KTT Laurel vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that may catch your attention are the KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor White, both of which are linear switches. The Laurel is a medium-light switch that offers a balance of responsiveness and comfort with its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design. You can expect a subtly low-pitched sound profile when typing on the Laurel. On the other hand, the Meteor White is a gentle and subdued switch that requires minimal force to activate and offers a soft, pitter-patter sound profile. Its type feel and sound profile are categorized as soft and neutral. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22m spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in their housing materials, with the Laurel featuring a POM top and bottom housing, while the Meteor White utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing. Both housing materials contribute to creating a unique sound profile for each switch. The POM housing of the Laurel produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound, which can be pleasing to those who prefer a softer and more subtle typing experience. In contrast, the nylon housing of the Meteor White elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that might be more satisfying for users seeking a louder and more pronounced typing experience.
In terms of their impact on the overall key feel, the bottom housing plays a crucial role. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing's qualities become more noticeable, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. With the POM bottom housing of the Laurel, users can expect a deeper and relatively more muted sensation when bottoming out keys, contributing to a smoother and quieter typing experience. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White brings a deeper and fuller key bottom-out sound, creating a more pronounced and tactile typing sensation.
On the other hand, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. While the POM top housing of the Laurel creates a pleasing and unique sound with a deeper tonality, the nylon top housing of the Meteor White adds to the overall fullness and depth of the sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience, with the top housing material playing a significant role in enhancing the release sound.
In summary, the housing materials of the KTT Laurel and the SP-Star Meteor White contribute to distinct sound profiles and key feel experiences. While the POM housing in the Laurel produces a pleasing and relatively more muted sound, the nylon housing in the Meteor White delivers a deeper and fuller sound. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, with the POM bottom housing providing a smoother and quieter experience, while the nylon bottom housing offers a more pronounced and tactile sensation. The top housing, on the other hand, influences the sound produced when releasing a key, with the Laurel's POM top housing adding a unique and deeper tonality, and the Meteor White's nylon top housing enhancing the fullness and depth of the sound profile. Ultimately, both switches offer their own unique auditory experiences, tailored to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Laurel linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Laurel has an actuation force of 43 grams, which is relatively light and allows for easy triggering of keystrokes. In contrast, the actuation force of the Meteor White switch is unavailable, making it difficult to determine how it compares in terms of ease of keystroke activation. Moving on to bottom out force, the Laurel requires 50 grams of force to fully press a key, which is slightly heavier than its actuation force. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch has a bottom out force of 57 grams, indicating a slightly heavier typing experience.
Considering the weight aspect, the Laurel switch is lighter overall, making it suitable for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of typing without experiencing much fatigue, making it a great choice for work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the Meteor White switch offers a slightly stronger push feel due to its higher bottom out force. This can provide a more substantial typing experience for individuals who prefer a firmer key press.
Overall, while the actuation force and bottom out force of the Laurel switch are both lighter than those of the Meteor White switch, the exact actuation force of the Meteor White is unknown. Therefore, it is difficult to determine how closely the results of these two switches align in terms of force requirements.
Travel distance
The KTT Laurel linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch have contrasting travel distances. The Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Meteor White has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional keyboard switches, the Meteor White falls into the more common category with its 4.0 mm travel distance. On the other hand, the Laurel offers a slightly shallower experience with a 3.5 mm travel distance. Gamers, who value faster response times, tend to prefer shorter travel distances, making the Laurel a more suitable choice in this case. However, those who enjoy a deeper sensation when typing may find the 4.0 mm travel distance of the Meteor White more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference for responsiveness versus a more substantial key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Laurel has an MSRP of $4.42 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Laurel for $3.95.
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 KTT Laurel switch is best known for its medium-light linear switch design, featuring a full POM housing and a short travel with a long pole. This combination of features creates a switch that is both responsive and comfortable to use. In terms of sound, the Laurel switch has a subtly low-pitched sound profile, which typically means it has a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as a gentle linear switch with a subdued feel. It is easy to push and offers a gentle, pitter-patter sound profile. Both the type feel and the sound profile of the Meteor White switch are very soft. Additionally, the Meteor White switch is considered to have a mild typing experience, providing a safe and approachable middle-ground feel. It also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Laurel and Meteor White switches have different subjective qualities. The Laurel switch has a low-pitched sound profile and is described as snappy, offering a responsive and lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch has a gentle and soft sound profile, with a mild and approachable typing experience, thanks to its polished finish. Both switches provide distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. However, if you are looking for a similar low-pitched sound profile and a snappy feel like the Laurel switch, the Meteor White switch may provide comparable results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-light linear switch with a balance of responsiveness and comfort, the KTT Laurel switch is your best choice. It features a light bottom out force of 50 grams and a subtly low-pitched sound profile. The Laurel switch is also described as snappy, offering a super responsive typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle and subdued linear switch, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is the way to go. It has a slightly higher bottom out force of 57 grams, making it medium-light, and offers a pitter-patter sound profile. The Meteor White switch is described as mild and polished, providing a more approachable typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for switch weight, sound profile, and typing feel.
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