| Switch Type: Linear | Mount: PCB Mount (5-pin) | Spring: Single Stage | Price: $16.99 (35pcs) on Epomaker |
| Stem: POM | Factory Lubed: Yes |
| Actuation Point (mm): | 2.0 | Actuation Point (mm): | 1.99 |
| Actuation Force (gf): | 60 | Actuation Force (gf): | 42.3 |
| Total Travel (mm): | 4.0 | Total Travel (mm): | 3.62 |
| Reset Point (mm): | Reset Point (mm): | 1.98 | |
| Bottom-out Force (gf): | Bottom-out Force (gf): | 50.1 | |
| Stem Length (mm): | 12.70 | ||
DISCLAIMER | Please Read:
These switches were sent by Mechlands for review and testing purposes. I was NOT PAID in any way to write this review. Impartiality will always be a top priority here at KeebWorks, including this one.
TL;DR
The Epomaker Sea Salt is a rather unique silent switch in the sense that it doesn’t use silencing dampeners to achieve a quiet sound. Instead, the stem has a “leg” that compresses when it bottoms out – this achieves a quiet sound signature without the mushiness associated with other dampened switches.
Additionally, it’s also budget-friendly at around $0.50 per switch, making it a suitable option for those looking for a light, linear switch.
Smoothness: 8/10
On-centre keypresses are very smooth, with only some switches being scratchier than others at very slow keypresses.
Off-centre keypresses were a little scratchier and noticeably more inconsistent at very slow keypresses, but they’re still fairly smooth as a whole.
Overall, their smoothness is excellent even when compared to switches in its class. Although, contactless switches such as those that use hall-effect are still superior.
Epomaker Sea Salt switch disassembled.
Weighting: 4/10
Now, according to Epomaker these switches have an actuation force of 60g at 2mm and a total travel of 4mm.
Epomaker Sea Salt force curve.
As you can see from the force curve above, the Epomaker Sea Salt are outside spec in both its actuation force and travel. Although, I suspect the actuation force is a huge typo on their part as it’s substantially different from the recorded force.
Epomaker Sea Salt consistency force curve.
As you can see, all 3 switches performed consistently with only very minor differences from one another. This is great to see in a switch with a unique design.
Epomaker Sea Salt vs. Akko Fairy Silent force curve.
The above force curve shows a comparison between the Epomaker Sea Salt and the Akko Fairy Silent. The Sea Salt starts a little heavier, but there is a crossover point around 1.7mm where the Fairy Silent outweighs the Sea Salt downstroke-wise. They have an almost perfect weighting match in the upstroke from around the 1.6mm up to the top of the keypress. Plus, the Sea Salt has an additional travel of around 0.4mm in comparison.
Epomaker Sea Salt vs. Cherry MX Silent Red force curve.
The above force curve shows a comparison between the Epomaker Sea Salt and the Cherry MX Silent Red. The Cherry switch is overall noticeably heavier in both the up and downstroke, and it also has a slightly longer travel. However, keep in mind that a lot of people find the MX Silent Red to already be a really light switch.
Overall, these are super lightly weighting linear switches with an extremely consistent performance. It isn’t to my suited for my preference, but I know plenty of people who would absolutely enjoy these!
Sound: 7/10
These are uniquely dampened in the sense that it doesn’t use silencing dampeners to achieve a quiet sound. Instead, the stem has a “leg” that compresses when it bottoms out – this achieves a quiet sound signature without the mushiness associated with other dampened switches.
Overall, there is a bit of a reverb, especially coming from the spacebar, but the switch has a thocky sound signature given the build of the keyboard.
The Epomaker Sea Salt stem length is 12.70mm.
Typing Performance: 6/10
Even with its unique silencing method, they still feel mushier when compared to a traditional mechanical switch – I guess there’s still a chance for someone to figure out a silenced switch without compromising switch feel, but this is a fresh take on it, which I appreciate.
Although with that said, its key feel is less mushy compared to other silenced switches while still offering a quiet sound. So, in a way, yes, these are an improvement when compared to their class.
The only issue I had with them was their weighting. I simply found them waaaay too light for my preferences. Remember, these are lighter than the Cherry MX Silent Red! So, please keep this in mind.
Overall, they performed smoothly and consistently throughout my testing. Plus, they are unique, and were as quiet as other dampened switches. If you prefer a switch with a lighter weighting, then these are worth trying out.
Gaming Performance: 7/10
I’ll start by saying (maybe for the final time) that their weighting isn’t to my preference, as I found it to be too light for me. However, I wasn’t fatigued by them even during long hours of gameplay.
Their quiet nature also meant that they were suitable for slower-paced games where a less distracting experience is a bonus.
Overall, I don’t see these being popular as they occupy a very niche place on the market. And, even though I’m let down by both their weighting and mushy nature, I still liked how these performed as a whole.
Final Score = 32/50 (64%)
Places to purchase this switch:
Epomaker | Amazon UK | Shelter
I just ordered a set of these as the unique silencing method seemed really interesting. Every other switch on the market uses stem mounted dampeners including the Gateron Silent Ink Black V2s I currently use for my work keyboard so I figured they’d all have a similar or mushier bottom-out feel and didn’t bother trying any others. Especially after seeing how many silent switch manufacturers now use thick round dampening pads on the stems unlike Gateron. I wish these Sea Salt switches had a heavier variant but I’ll just have to see for myself if I can get used to light switches again.