KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Brown. The Sea Salt Lemon is a linear switch, known for its smooth typing experience thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. With a low-pitched, neutral, and mild feel, this switch offers a satisfyingly buttery experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown is a tactile switch that strikes a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort. Its medium-light actuation force ensures fatigue-free typing, making it ideal for long sessions. Enthusiasts particularly appreciate its familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination, which creates a delightful and familiar auditory 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
N/A
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
3.80 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
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-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Brown has a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a relatively softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. While these materials have different characteristics, they both contribute to enhancing the sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Sea Salt Lemon and the WS Brown use nylon as the material. Nylon, being a classic switch housing material, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softness allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar sound experience when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel. It's worth noting that the impact of the bottom housing is more noticeable when pressing down on the switch.
Overall, the polycarbonate top housing of the Sea Salt Lemon and the nylon top housing of the WS Brown offer distinct sound profiles. Polycarbonate creates a sharper and crisper sound, while nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound. However, both materials contribute to improving the sound quality of the switches. Similarly, the nylon bottom housings of both switches share the characteristics of creating a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials depends on personal preference and the desired sound profile for typing or gaming experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Sea Salt Lemon requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the exact force for the WS Brown is unavailable. Both switches can be considered medium-light in this aspect.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams of force to fully press the switch, while the WS Brown requires 55 grams. Here we can see that the WS Brown is slightly heavier than the Sea Salt Lemon.
Considering weight, some may prefer a lighter switch like the Sea Salt Lemon for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force allows for smoother and quicker keystrokes. On the other hand, there are individuals who prefer a heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. These users may opt for switches with heavier forces like the WS Brown, which requires a slightly higher bottom out force.
In summary, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly lighter bottom out force compared to the Wuque Studio WS Brown, but both switches have similar actuation forces in the medium-light range. Therefore, if a user desires a similar typing experience, they can expect comparable results from both switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch to the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, a difference of 0.2 mm is observed. The Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance, while the WS Brown has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Sea Salt Lemon the longer option. Generally, shorter travel distances are favored by gamers looking for faster response times, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, some individuals prefer a deeper key press and may find the shorter distance to be too abrupt. In terms of responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the WS Brown will provide similar results to the Sea Salt Lemon. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding depth and responsiveness.
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 Brown comes in at $3.50.
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, the Sea Salt Lemon is described as having a low-pitched and neutral tone. Low-pitched switches typically have a more bass-heavy and mellow sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes. Additionally, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a mild typing experience, providing a gentle feel that most users will find approachable. As for the WS Brown tactile switch, there is no information provided about its sound or feel. However, based on the provided information, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch appears to be a solid option for those looking for a smooth and neutral sounding switch, with a comfortable and mild typing feel. While we don't have specific details about the WS Brown, it is possible that it may provide comparable results in terms of feel and sound if it is also designed with similar qualities. Ultimately, the choice between the Sea Salt Lemon and WS Brown switches will depend on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch that provides a buttery smooth typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is an excellent choice. These switches are known for their progressive spring and dry-lube design, offering a delightful tactile experience. Additionally, their low-pitched and neutral sound profile makes them suitable for various environments and typing preferences. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a similar medium-light bottom out force, the Wuque Studio WS Brown is a fantastic option. These switches strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. With their familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination, they offer a familiar and delightful auditory experience. Ultimately, the decision between these switches depends on whether you prefer a linear or tactile typing experience, as well as the specific qualities and sound characteristics that suit your typing preferences.