KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. The Sea Salt Lemon is a linear switch that is widely recognized for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a pleasant and consistent feel. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is also a linear switch, but it provides a different experience. Known for its smooth and high-pitched typing feel, this switch features a transparent polycarbonate top housing and a UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for maximum customization of RGB lighting. Additionally, the POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Categorized as buttery, mild, high-pitched, and polished, the WS Aurora Clear offers a unique and visually appealing option for keyboard enthusiasts. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, specifically their polycarbonate top housings, offer similar benefits. Both switches utilize polycarbonate, a relatively stiff plastic, to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also makes it highly suitable for RGB lighting, thanks to its translucency. Therefore, users can expect comparable sound qualities and aesthetic appeal when using either of these switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing materials, the Sea Salt Lemon features a nylon housing while the WS Aurora Clear utilizes UHWMPE. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing offers a very bright sound signature, providing resonant clacks when typing. These differences in bottom housing materials lead to variations in the overall sound produced by the switches.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by the top and bottom housing materials get divided based on their respective locations on the switch. Pressing down on the switch will primarily manifest the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a more significant impact on the sound when releasing a key. So, while the top housings of the Sea Salt Lemon and WS Aurora Clear are similar in terms of material, their differing bottom housing materials contribute to variations in the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Sea Salt Lemon has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with a gentle touch. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 53 grams. This means that typists who prefer a slightly more substantial push feel may lean towards the WS Aurora Clear for a more tactile experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Sea Salt Lemon has a force of 53 grams, which is only slightly heavier than its actuation force. This means that the switch offers a consistent and relatively uniform force throughout the keystroke process. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a heavier key press required to fully engage the switch. This could potentially result in a more satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a more substantial feel when bottoming out.
Considering the weight factor, those who prioritize a lighter typing experience may find the Sea Salt Lemon more suitable for extended periods of typing, such as at work or during long gaming sessions. Alternatively, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience may opt for the WS Aurora Clear due to its heavier forces.
In conclusion, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a lighter actuation force and a relatively consistent bottom out force, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch provides a heavier actuation force and a slightly heavier bottom out force. This comparison allows users to choose a switch that aligns with their preferred typing experience, whether they prioritize a lighter, more effortless keystroke or a stronger, more tactile engagement.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, we can see that they have slightly different measurements. The Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Aurora Clear has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, both of these switches fall within the acceptable range. The Sea Salt Lemon is slightly longer, offering a more substantial depth when pressing down on a key, while the WS Aurora Clear is slightly shorter, providing a faster response time for gamers who prefer a quicker keystroke. It ultimately comes down to personal preference - if you prefer a responsive and faster typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear would be a suitable choice. However, if you enjoy a more substantial and deep keystroke, the Sea Salt Lemon would be the preferable option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00.
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 Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. In terms of sound, it has a low-pitched profile, which means it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This makes it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a mild typing experience, providing a gentle and approachable sensation. Overall, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a smooth and mellow typing experience with a low-pitched sound and a mild feel.
On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is best known for its smooth and high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. In terms of sound, the WS Aurora Clear produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, thanks to its high-pitched profile. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer a more rich and sharp sound. In terms of feel, the WS Aurora Clear offers a buttery and mild typing experience, providing a seamless and effortless sensation. Similarly to the Sea Salt Lemon, it also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, while the Sea Salt Lemon and WS Aurora Clear linear switches have some similarities in terms of their mild feel, they offer different sound profiles. The Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched sound, while the WS Aurora Clear has a high-pitched sound. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience and have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can choose between the Sea Salt Lemon for a mellow and low-pitched experience, or the WS Aurora Clear for a sharp and high-pitched experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-light switch with a buttery smooth typing experience, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is a great choice. With its progressive spring and dry-lube design, these switches offer a delightful typing experience. They also have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most situations. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a high-pitched typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear is the way to go. These switches are known for their smooth keystrokes and maximum RGB lighting customization. They produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, perfect for those who enjoy a higher-pitched sound profile. Overall, both switches offer different experiences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Mentioned in this article
