Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron Jupiter Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Red both stand out as top contenders for enthusiasts seeking a high-quality typing experience. The Black Lotus is praised for its silky smooth feel and reduced housing and stem wobble, providing maximum typing pleasure with its 55g actuation weight. On the other hand, the Jupiter Red offers a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke with a medium-heavy actuation and high-precision molds for a consistent typing experience. While the Black Lotus is categorized as 'Silky', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Jupiter Red falls into categories such as 'Polished', 'Creamy', and 'Neutral'. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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
Spring steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Red, we see that the Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, while the Jupiter Red has a polycarbonate top housing. The Black Lotus offers a unique and premium feel with its blend of materials, while the Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both materials add their own distinct qualities to the switch, with the Black Lotus potentially offering a more luxurious feel compared to the Jupiter Red's clear and translucent appearance that complements RGB lighting setups.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Jupiter Red utilize nylon for this component. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. With both switches featuring the same bottom housing material, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a more subdued and muffled sound compared to harder plastics, further enhancing the overall typing experience for enthusiasts who value acoustics.
In terms of how the top and bottom housings interact with the typing experience, it is important to note that each material brings its own unique qualities to the switch. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing the key. While the Black Lotus and Jupiter Red may differ in their top housing materials, both switches offer a balanced typing experience with a blend of premium feel, crisp sound profile, and deep sound resonance thanks to their combination of materials in the top and bottom housings.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, offering a medium typing feel. The weight of the switches should be taken into consideration based on personal preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Jupiter Red for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Black Lotus for a stronger push feel. Overall, both switches offer different levels of force but can provide similar results depending on the user's preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning they are equal in this aspect. The travel distance of a switch is crucial in determining the typing experience and how the keys feel when pressed. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of how far the keys travel from top to bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of tactile feedback and keypress experience when using either switch. Ultimately, whether you choose the Durock Black Lotus or the Gateron Jupiter Red, you can expect a similar travel distance and typing experience.
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 Gateron Jupiter Red comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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 Black Lotus switch is known for its quiet and subtle typing experience, while the Jupiter Red switch offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various typing environments. Both switches provide an enjoyable auditory experience without being too loud or distracting, allowing users to focus on their typing tasks without unnecessary noise interference.
Regarding feel, both the Black Lotus and Jupiter Red switches are renowned for their smooth and polished keystrokes. The Black Lotus switch is often described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished, ensuring a luxurious typing experience with minimal resistance and enhanced smoothness. Similarly, the Jupiter Red switch features a polished, creamy, silky, and mild feel, delivering a consistent and effortless typing sensation that is comfortable for extended typing sessions. Both switches prioritize comfort and precision to meet the needs of typing enthusiasts.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Jupiter Red linear switches offer exceptional qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Black Lotus switch may provide a slightly quieter typing experience and the Jupiter Red switch offers a neutral sound profile, both switches excel in providing smooth, polished keystrokes that enhance typing comfort and accuracy. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound levels and typing feel, but users can expect similar high-quality results in terms of overall performance and user satisfaction.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a bit of heft and a unique light column feature, then the Durock Black Lotus linear switch would be a great choice for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force and smooth typing experience make it a top contender for those who prioritize precision and typing pleasure. On the other hand, if you prefer a seamless and consistent typing experience with a medium actuation force, then the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is the way to go. With high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, these switches offer a smooth keystroke that is perfect for both beginners and advanced users. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for typing feel and actuation force.
Mentioned in this article
