Kailh Berry vs. Durock Dolphin

Overview

The Kailh Berry and the Durock Dolphin are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Berry stands out for its hefty and springy typing feel, with a chalk-like texture and deep sound profile that provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Dolphin excels in providing a silent typing experience, making it a great choice for quiet office environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force, the Dolphin offers a balanced feel that combines precision with a satisfying press. While both switches have their own strengths and appeal, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Berry Linear

Durock Dolphin Linear

$6.25 per 10

$6.87

$5.41 per 10

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Housing materials

The Kailh Berry and the Durock Dolphin both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as the light can shine through the clear housing. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a more visually appealing look as well, providing a sleek and modern aesthetic.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Kailh Berry and the Durock Dolphin employ nylon for a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic compared to polycarbonate, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in housing materials between the top and bottom creates a unique typing experience, as the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is influenced by the bottom housing, while the sound when releasing a key is more affected by the top housing. Despite the difference in materials, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their combination of polycarbonate and nylon housings.

Overall, the choice between the Kailh Berry and the Durock Dolphin ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. While both switches use similar materials for their top and bottom housings, the slight differences in plastic stiffness and sound absorption may impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with polycarbonate or a deeper, fuller sound with nylon, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that can cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired sound and feel for the user.

Weight

The Kailh Berry linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch differ in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Berry has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Dolphin has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium. The actuation force for both switches is None grams, meaning it is unknown. When comparing the two switches, the Berry is heavier in terms of bottom out force compared to the Dolphin. Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch, as a lighter actuation force is preferred by those who type for extended periods, while a heavier force provides a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, we can see that the Berry has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dolphin has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular in the keyboard market. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Berry a suitable option for gaming enthusiasts. However, those who enjoy a more robust key press may lean towards the Dolphin with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a shorter travel distance compared to traditional switches, so users can expect similar levels of responsiveness regardless of which option they choose.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy sound profile, offering a deep and rich tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin linear switch is described as having a muted sound, producing a softer and quieter typing experience. Each switch provides a unique auditory feedback, catering to different preferences. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and keycap material.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Berry linear switch is noted for its textured typing experience, offering a tactile sensation with noticeable friction during key presses. Alternatively, the Durock Dolphin linear switch provides a polished feel, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction for a sleek typing experience. The Berry switch emphasizes a more tactile feedback, while the Dolphin switch focuses on a smoother keypress.

Overall, although the Kailh Berry linear switch and Durock Dolphin linear switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a springy and chalk-like texture with a deep sound profile (Kailh Berry) or a silent and polished typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force (Durock Dolphin), both switches guarantee a premium and reliable performance. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.

Conclusion

In closing, when considering whether to choose the Kailh Berry linear switch or the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you value a heavier typing experience with a deep sound profile, the Berry switches may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent typing experience with a medium actuation force and smooth key travel, the Dolphin switches could be the better option. Consider where and how you will be using your keyboard, as well as your preference for sound and feel, when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both the Berry and Dolphin switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Berry Linear

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Durock Dolphin Linear

$6.87

$5.41 per 10

Learn more