KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Red 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 Red, both of which are linear switches. The Sea Salt Lemon is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, this switch offers a pleasant and calming typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Red showcases a 22mm double-stage spring, providing a bouncy and responsive typing experience. It retains a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend, and with a heavier actuation force, it adds a touch of weight to each keystroke, delivering a satisfying and substantial typing feel. 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
67g
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 and the Wuque Studio WS Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Red utilizes a nylon top housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. In contrast, the WS Red's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. So, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a more clear and resonant sound, the WS Red provides a richer and fuller typing experience.
In terms of their bottom housing materials, both the Sea Salt Lemon and the WS Red employ nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its relatively softer composition, nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel, as the nylon bottom housing brings forth these qualities in both cases.
When it comes to the impact on sound when releasing a key, the top housing material plays a more significant role. The Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing, being translucent, allows for the effective use of RGB lighting and contributes to a sharper and resonant sound when letting go of a key. On the other hand, the WS Red's nylon top housing may not have the same translucency benefits, but it still influences the sound profile upon key release by adding depth and richness to the overall sound experience. Therefore, despite the differences in materials, both switches offer noticeable effects on the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In contrast, the WS Red's actuation force is unavailable, but its bottom out force is 67 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category.
Considering weight in switches is important for different reasons. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon, as it allows for longer typing periods and is well-suited for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the WS Red with its heavier forces. Although the specific actuation force of the WS Red is unavailable, the higher bottom out force suggests that it requires a stronger push for key activation. Both switches provide different levels of resistance, catering to different typing preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is 4.0 mm, while the travel distance of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is slightly shorter at 3.8 mm. Both switches have relatively traditional travel distances, with the Sea Salt Lemon being slightly longer. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize a high level of responsiveness, opting for the WS Red with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer a more substantial depth to their key press. In this case, selecting the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.
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 Red 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
When it comes to sound, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch stands out with its low-pitched sound profile. These switches produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The neutral sound profile of the Sea Salt Lemon makes it a versatile choice suitable for most users, regardless of their experience level or where they plan to use the keyboard. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
As for feel, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a mild typing experience. This means that the switch offers a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The mild nature of the Sea Salt Lemon makes it a comfortable choice for a wide range of users as its qualities fall within a safe and middle-ground zone. Unfortunately, specific information about the feel of the WS Red switch is unknown.
Taking all the available information into account, the Sea Salt Lemon linear switch from KTT offers a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design. Its low-pitched sound profile adds a mellow and bass-heavy tone to the typing experience. Additionally, the mild feel of the switch ensures a gentle and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Red linear switch from Wuque Studio is described as having a 22mm double-stage spring, offering a responsive and bouncy typing experience. It also has a classic material blend, resulting in a familiar sound signature. Unfortunately, detailed information about the sound and feel of the WS Red switch is unavailable.
Therefore, if you are looking for a linear switch with a smooth and buttery typing experience, accompanied by a low-pitched and mellow sound, the Sea Salt Lemon switch is a suitable choice. While the specific details about the WS Red switch are unknown, it can be expected to provide a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a familiar sound signature. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, providing you with satisfaction and enjoyment while using your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a smooth and buttery typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is the way to go. These switches offer a lovely representation of what a linear switch can be, with their progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. They provide a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the Sea Salt Lemon switches offer a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is a great choice. With their 22mm double-stage spring, these switches offer a satisfying and substantial typing feel. While the sound profile of the WS Red switches is not specified, they are known for retaining a familiar sound signature due to their classic material blend.
Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switches comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a smoother typing experience and a lighter bottom out force, opt for the Sea Salt Lemon. However, if you prefer a more responsive typing feel with a heavier bottom out force, the WS Red would be the better choice for you.
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