KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing preferences, two options that stand out are the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile, a tactile switch. The Sea Salt Lemon switch is renowned for its buttery-smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. This linear switch provides a low-pitched, neutral, and mild typing sensation. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch from Wuque Studio offers a captivating and immersive typing journey. Its profound tactile bump, with a tactile force of 70g, adds a satisfying resistance to each keystroke. Furthermore, Wuque's nylon housing contributes to a "thocky" resonance, creating a captivating sound profile. With extensive categories like accented, bouncy, clacky, high-pitched, invigorating, resonant, sharp, and snappy, the WS Heavy Tactile switch caters to those seeking a unique and engaging typing experience. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile both have distinct housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound compared to the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing. The polycarbonate's stiffness allows for a clearer and more resonant sound, making it a favorable choice for those who prefer a crisp sound profile. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon, a classic material known for its sound-absorbing properties. As a result, typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, regardless of the switch type. The nylon's softer plastic composition allows for more sound absorption, creating a duller and rounder sound in comparison to harder plastics. Therefore, whether it's the Sea Salt Lemon or the WS Heavy Tactile, the nylon bottom housing ensures a similar sound experience that enhances the overall typing satisfaction.
It's important to note that the top and bottom housings play distinct roles in the overall performance of a switch. When using either the Sea Salt Lemon or the WS Heavy Tactile, the qualities of the bottom housing will primarily impact the bottom-out sound and the overall feel of pressing down on the switch. The softer nylon material in the bottom housing contributes to a more pronounced sound and a cushioned feel when bottoming out. Conversely, the top housing's material will have a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. So, even though the Sea Salt Lemon and the WS Heavy Tactile may have different top and bottom housing materials, the overall typing experience and sound profile are still carefully balanced to provide satisfying results.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, we can see some notable differences. The Sea Salt Lemon switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light switch. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch does not specify its actuation force, but it has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is lighter than the Sea Salt Lemon.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the WS Heavy Tactile switch might be the better option as its bottom out force is lighter than the Sea Salt Lemon. This can be beneficial for those who need to type for extended periods, such as in a work or gaming setting. However, for individuals who seek a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its slightly higher bottom out force might be more suitable. It is worth noting that without knowing the actuation force of the WS Heavy Tactile switch, we cannot directly compare it to the Sea Salt Lemon in terms of actuation force. Nevertheless, if the actuation forces are similar, we can expect to achieve similar results in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch have different travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon having a travel distance of 4 mm and the WS Heavy Tactile having a travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Sea Salt Lemon's travel distance of 4 mm is considered a more traditional length, offering a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile's travel distance of 3.2 mm is slightly shorter, catering to individuals who prefer a faster response time, such as gamers. If you prioritize responsiveness, the WS Heavy Tactile may be the preferred option for you. However, some users may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial and hearty key press experience, the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel when interacting with the keyboard.
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 Heavy Tactile 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is best described as low-pitched and neutral. The low-pitched sound profile of these switches offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the neutral sound profile of the Sea Salt Lemon makes it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use these switches at home or work.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch offers a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and snappy sound, giving a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory feedback. The higher-pitched sound profile of the WS Heavy Tactile switches provides a clean and sharp typing experience, enhancing the overall auditory immersion.
Turning to feel, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a mild typing experience. With its gentle characteristics, these switches offer a safe and approachable feel for most users. The sound and feel of the Sea Salt Lemon switches stand in a middle-ground zone, ensuring a pleasant typing experience without overwhelming tactile feedback.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch offers an accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. These switches provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle, making them a medium-tactile option. With a bouncy and lively feedback sensation, the keys offer a spring-like rebound when pressed. Furthermore, the WS Heavy Tactile switches have a strong and crisp tactile bump, allowing for a distinct and reactive typing sensation.
Considering the available information, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch offer contrasting qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Salt Lemon provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, with a mild and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile offers a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, with an accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. These switches cater to different preferences, allowing users to choose the one that aligns with their desired typing experience. However, if you prefer a similar low-pitched and neutral sound profile along with a mild typing experience, you can expect similar results from the Sea Salt Lemon linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and buttery typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches are known for their progressive spring and dry-lube design, which contribute to their smoothness. Additionally, Sea Salt Lemons have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments and preferences.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more engaging and tactile typing experience with a light bottom out force, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch would be a great option. These switches offer a pronounced tactile bump with a satisfying resistance of 70g, creating a captivating typing journey. Additionally, the WS Heavy Tactile switches have a clacky and resonant sound profile, adding to the immersive auditory feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches depends on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. If you prioritize smoothness and a neutral sound profile, go for the Sea Salt Lemons. If you prefer a more tactile experience with a clacky and resonant sound, the WS Heavy Tactile switches are the way to go. Consider your typing style, environment, and preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
