Gateron Aliaz vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Aliaz and Durock Piano are two popular options to consider. The Gateron Aliaz switch is a tactile switch best known for its silent design, making it ideal for quiet environments like the office. With a medium-heavy weight, it provides a substantial feel to each keystroke, appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is a linear switch that stands out for its proprietary material blend, offering a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Users appreciate the gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature that these switches provide. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and needs. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Piano feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Aliaz uses a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This stiffness of the polycarbonate plastic leads to a more resonant sound profile, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a clear and vibrant sound. On the other hand, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing offers a deep and satisfying sound profile, although the exact details of this blend remain unknown.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Aliaz and the Piano also differ in material. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which is known for creating a sharper sound profile similar to that of the top housing. The stiffness of the polycarbonate plastic contributes to a clear and resonant sound, providing a consistent typing experience. The Piano, on the other hand, utilizes a proprietary POM blend bottom housing that offers a deep and satisfying sound profile, adding a unique touch to the keyboard experience.
Overall, while the top and bottom housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and the Durock Piano offer different sound profiles, they both prioritize creating a clear and resonant typing experience. The polycarbonate material in the Aliaz provides a sharp and crisp sound, while the proprietary POM blend in the Piano offers a deep and satisfying typing experience. Regardless of the specific material used, both switches aim to deliver a high-quality sound profile that enhances the overall keyboarding experience.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Durock Piano linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Aliaz is even heavier at 75 grams, while the Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that the Aliaz requires more force to press the key fully down compared to the Piano. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Piano switch would be the better choice, as it has a lower bottom out force. On the other hand, individuals looking for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Gateron Aliaz switch due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding typing force and feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is notable that both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on either switch, users will experience a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that the typing experience will be uniform regardless of which switch is chosen. In terms of travel distance, there is no distinction between the two switches as both offer identical results.
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 Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is known for its muted sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office and quiet environments. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a bassy sound signature, giving a deep and rich sound quality during key presses. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Aliaz being more understated and the Piano delivering a more pronounced sound.
Moving on to feel, the Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. This ensures a refined and sleek feel while typing, enhancing the overall typing comfort. In contrast, the Durock Piano switch is noted for its frictionless feel, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with fluid key travel. Both switches prioritize smoothness and ease of typing, making them popular choices for users who value comfort and fluidity in their typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Aliaz excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with its muted sound and silky, polished feel, the Piano stands out for its deep, bassy sound profile and frictionless, smooth typing feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, users can choose between these two switches to achieve their desired typing feel. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, consider the environment you'll be using your keyboard in and your preference for typing feedback. If you work in a quiet office setting and enjoy a more pronounced keystroke feel, the Aliaz switch with its medium-heavy weight and muted sound may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep, bassy sound profile, the Piano switch with its frictionless feel and silky typing experience could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific use case for your mechanical keyboard.
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