Gateron Aliaz vs. Durock Blue Lotus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Blue Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Blue Lotus mechanical keyboard switches, there are key differences to consider. The Aliaz switches are known for their quiet operation, making them ideal for office environments. They offer a medium-heavy weight, providing a substantial feel to each keystroke, perfect for those who prefer a more pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus switches offer a blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, with a slightly reduced travel distance for a snappier typing experience. They also feature a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding a visual appeal to performance. 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
60g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Blue Lotus both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The Aliaz utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it a popular choice for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Blue Lotus combines a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. The modified blend of materials in the Blue Lotus creates a premium feel and a unique sound profile that elicits a deeper and fuller typing experience.
While both switches feature polycarbonate in their top housing, the use of nylon in the Blue Lotus's bottom housing creates a noticeable difference in sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to polycarbonate, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile when typing on the Blue Lotus. In comparison, the Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and crisp sound associated with this material. This difference highlights how the choice of material for the bottom housing can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Blue Lotus play a significant role in shaping the sound profile of each switch. While the Aliaz's polycarbonate housing produces a clear and resonant sound, the Blue Lotus's combination of modified PC, UPE blend, and nylon creates a unique and premium typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile or a deeper, fuller sound, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams. Additionally, the Gateron Aliaz has a heavier bottom out force of 75 grams, while the Durock Blue Lotus has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Gateron Aliaz provides a more substantial typing experience with a greater force required for both actuation and bottoming out, while the Durock Blue Lotus offers a slightly lighter typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium to heavy weight range, making them suitable for users who prefer a bit of resistance in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Aliaz being on the longer side and the Blue Lotus slightly shorter. The difference in travel distance may not be significant to some users, but for those who prefer a more responsive keypress, the Blue Lotus may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper keypress experience may lean towards the Aliaz. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Durock Blue 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 Blue 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Aliaz switch is known for its muted sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office environments. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a bassy sound, delivering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Depending on personal preference and accompanying equipment like the keyboard and keycaps, users can tailor their auditory experience to suit their needs.
Moving on to feel, the Aliaz switch is often described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and enhanced smoothness. In comparison, the Durock Blue Lotus switch is known for its accented tactility, providing a medium amount of tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switch boasts a snappy and stepped feel, making it super responsive and offering a distinct typing sensation with a two-stage tactile experience.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron Aliaz switch excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy weight, perfect for users seeking a more pronounced feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a combination of striking tactile intensity, swift responsiveness, and visual appeal with its detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Aliaz focusing on a smoother and quieter typing experience while the Blue Lotus prioritizes tactile feel and snappiness. Ultimately, users can expect quality performance from both switches, albeit with distinct characteristics tailored to different typing styles and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you work in a quiet office setting and prefer a heavier key feel with a softer sound, the Aliaz switches may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a more pronounced tactile feedback with a snappy and responsive typing experience, along with a visually appealing RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switches would be a great fit. Ultimately, your personal preference for key weight, sound profile, and typing feel will guide you in selecting the switch that best suits your needs and preferences.
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