KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Jerrzi Violet present two distinct options to consider. The Sea Salt Lemon is a linear switch, praised for its buttery smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet is a tactile switch, known for its smooth actuation and pleasingly poppy tactility, offering a balanced and enjoyable typing experience. While the Sea Salt Lemon is characterized by its low-pitched and mild feel, the Violet switch stands out with its stepped actuation and neutral sound signature. Both switches have their unique qualities that may appeal to different preferences, making it important to consider specific details beyond just the general characteristics. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and Jerrzi Violet both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound experience for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, while they share this material for the top housing, the Sea Salt Lemon incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Violet's polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon material is softer and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on the Sea Salt Lemon.
In terms of sound and feel, the split between the bottom and top housing materials in a switch can affect the overall typing experience. With the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel will be more prominent, resulting in a deeper and fuller typing experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet's polycarbonate bottom housing may lead to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound. However, both switches will have a similar impact on the sound when letting go of a key, as the polycarbonate top housing is consistent across both models, creating a clear and resonant sound profile.
While the Sea Salt Lemon and Jerrzi Violet have differences in their bottom housing material, their polycarbonate top housing provides a similar sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The choice between nylon and polycarbonate for the bottom housing will ultimately come down to personal preference in sound characteristics. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile with the Sea Salt Lemon's nylon bottom housing or a sharper and crisper sound with the Jerrzi Violet's polycarbonate bottom housing, both switches offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial key press. However, the Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, offering a slightly heavier typing feel compared to the Violet, which does not have a specified bottom out force. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon switch may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a slightly heavier key press. In contrast, the Violet switch may be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience, as the absence of a specified bottom out force suggests a potentially lighter feel when fully pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Sea Salt Lemon offering a heavier typing feel and the Violet likely providing a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly longer. Gamers may prefer the Sea Salt Lemon for its slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more satisfying feel when pressing down on the key. However, those looking for a quicker response time may opt for the Jerrzi Violet with its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral experience, creating a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for various settings. Similarly, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch also provides a neutral sound profile that is pleasing to the ear. This means that both switches will deliver a moderate and balanced sound that can cater to a wide range of users, depending on their preferences and surroundings.
In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch provides a stepped feel, featuring two stages of tactility that give a more nuanced typing sensation. While the Sea Salt Lemon presents a safe middle-ground feel, the Jerrzi Violet offers a slightly more defined tactile feedback for those who prefer a bit more feedback during typing.
Considering the subjective qualities of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Sea Salt Lemon excels in providing a smooth and mellow typing experience with a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option for various environments. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet stands out with its gentle tactile feedback and a stepped feel, offering a more nuanced typing sensation for users who enjoy a bit more tactility. Ultimately, both switches are high-quality options that will deliver a satisfying typing experience, with the choice between them depending on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, you should consider your typing preferences and needs. If you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, then the Sea Salt Lemon may be the ideal choice for you. However, if you enjoy a gentle tactile switch with a pleasingly poppy tactility, a balanced sound signature, and a stepped feel, then the Violet switch may better suit your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable to you.
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