SP-Star Ayara vs. Durock Blue Lotus
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Blue Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that come to mind are the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Blue Lotus. Each switch offers its own unique features and benefits, making it difficult to determine the best one without delving deeper into their characteristics. The Ayara is known for its medium heftiness, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a solid feel. It offers a soft bottom-out feel and a perfectly clacky sound profile, making it a popular choice among typists. On the other hand, Durock's Blue Lotus switches boast a delightful combination of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm compared to the standard 4mm, these switches deliver a marked tactile feel that is highly appreciated by users. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB illumination that adds a visually captivating element to your keyboard. While these general pointers can help you start considering which switch suits your preferences, let's now dive deeper into the specifics to ensure you can make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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
Two-stage
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Durock Blue Lotus show some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize nylon for their top housing material. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, while the Ayara's nylon top housing elicits a duller and rounder sound, the Blue Lotus uses a modified PC and UPE blend housing, which provides a unique and premium feel. This suggests that although both switches use nylon, the Blue Lotus may offer a slightly different sound experience due to the additional blend material.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ayara and the Blue Lotus again use nylon, highlighting its popularity as a classic switch housing material. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing is driven by its ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. Since both switches feature the same material for the bottom housing, the sound profile produced when pressing down on the switch is expected to be similar.
The distinction between the top and bottom housings becomes significant when considering the overall sound and feel of the switches. When pressing down on the switch, one can expect to feel the qualities of the bottom housing, as it impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing material will have a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, if the top and bottom housings differ for each switch, it means that the sound profile and tactile experience will be influenced differently during keypress and key release. This highlights the importance of considering the combination of housing materials in switches to achieve desired sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, there are both similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. In terms of actuation force, the Ayara's specific measurement is unavailable, while the Blue Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams. Although the exact force of the Ayara is unknown, it can be assumed that it falls within a similar range since both switches are categorized as having a medium actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ayara requires 62 grams of force to fully press down, placing it in the medium range. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, making it fall under the medium-heavy category.
Considering weight is an important aspect for switch selection, lighter switches like the Ayara can be favored by those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force allows for a smoother and quicker keystroke, reducing fatigue over time. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more pronounced and substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces, such as the Blue Lotus. The additional resistance during actuation can provide a satisfying tactile feedback and a sense of precision.
Overall, while the exact actuation force of the Ayara switch is unknown, its classification as medium suggests it may provide a similar experience to the Blue Lotus, which has a known actuation force of 55 grams. However, the Blue Lotus does have a slightly heavier bottom out force, making it slightly more substantial during typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is 4 mm, while the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Ayara has a slightly longer distance compared to the Blue Lotus. The Ayara's 4 mm travel distance falls into the traditional range, providing a familiar feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of the Blue Lotus to feel too abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
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
When it comes to sound, the Ayara linear switch offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most users. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and produces a clacky sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch provides a bassy sound profile. This means that the sound produced is deeper and richer, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles, so choosing between them depends on personal preference and the desired sound experience.
In terms of feel, the Ayara linear switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. This is achieved through the use of high-quality materials and potentially factory lubing. The result is reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus tactile switch is described as accented, providing a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It is not as pronounced as a hypertactile switch but still offers a noticeable tactile feedback. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switch is also snappy, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs, which enhances the typing experience by making it feel more responsive. If you prefer a switch with a sleek and polished feel, the Ayara is a good choice, while the Blue Lotus offers a balance between tactility and snappiness.
Taking all the available information into account, we can conclude that the Ayara linear switch is recommended for those who prefer a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile. It offers a polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is ideal for users who enjoy a marked tactile feel and swift responsiveness. It has a slightly reduced travel distance, accentuated tactility, and a bassy sound profile. Both switches have their own unique qualities, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience. If you prefer the sound quality of the Ayara but want the feel of the Blue Lotus, you can achieve similar results with the right combination of keyboard, keycaps, and other factors that contribute to the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the SP-Star Ayara linear switch or the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile, the Ayara switches with their medium heftness of 62 grams are recommended. On the other hand, if you prefer a marked tactile feel with swift responsiveness and a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, the Blue Lotus switches with their medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams would be a great choice. Additionally, if you appreciate a neutral sound profile or a high-pitched sound, the Ayara or the Blue Lotus switches respectively would cater to your preferences. In terms of feel, the Ayara switches offer a polished and smooth typing experience, while the Blue Lotus switches provide an accented tactile feel with a snappy and stepped response. Ultimately, consider your desired typing experience, sound profile, and the level of tactility you prefer when making your decision between these two switches.
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