KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi, two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct advantages for discerning typists. The Sea Salt Lemon boasts a buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, these switches provide a delightful tactile feedback. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches present a visually stunning innovation, featuring a light-diffusing column that enhances RGB visuals with a mesmerizing effect. With a unique dry and airy smoothness, courtesy of the UPE stem and a medium weight feel, they strike the perfect balance between form and function. While the Sea Salt Lemon offers a more traditional and mild typing experience, the WS Morandi switches provide a slightly more muted sound profile and a creaminess that sets them apart. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
UPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi differ in their choice of housing materials. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Morandi utilizes a POM top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Sea Salt Lemon creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This is particularly advantageous if you plan on using RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency allows for a more vibrant display. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the WS Morandi produces a unique and pleasing sound profile that leans towards the deeper and more muted side.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Sea Salt Lemon incorporates a nylon bottom housing, whereas the WS Morandi utilizes a POM bottom housing. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material, and its softer plastic composition absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Conversely, the POM bottom housing of the WS Morandi contributes to the same unique and pleasing sound profile as its top housing, emphasizing deeper tones and adding a sense of mutedness to the overall sound.
Despite their differing top and bottom housing materials, both the Sea Salt Lemon and the WS Morandi aim to create unique and pleasing sound profiles. The distinct qualities imparted by their housing materials add depth and character to the typing experience. Additionally, depending on whether you press down on a key or release it, the specific housing material used in each switch will have a varying impact on the resulting sound and feel. However, it is important to note that both switches are designed to provide an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience, albeit with differing sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, which falls into the medium-light range. On the other hand, the exact actuation force for the WS Morandi is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered medium.
In terms of weight, both switches offer different options for different preferences. The Sea Salt Lemon's lighter actuation and bottom out forces make it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, enabling them to type for longer periods without fatigue. This could be ideal for individuals using the keyboard for work or engaging in extended gaming sessions.
In contrast, the WS Morandi offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. For users who appreciate a stronger push feel and desire a more tactile response while typing, this could be the preferred choice. It provides a certain level of satisfaction and reassurance with each keystroke.
While the actuation force for the WS Morandi is not available, one can assume that the overall typing experience with this switch would be similar to the Sea Salt Lemon due to their shared medium classification for bottom out force. Although the weights may not be identical, both switches fall into the medium range, providing a decent balance between light and heavy typing experiences.
In conclusion, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a lighter overall typing experience with its medium-light actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preferences, with lighter weights being preferred for longer typing sessions and heavier weights for those seeking a more satisfying tactile response.
Travel distance
The Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the WS Morandi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. The Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the WS Morandi. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Sea Salt Lemon is considered more traditional, providing a balanced depth of travel. On the other hand, the 3.5mm travel distance of the WS Morandi is slightly shallower, which can be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Shorter travel distances are becoming more prevalent in the market, catering to those who value quick responsiveness. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. For those who prefer a more substantial key press, the switch with the longer travel distance would be the better choice. Overall, it ultimately depends on personal preference whether one prefers a shorter or longer travel distance, as both options offer their own advantages.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Wuque Studio WS Morandi has an MSRP of $4.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Morandi for $3.90.
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, both the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches have low-pitched characteristics, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Sea Salt Lemon has a neutral sound profile, meaning it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches have a slightly more muted sound profile, with a subdued sound that produces a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. Additionally, the WS Morandi switches are also described as thocky, which means they produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released.
When it comes to feel, the Sea Salt Lemon switches offer a mild typing experience. This means they provide a more gentle and approachable typing experience, with qualities that stand in a safe, middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches have a buttery, creamy, and silky feel. The buttery characteristic implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The creamy characteristic is often due to lubricant applied at the factory, offering a silky sensation that allows for easy gliding of fingers across the keys. The silky characteristic enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Considering all the available information, the Sea Salt Lemon and WS Morandi switches offer different subjective qualities. The Sea Salt Lemon provides a buttery smooth typing experience with a neutral sound profile and a mild feel. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches offer innovation in visual aesthetics, with a light column that enhances RGB visuals and a more muted sound profile. They also have a buttery, creamy, and silky feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, and while they may have some overlapping qualities, such as low-pitched sounds, they will deliver different results overall. Depending on personal preferences and the desired typing experience, one switch may be more suitable than the other.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience and a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is for you. With its progressive spring and dry-lube design, these switches provide a lovely representation of what a linear switch can be. On the other hand, if you value innovation, visual aesthetics, and a slightly muted sound profile, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch is the way to go. These switches feature a unique dry, airy, and wispy smoothness, as well as a mesmerizing light diffusion effect. While both switches have a low-pitched sound profile, the WS Morandi offers a more subdued and thocky sound when pressed. In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a mild typing experience that is approachable to most, while the WS Morandi offers a buttery and potentially creamy and silky typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and aesthetics.