yet complementary auditory experiences. The differing properties of their top housings influence the key release sounds, while the nylon bottoms ground both switches in a familiar sound signature that emphasizes bass. Collectively, these combinations inform how typing feels and sounds, providing unique character to each switch while still delivering a depth of sound and feel that typists can appreciate. Therefore, while individual preferences may lean toward one switch over the other based on top housing material, the shared nylon bottom guarantees some overarching consistency in performance.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Sea Salt Lemon features a medium-light actuation force of 45 grams, alongside a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Strawberry Latte offers a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This indicates that the Strawberry Latte is not only lighter overall but also requires less force to actuate a keystroke compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. This makes the Strawberry Latte more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, ideal for extended use such as typing at work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon, with its heavier forces, provides a more substantial push feel which might be preferred by those looking for a more tactile experience. Thus, while both switches serve their own appeal depending on user preference, the Sea Salt Lemon is heavier, contributing to a firmer typing experience, whereas the Strawberry Latte caters to those seeking a gentler touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the Sea Salt Lemon features a distance of 4 mm, while the Strawberry Latte has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference indicates that the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more traditional typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a deeper feel when pressing keys. Conversely, the shorter 3.6 mm travel distance of the Strawberry Latte may offer quicker response times, making it more suitable for gamers or those who favor fast-paced typing. Ultimately, if you seek a more responsive experience, the Huano Strawberry Latte would be the better choice, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is ideal for those who enjoy a fuller keystroke sensation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Strawberry Latte has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Strawberry Latte 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch produces a low-pitched and neutral tone, creating a typing experience that is bass-heavy and mellow without being overly resonant. This balanced sound profile is versatile, making it suitable for a variety of environments, whether you're at home or in an office. On the other hand, while the sound profile of the Huano Strawberry Latte has not been explicitly detailed, the switch is characterized as having a balanced sound profile. This suggests that it may share some qualities with the Sea Salt Lemon, resulting in a typing experience that is neither excessively loud nor completely silent, allowing for a comfortable and non-disruptive use.
In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon's mild characteristics offer a gentle typing experience. It leverages a progressive spring design and KTT’s dry-lube application, which together provide a smooth glide as you press each key. This soft feedback makes the switch approachable for users of all skill levels. The Huano Strawberry Latte, while its tactile feedback has not been specified, is also known for super smooth operation due to the utilization of the latest available molds from Huano. Although we lack specific descriptors for its feel, the focus on smoothness hints that it may provide a similarly comfortable typing experience akin to the Sea Salt Lemon.
In summary, both the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches are designed with smoothness in mind, making them excellent options for users seeking a pleasant typing experience. While the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized by its low-pitched, neutral sound and mild feel, the Strawberry Latte's sound characteristics remain unspecified. However, its smoothness suggests it could offer a comparable experience. Ultimately, choosing between these two will depend on personal preference regarding sound and feel, but either switch will likely yield satisfying results for a newcomer to mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches, it’s essential to consider your typing preferences and use case. If you prefer a more tactile experience with a medium-light actuation force and enjoy a smooth typing feel combined with a low-pitched sound, the Sea Salt Lemon would be an excellent choice. Its buttery smooth action and mild characteristics make it suitable for both work and leisure, providing a balanced experience that won't overwhelm you or those around you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an even lighter actuation force and a sound profile that is balanced and not overly resonant, the Strawberry Latte could be your go-to option. Its lightweight nature may promote faster typing speeds for gamers and typists alike, making it a favorable choice if quick and effortless keystrokes are a priority. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your personal typing style and where you intend to use the keyboard, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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