Durock Black Lotus vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options available on the market. Two popular choices for those seeking a smooth and gentle typing experience are the Durock Black Lotus and the SP-Star Meteor White. The Black Lotus is best known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, ensuring housing and stem wobble are kept to a minimum, resulting in maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between substantial and manageable, this switch offers a satisfying tactile response without being too hefty. Additionally, the unique light column provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable, allowing for customizable aesthetics. On the other hand, the Meteor White excels in its subdued nature, delivering a gentle linear switch that is easy to push and emits a soft pitter-patter sound profile. Both its type feel and sound profile are exceptionally soft, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a quieter typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your unique preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the SP-Star Meteor White switches exhibit both similarities and differences. Both switches feature a classic switch housing material, nylon, in their bottom housings. This material choice offers a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, thanks to its ability to absorb more sound due to its relatively softer plastic nature. Therefore, both switches create a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out keys.
However, when it comes to the top housing, the Black Lotus sets itself apart with its modified PC and UPE blend. This unique blend gives the Black Lotus switch a premium feel that distinguishes it from the Meteor White. The blend of PC and UPE may offer a different tactile experience, making it stand out for those who prioritize the feel of typing over the sound produced by the switch.
In terms of the impact on sound and feel, the bottom housing plays a more significant role in determining the bottom-out sound when pressing down on the switch. The qualities of the nylon bottom housing in both switches contribute to the deeper and fuller sound profile experienced during typing. On the other hand, when releasing a key, the top housing becomes more influential in shaping the sound. With its modified PC and UPE blend top housing, the Black Lotus may offer a distinct sound experience compared to the Meteor White's nylon top housing.
In summary, while both the Durock Black Lotus and SP-Star Meteor White switches share the benefits of a nylon bottom housing, the Black Lotus differentiates itself with its modified PC and UPE blend top housing. The choice between these switches will depend on whether the user prioritizes a unique and premium feel (Black Lotus) or a deeper and fuller sound profile (Meteor White) during typing. Nonetheless, both switches aim to provide a high-quality typing experience, albeit with slightly different focuses.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams, which means it requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating the force required to press the key all the way down. On the other hand, the Meteor White's actuation force is unavailable, so we are unsure of the exact force required for a keystroke, and it has a bottom out force of 57 grams. In terms of weight, the Meteor White is lighter as its actuation force is categorized as medium-light, while the Black Lotus is deemed as medium-heavy.
Weight plays a significant role in user preference, as some individuals prefer lighter switches, allowing them to type for longer periods or engage in extended gaming sessions without fatigue. For this reason, the Meteor White may be preferred by those who value a lighter typing experience. However, others may desire a more substantial typing feel, favoring a stronger push force. In this case, the Black Lotus with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces would be a more suitable choice.
Overall, while the exact actuation force for the Meteor White remains unknown, it can be inferred that it is lighter compared to the Black Lotus. However, both switches offer a range of forces that cater to different preferences, ensuring users can find a switch that suits their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a keyboard switch. In the case of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel from the top to the bottom. As a result, the tactile experience and feel of these two switches will be similar, allowing for a consistent typing experience. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both the Black Lotus and the Meteor White switches offer the same level of performance and satisfaction.
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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 Durock Black Lotus switch is not specifically described in the information given. However, based on its silky smooth feel and reduced wobble, it is safe to assume that the Black Lotus linear switch would produce a relatively quiet and consistent sound. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as having a gentle and subdued sound profile. This suggests that it would emit a soft and gentle "pitter-patter" sound when pressed and released. Both switches provide a quiet and pleasant typing experience, making them suitable for various environments.
In terms of feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as having a silky and buttery smooth typing experience. It offers minimal resistance and promotes effortless key presses. Additionally, the Black Lotus switch is said to have a polished finish, indicating reduced friction and smooth key travel. The SP-Star Meteor White switch shares a similar feel, being described as mild and polished. This suggests that the Meteor White switch would also provide a gentle typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches offer a comfortable and enjoyable typing feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus and SP-Star Meteor White switches share some similarities in terms of feel and sound. Both switches have a mild and polished characteristic, ensuring a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Although specific sound descriptions are not provided for the Black Lotus switch, it can be inferred that it would produce a quiet and consistent sound based on its silky smooth feel and reduced wobble. The Meteor White switch, on the other hand, is described as having a subdued sound profile, emitting a soft and gentle "pitter-patter" sound. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant and comfortable typing experience, making them suitable for various users and environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and enjoy a silky smooth feel with unparalleled precision, then the Black Lotus is the switch for you. It also offers a unique light column for in-switch lighting, adding to its appeal. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force of 57 grams and value a subdued, soft typing experience, the Meteor White is the ideal choice. It has a gentle, pitter-patter sound profile and is easy to push, making it a great option for those who prefer a softer feel. Both switches have a mild feel and a polished finish, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. In terms of sound, the Black Lotus has its own unique description, while the Meteor White offers a thocky sound profile. Overall, consider your typing preferences in terms of force, feel, and sound to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
