KTT Sea Salt Lemon vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct features and benefits. The Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch, 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 provides a gentle and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile, a tactile switch by Wuque, strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. Crafted with precision, these switches offer a medium level of tactility and feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts for minimizing switch sound. Unlike traditional silent switches that use silicone dampeners, the WS Silent Tactile switches provide a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return without the usual padded feel. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Muted', they offer a unique blend of tranquility and tactility. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
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
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in terms of their composition and the resulting sound profiles. The Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing, producing a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. The softer composition of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile.
Both switches share a common nylon bottom housing. This material also elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its relatively softer nature. Nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, in terms of housing materials, the Sea Salt Lemon and the WS Silent Tactile offer similar sound characteristics for their bottom housings.
The variation in housing materials between the top and bottom of a switch impacts the overall sound profile and user experience. When pressing down on the switches, the qualities of the bottom housing, made of nylon in both cases, will be more apparent. This translates to a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out. Conversely, the top housing material, which is polycarbonate for the Sea Salt Lemon and nylon for the WS Silent Tactile, will have a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect differences in sound and tactile feedback based on the housing materials used in these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Sea Salt Lemon has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch for triggering keystrokes. In contrast, the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is currently unavailable, making it difficult to determine the specific force required to activate this switch. For bottoming out, the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams, which is slightly heavier compared to its actuation force. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch.
Considering weight as an important factor, the Sea Salt Lemon lighter in terms of actuation force, allowing for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. This makes it well-suited for daily office work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile offers a heavier typing experience with its higher bottom out force. Some individuals may prefer this switch as it provides a more substantial and satisfying push feel while typing.
Although the exact actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unknown, it can be assumed that it will offer a similar result to the Sea Salt Lemon in terms of actuation force if they are indeed similar switches. However, the bottom out force of the WS Silent Tactile is noticeably heavier, offering a different typing experience compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. Thus, individuals seeking a lighter switch should opt for the Sea Salt Lemon, while those desiring a heavier and more pronounced typing experience may find the WS Silent Tactile a better fit.
Travel distance
The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is a more traditional distance for switches. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Sea Salt Lemon is the longer of the two switches, providing a deeper key press experience, while the WS Silent Tactile offers a slightly shallower travel distance. The choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness. Those who prioritize faster response times may opt for the WS Silent Tactile with its shorter travel distance, while others who prefer a more substantial key press may prefer the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance.
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 Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20.
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 switch is known for its low-pitched sound profile. This means that it produces a deeper and more mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The WS Silent Tactile switch, on the other hand, has a neutral sound profile. It has a moderate level of sound, making it suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or in a work environment. Additionally, the WS Silent Tactile switch is described as muted, meaning it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a mild typing experience. This means that the switch offers a gentle and approachable feel without any extreme characteristics. It strikes a middle ground, making it comfortable for most users. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers an accented feel. This means that it provides a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. It offers pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. The WS Silent Tactile switch also falls under the mild category, providing a gentle typing experience.
In summary, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a low-pitched sound profile and a mild typing experience. It provides a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch has a neutral sound profile with a muted sound and an accented feel. It offers a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Both switches have their own unique qualities, and the choice between them depends on personal preferences. However, if you are looking for a similar sound and feel, you can expect similar results from both switches, as they both fall within the neutral and mild categories.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a buttery smooth typing experience, then the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is an excellent choice. These switches are known for their progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, which contribute to a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a balance between tactility and noise reduction, then the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile is the way to go. These switches feature stem railings with small cutouts, resulting in a crisp bottom-out and responsive return, all while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Unlike most silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile switches do not use silicone dampeners, ensuring a typing experience that is devoid of the usual padded feel. Overall, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a neutral sound profile and a mild feel, while the WS Silent Tactile provides a neutral sound profile with a touch of accentuated tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as your desired bottom out force and typing experience.
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