KTT Ash Gray vs. Durock Black Lotus

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices are the KTT Ash Gray and the Durock Black Lotus. The Ash Gray is a tactile switch, designed to provide a substantial yet unobtrusive tactile response. This switch offers a light touch with a crisp actuation, delivering a delightful blend of tactile feedback that is neither overwhelming nor unnoticed. On the other hand, the Black Lotus is a linear switch, known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. It reduces housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it offers a substantial feel without being too hefty. Additionally, the Black Lotus features a unique removable light column for in-switch lighting. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Ash Gray Tactile

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Ash Gray and the Durock Black Lotus switches, one notable difference is the material used for the top housing. The Ash Gray features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. While the specific sound characteristics of the Black Lotus are not mentioned, the focus seems to be on the tactile experience it provides rather than the sound profile.

Another area of comparison is the bottom housing material of both switches, which happens to be the same: nylon. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material and is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. It's interesting to see that both the Ash Gray and the Black Lotus utilize nylon for their bottom housing, suggesting that they aim to provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound.

When it comes to the impact on sound and feel, the differences between the top and bottom housing materials become more evident. The qualities of the bottom housing, which includes the nylon material, have more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. This means that both the Ash Gray and the Black Lotus will likely have a similar deep and full sound when bottoming out. On the other hand, the top housing material, like the polycarbonate in the Ash Gray or the modified PC and UPE Blend in the Black Lotus, will have a greater impact on the sound produced when a key is released. This suggests that the Ash Gray may have a sharper and crisper sound during key release, while the Black Lotus focuses more on providing a tactile and premium feel rather than emphasizing the sound profile in this aspect.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Ash Gray has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, while the Black Lotus requires a slightly heavier force of 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Ash Gray switch provides a lighter and more sensitive touch, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience or engage in longer typing sessions. On the other hand, the Black Lotus requires a stronger push, with a heavier actuation force, resulting in a more substantial typing experience.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ash Gray switch measures 53 grams, providing a slightly heavier resistance compared to its actuation force. In contrast, the Black Lotus has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is a noticeable increase from its actuation force. This indicates that when fully pressing down on the key, the Black Lotus switch requires more force, ensuring a more distinct and pronounced keystroke.

Considering the weight aspect, those who prefer a lighter typing experience would find the Ash Gray switch more suitable for their needs. The lighter actuation force allows for comfortable and extended periods of typing, ideal for those using their keyboard for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience would benefit from the heavier actuation force of the Black Lotus switch.

In summary, while the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force, providing a gentler and more sensitive typing experience, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch requires a heavier force for both actuation and bottoming out, resulting in a more substantial and tactile keystroke. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch is 3.5 mm, while the Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of comparison, the Black Lotus has a longer travel distance than the Ash Gray. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Black Lotus is considered more traditional, offering a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of 3.5mm in the Ash Gray is preferred by gamers who require faster response times. It provides a more responsive feel when pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference. If you prefer a shorter travel distance for quick response, the Ash Gray is the way to go. However, if you desire a deeper and more fulfilling typing experience, the Black Lotus with its longer travel distance would be the better option.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the KTT Ash Gray switch is known for its neutral profile. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. The sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the Durock Black Lotus switch. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can vary based on factors beyond the switch itself.

When it comes to feel, the KTT Ash Gray switch has been described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in effortless and comfortable typing, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the switch is considered to have a mild tactile feedback, providing a safe and middle-ground typing experience that most people will find approachable.

In comparison, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as silky and buttery, indicating an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing experience. These switches minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, resulting in an overall smooth typing feel. Like the Ash Gray, the Black Lotus switch is also considered to have a mild typing experience, making it approachable to a wide range of users. Additionally, the Black Lotus switch boasts a polished finish, further enhancing the smoothness of key travel and reducing friction.

Based on the available information, the KTT Ash Gray switch offers a light touch with a crisp actuation, providing a pleasant tactile feedback without being overwhelming. It has an easy-to-press feel with a mild typing experience, making it a comfortable choice for extended typing sessions. While the sound profile of the Ash Gray switch is described as neutral, the specific sound characteristics of the Black Lotus switch are unknown. However, both switches offer a mild typing experience and are likely to provide similar results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preferences and other factors such as desired actuation weight and lighting options.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a light touch and a crisp actuation, the KTT Ash Gray is the way to go. With its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, it offers a delightful blend of tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but far from unnoticed. The Ash Gray switch provides an easy-to-press feel, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. It also has a neutral sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes.

On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch that offers a silky smooth typing experience with unparalleled precision, the Durock Black Lotus is an excellent choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it provides a substantial yet not too hefty actuation weight. The Black Lotus offers a variety of feel options, including a silky and buttery typing experience, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts. Its unique light column also adds in-switch lighting which is fully removable.

Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you value a tactile switch with a light touch and a moderate sound profile, the Ash Gray is the way to go. However, if you prefer a linear switch with a silky smooth feel and variety of feel options, the Black Lotus is the switch for you. Consider your desired typing experience and choose the switch that best suits your needs.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Ash Gray Tactile

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

Learn more

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more