Durock Black Lotus vs. HMX Jelly

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX Jelly both present compelling options, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. The Durock Black Lotus is revered for its silky smooth feel and exceptional precision, boasting a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between responsiveness and control. Its design minimizes housing and stem wobble, enhancing typing pleasure, while the innovative light column allows for customizable in-switch lighting. In contrast, the HMX Jelly is distinguished by its low-pitched, deep thocky sound signature, making it ideal for those who appreciate auditory feedback during typing. Additionally, weighing in at a lightweight 42g actuation force, the Jelly offers a super smooth experience, thanks in part to its excellent factory lubrication. While the Black Lotus is perfect for precision-focused typing and customizable aesthetics, the Jell's satisfying sound and lighter touch cater to those who prioritize auditory and tactile pleasure. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

HMX Jelly Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Black Lotus and HMX Jelly switches showcase distinct housing materials that influence the overall typing experience. The Black Lotus features a modified polycarbonate (PC) and ultra-high-performance elastomer (UPE) blend for its top housing. This combination is designed to offer a unique and premium feel, enhancing responsiveness and durability. In contrast, the HMX Jelly opts for a traditional nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer and more sound-absorbing properties. This fundamental difference in top housing materials results in variations in the tactile feedback and auditory experience between the two switches while still retaining functionality.

Both the Black Lotus and HMX Jelly utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which is a significant point of similarity. This shared housing material ensures that both switches produce a rounded and muted sound profile, characteristic of nylon’s capacity to absorb sound. As the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed, both switches will exhibit a consistent auditory experience stemming from their nylon construction. However, the absence of the modified blend material in the HMX Jelly may result in a different tactile sensation upon key release, distinguishing the two switches despite their common bottom housing.

In summary, while both the Durock Black Lotus and HMX Jelly switches feature nylon as their bottom housing material, they diverge significantly in their top housing compositions. The Black Lotus’s modified PC and UPE blend provides a more premium tactile experience, which may lead to a sharper sound profile, while the Jelly’s classic nylon top contributes to a softer and fuller auditory output. Users can expect a solid performance from both switches, but the nuanced differences in the top housing will affect the overall sound and feel, particularly when typing. For those seeking a balance between distinct auditory characteristics and a reliable feel, both switches are designed to deliver satisfying results, although the typing experience may vary.

Weight

The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch exhibit notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different typing preferences. The Black Lotus features an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, classifying it as a medium-heavy switch that provides a stronger push feel, ideal for users seeking a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Jelly switch has a significantly lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. Thus, the Jelly is the lighter option, while the Black Lotus is the heavier one. If users desire a similar feedback experience, they would need to consider switches with comparable actuation and bottom out forces, but in this case, the distinct differences would lead to varied sensations while typing.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, it's clear that the two are not equal. The Durock Black Lotus features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the traditional travel distance often favored by those who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing. In contrast, the HMX Jelly has a shallower travel distance of 3.8 mm, which may appeal to gamers and others seeking quicker response times. Thus, if you prioritize a more responsive experience, the Jelly might be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. However, if you prefer the richer, heartier typing experience that comes with greater depth, the Black Lotus, with its longer travel distance, would be more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch lacks specific descriptors, but it can be presumed to be relatively muted or subdued, given its emphasis on precision and smoothness. This allows for a comfortable typing experience without disruptive acoustic feedback. The HMX Jelly linear switch, on the other hand, boasts a low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, providing a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists and gamers enjoy. This contrast in sound textures means that while the Black Lotus may deliver a quieter, more refined sound, the Jelly offers a more resonant and pronounced auditory experience. Furthermore, it's important to remember that the overall sound from both switches can greatly depend on factors like the keyboard construction and the type of keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch is characterized by its silky and buttery smoothness, allowing for an effortless typing experience. This is complemented by its mild and polished qualities, which ensure consistent keystrokes with minimal resistance. The Black Lotus is designed to provide an exceptionally smooth and refined typing sensation. In contrast, the HMX Jelly switch's feel isn't explicitly described, but given its smooth nature due to excellent factory lubing and its lighter actuation weight, it likely offers a pleasant and responsive typing experience, albeit possibly with a less pronounced tactile feedback compared to the compared qualities of the Black Lotus. Notably, both switches aim to reduce friction and enhance the overall smoothness of key travel.

In summary, both the Durock Black Lotus and HMX Jelly linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus is centered around a refined, silky smooth feel with a more subdued sound profile, making it ideal for those who value subtlety in their typing experience. Conversely, the Jelly is recognized for its deep, satisfying thocky sound and lightweight actuation, appealing to users who enjoy a more resonant auditory feedback during usage. While their approaches differ, both switches aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that whether you choose the Black Lotus or the Jelly, you will encounter a high-quality linear switch performance.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX Jelly linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and style. If you gravitate towards a heavier feel while typing and value a silky smooth experience paired with precision, the Black Lotus is your go-to. Its medium-heavy actuation weight and a comforting bottom-out force provide a substantial yet manageable feedback that enhances your overall typing pleasure. Moreover, the polished nature of the Black Lotus ensures a refined keystroke that reduces wobble, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize stability and responsiveness in their typing tasks. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and enjoy the thocky, satisfying sound while typing, the HMX Jelly would serve you well. With its considerably lower actuation force of 42 grams, this switch caters to those who seek ease and a soft touch, perfect for rapid typing or gaming sessions. Its deep sound signature combined with super smooth factory lubing adds a delightful auditory and tactile experience, making it ideal for users who enjoy a more relaxed typing feel. Ultimately, assess what aspects matter most to you—whether it's the smooth, precise feedback of the Black Lotus or the lightweight, resonant joy of the Jelly—and make your choice accordingly.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more