Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Durock Blue Lotus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Blue Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Blue Lotus. The Bamboo Green switches are known for their clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. They have a stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switches by Durock offer a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With slightly reduced travel at 3.7mm, these switches provide a marked tactile feel that enthusiasts will appreciate. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column for vibrant, glowy RGB illumination, adding both performance and captivating visual appeal. 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
43g
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
PBT
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Blue Lotus differ in their housing materials, which affects the sound and feel of the switches. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which is known for offering a neutral sound profile. It provides a balanced sound that is neither too sharp nor too dull. In contrast, the Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, giving it a unique and premium feel. This housing material contributes to a distinct tactile experience and potentially enhances the switch's overall quality. While the top housings differ, both switches may deliver similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Bamboo Green continues with its PBT material. Similar to the top housing, PBT creates a neutral sound profile, delivering a consistent acoustic response. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus incorporates a nylon bottom housing. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon's softer composition allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder and less crisp sound when typing. This difference in bottom housing materials could significantly impact the overall sound experience of each switch.
It is important to note that when a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom. Pressing down on the switch will mainly convey the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing's characteristics will be more noticeable, affecting the sound generated. Therefore, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and Durock Blue Lotus vary in their housing materials, the interplay between top and bottom housings allows for a range of experiences that can be similar in certain aspects.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, one noticeable difference lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bamboo Green features a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Blue Lotus requires 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams, whereas the Blue Lotus demands a slightly higher force of 65 grams. Therefore, the Bamboo Green can be considered lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Blue Lotus. This lighter touch may be preferred by those who desire a keyboard that allows them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches provide a noticeable travel distance, but the Bamboo Green offers a slightly longer journey compared to the Blue Lotus. This extra 0.3 mm may not be significant to everyone, but for those who prefer a deeper keystroke, the Bamboo Green would be the preferred choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a more responsive typing experience or gaming performance, the slightly shorter travel distance of the Blue Lotus might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on personal preferences and desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound. These switches have a sharp and crisp sound profile, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offers a deep and rich bassy sound profile. The sound of both switches can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, but the Bamboo Green is higher-pitched while the Blue Lotus is more bassy.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. Stepped switches provide a two-stage tactile feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The accented nature of these switches means that they provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. The sharp tactile bump in Bamboo Green switches is strong and crisp, delivering a distinct feedback with each keystroke. Additionally, their polished finish ensures a smooth and refined typing experience.
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch also shares some similarities in feel with the Bamboo Green switch. Both switches are described as accented and stepped, offering a medium level of tactility without being scratchy or overwhelming. The Blue Lotus switches are also known for their snappiness, thanks to their super responsive nature. This can be attributed to longer or dual-staged springs, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Durock Blue Lotus tactile switches have distinct subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green provides a clacky sound signature with a crispy and sparkling tactility, while the Blue Lotus offers a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. While they share similarities in terms of being accented and stepped switches, the Bamboo Green leans more towards a higher-pitched sound and a sharp tactile bump, while the Blue Lotus provides a bassy sound profile and a snappy feel. Ultimately, both switches offer unique experiences and can be selected based on personal preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, there are a few factors to consider. If you prefer a medium-bottom out force of 62 grams, and enjoy a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, then the Bamboo Green switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy-bottom out force of 65 grams, and value a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, along with a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, then the Blue Lotus switch may be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, the Bamboo Green switch would be the better option. However, if you prefer a deep and rich bassy sound profile, the Blue Lotus switch would be more to your liking. Lastly, in terms of feel, both switches offer accented tactility and a stepped switch design. However, the Blue Lotus switch is also described as snappy, offering a super responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
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