Bsun Akashi vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch stand out for different reasons. The Akashi is known for its smooth UPE stem and unique POM top and nylon bottom housing, providing a bright and crisp bottom-out sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a delicate tactility that is perfect for extended typing sessions, with the added bonus of removable light columns for customizable RGB lighting effects. Both switches have their strengths – the Akashi being clacky and snappy, while the White Lotus is low-pitched and subtle. 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
37g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the Durock White Lotus both offer unique sound profiles, with the Akashi featuring a POM top housing while the White Lotus boasts a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing. While the Akashi's POM housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend housing provides a premium feel. Both materials offer a distinct sound experience, with the POM creating a pleasing deep tone and the modified PC & UPE Blend offering a unique and premium feel.
In terms of bottom housing materials, both the Akashi and the White Lotus utilize nylon. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon housings. As such, both switches provide a similar experience when it comes to bottom housing materials, offering a satisfying typing experience with rich and deep sound profiles.
When it comes to the overall impact of the housing materials on the sound and feel of the switches, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction allows for a balance of qualities between the top and bottom housing materials, ensuring a well-rounded typing experience for users of both the Bsun Akashi and the Durock White Lotus switches. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles and premium feels, making them desirable options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is evident that the Akashi is lighter in both categories. The Akashi requires 37 grams of actuation force and 43 grams of bottom out force, making it a light option for those who prefer a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus has a heavier actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel for those who enjoy a bit more resistance. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Akashi being lighter and the White Lotus being medium-light, catering to the preferences of different users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Akashi being on the shorter end and the White Lotus being slightly longer. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Akashi due to its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the White Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 Bsun Akashi linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy noise that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various settings. Both switches provide distinct sound experiences, with the Akashi offering a more vibrant and resonant tone, while the White Lotus provides a more calming and neutral sound suitable for different environments.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Akashi linear switch is described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press. These descriptors indicate a smooth, effortless typing experience with minimal resistance and a responsive feel. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is characterized as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable and suitable for extended typing sessions. Both switches provide a comfortable typing feel with their own unique characteristics, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Overall, while the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer different sound and feel qualities, they both provide exceptional typing experiences. The Akashi excels in producing a vibrant and resonant sound with smooth and responsive key presses, ideal for users seeking a more lively typing feel. In contrast, the White Lotus offers a calming and neutral sound with gentle key presses, perfect for those who prefer a more relaxed typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and can elevate your typing experience, depending on your individual preferences and typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with a bright, crisp sound, the Akashi switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a delicate tactility with a gentle resistance and the option for vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences, so it's important to try them out firsthand to determine which one best suits your typing needs.
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