KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Gateron Weightlessness present two distinct options for different typing preferences. The Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch, is renowned for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT’s dry-lube design. Its low-pitched and neutral sound profile enhances the overall user experience, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who prefer a silent and seamless keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switch offers a tactile feel with a subtle to moderate bump, catering to those who enjoy a more engaged typing experience. Its balanced sound profile complements the tactile feedback, allowing users to enjoy both the satisfaction of feeling their keystrokes and an enjoyable acoustic response. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to personal preference: whether you prioritize a smooth and quiet typing experience or the satisfaction of tactile feedback. 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
50g
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
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch and the Gateron Weightlessness switch exhibit distinct characteristics due to their differing housing materials. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which enhances the resonance and clarity of the sound produced when a key is released. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness employs nylon as its top housing material. Nylon’s softer composition leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, which can absorb sound, resulting in a rounder auditory experience. While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, the divergence in their top materials significantly influences their overall sound and tactile feedback when typing.
Despite the differences in their top housings, both the Sea Salt Lemon and the Weightlessness switches share similarities in their bottom housings, both made of nylon. This common material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, incorporating the softer characteristics of nylon to dampen vibrations. As a result, both switches deliver a consistent and satisfying typing experience, particularly when pressed down. The bottom housing's influence is more pronounced in the bottom-out sound and feel, making it a key player in the overall typing experience. Thus, while the top housing varies between the two switches, the benefits and qualities of nylon in the bottom housing ensure that both switches maintain some level of harmonious feedback.
Ultimately, the contrasting top housing materials culminate in a diverse auditory and tactile experience between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and Gateron Weightlessness switches. The sharper and clearer sound generated by the polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon could appeal to users preferring a more pronounced key release, while the softer, fuller sound profile of the Weightlessness may attract those who favor a muted and rich typing experience. However, with their shared nylon bottom housings, both switches promise a consistent feel during key presses, thereby ensuring that even with different acoustics, users can achieve a satisfying typing sensation in both cases.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it a medium-light switch that can facilitate longer typing sessions with less effort. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. While the Sea Salt Lemon also has a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a clear feedback at keypresses, the Weightlessness switch’s bottom out force remains unknown, which leaves some uncertainties regarding its overall tactile feedback. As a result, the Sea Salt Lemon is the lighter option, making it better suited for extended use, while the Weightlessness, with its greater actuation force, may cater to those who favor a firmer keystroke response.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, one can observe a notable difference. The KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional depth many typists prefer for a robust key press experience. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness features a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, which caters to those who favor quicker, more responsive keystrokes, often favored by gamers. Therefore, if you are seeking a more pronounced feeling with each keystroke, the Sea Salt Lemon is the better choice due to its longer travel distance. Conversely, if faster response times are paramount, the Weightlessness switch may be more suitable. This distinction in travel distance means that the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provides a heftier typing experience, while the Gateron Weightlessness caters to those who prefer a lighter touch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which provides a pleasant and understated auditory experience. The low pitch offers a bass-heavy and mellow tone that can create a calming atmosphere during typing. This quality is further complemented by its neutral characteristics, making the switch versatile enough for various environments and users, from novices to seasoned typists. The sound of the Sea Salt Lemon is both unobtrusive and satisfying, making it suitable for both home and office settings. While the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch does not have a defined sound profile provided, it's important to note that tactile switches generally have a more pronounced tactile bump that can add some level of noise during actuation. Depending on the board and keycaps used, the Weightlessness switches may exhibit a balanced sound that aligns with their tactile nature.
In terms of feel, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a buttery smooth typing experience, largely due to its progressive spring design and dry-lube application. This contributes to a fluid typing sensation that eliminates any scratchiness or interruptions, making it a phenomenal choice for those who prioritize smoothness. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness switches deliver a subtle to moderate tactile feedback, which can enhance typing accuracy by providing a gentle reminder of actuation without overwhelming the user. The balance between tactile feel and smoothness can cater to users who enjoy a hint of feedback without the jarring sensations that can come from more pronounced tactile switches.
In conclusion, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and Gateron Weightlessness switches cater to different preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboards. The Sea Salt Lemon excels in delivering a smooth and pleasant auditory and tactile experience, ideal for users seeking fluidity in their keystrokes, while the Weightlessness offers a satisfactory tactile response paired with a potentially balanced sound profile. While the Sea Salt Lemon focuses on smoothness and neutral sound, the Weightlessness caters to those who appreciate tactile feedback. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference, and users will find satisfaction with whichever switch resonates with their typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a buttery smooth typing experience and prefer a softer touch, the Sea Salt Lemon with its medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams may be ideal for you. Its low-pitched sound profile is also perfect if you're seeking a mellow acoustic environment, making it suitable for both home and work settings. On the other hand, if you like a subtle tactile feel that provides feedback with each keystroke, the Weightlessness switch might be more aligned with your needs. Although its bottom-out force is unknown, the tactile characteristics and balanced sound profile cater well to those who appreciate a bit of response in their typing. In short, choose the Sea Salt Lemon for a fluid experience and a quiet environment, while the Weightlessness will satisfy those who enjoy a tactile sensation and a little more auditory feedback.
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