Durock Black Lotus vs. HMX EMO
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EMO switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Black Lotus and HMX EMO are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a unique typing experience. The Black Lotus is known for its smooth and precise feel, reducing wobble and providing a 55g actuation weight that is substantial yet not overly heavy. On the other hand, the HMX EMO switch offers a lively and clacky feel with a feather-light 46g bottom-out force, delivering a bouncy and satisfying typing experience. While the Black Lotus has a unique light column for in-switch lighting, the EMO is exceptionally factory-lubed for smoothness. 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
55g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
46g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and HMX EMO switches offer different characteristics that affect the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Black Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing creates a unique and premium feel, while the EMO's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials offer a high-quality aesthetic appeal, especially when used with RGB lighting due to their translucency. However, the Black Lotus's top housing may provide a softer feel compared to the stiffer polycarbonate top housing of the EMO.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and EMO switches feature a nylon bottom housing which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound and create a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This characteristic is shared by both switches and is likely to result in a satisfying typing experience with a more muted sound profile. The similarities in the bottom housing material may lead to comparable typing experiences, despite any differences in the top housing materials of the two switches.
The division of housing materials between the top and bottom of a switch can impact different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. This means that the combination of the unique top and bottom housing materials in the Black Lotus and EMO switches may result in a balanced typing experience with a blend of premium feel, sharp sound profiles, and deep, fuller sound characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the feel and sound profile desired during typing.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX EMO linear switch differ in their actuation force and bottom out force, offering users a choice between a lighter or heavier typing experience. The Black Lotus has a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the EMO offers a lighter touch with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams. Those who prefer a lighter keypress may opt for the EMO, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue, while those seeking a more pronounced keystroke may lean towards the Black Lotus. Both switches offer a distinct typing experience based on their varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX EMO linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the EMO. Both switches offer a decent amount of travel distance, with the Black Lotus being more traditional in its depth and the EMO being slightly shallower. Gamers may prefer the EMO for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial feel when typing may opt for the Black Lotus. In general, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of how deep and responsive you want your keystrokes to feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black 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 Black Lotus for $4.57.
The HMX EMO has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the EMO for $2.79.
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 Black Lotus switch is known for a quiet and smooth operation, making it suitable for those who prefer a more serene typing experience. On the other hand, the EMO switch is characterized by a lively and clacky sound, adding a bit of auditory feedback for a more engaging typing feel. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences and needs.
Moving on to the feel, the Black Lotus switch is praised for its silky and buttery typing experience, providing users with a smooth and seamless keystroke feel. The reduced housing and stem wobble also contribute to a more stable and satisfying typing sensation. On the other hand, the EMO switch offers a bouncy and effortless typing experience, thanks to its lightweight bottom-out force and factory-lubed components. This results in a responsive and lively typing feel that can enhance typing speed and accuracy.
Overall, the Black Lotus and HMX EMO switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus offers a smooth and stable typing experience with a slightly heavier actuation weight, while the EMO provides a lively and bouncy feel with a lighter bottom-out force. Depending on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or both in your typing experience, you can choose between these two switches for a satisfying and customized mechanical keyboard experience. Additionally, both switches offer unique features such as in-switch lighting for the Black Lotus and factory-lubed components for the EMO, ensuring that you will achieve similar high-quality results regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX EMO linear switch, consider your preference in terms of bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth, precise typing experience with a unique light column feature, the Durock Black Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a light, bouncy typing experience with a feather-light bottom out force and exceptional factory-lubing, the HMX EMO switch could be more suited to your typing preferences. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what characteristics you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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