Durock Black Lotus vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Mint both offer unique features and qualities worth considering. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, as well as its reduced housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a substantial 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between being satisfyingly tactile without feeling too hefty. Another standout feature is its unique light column that provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable. Conversely, the Mint is loved for its satisfyingly smooth linear switch experience, thanks to its long pole stem that adds a poppy thockiness when typing. Additionally, it offers a light and fleeting type feel that can enhance the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and KTT Mint switches differ in their composition. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the Mint utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend housing provides a unique and premium feel, offering a tactile sensation that distinguishes it from the Mint. In contrast, the Mint's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in sound is mainly due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. However, both switches offer a translucent housing, making them suitable for RGB lighting setups.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and Mint employ nylon. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile, and its relatively softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, typing on either switch utilizing nylon bottom housing will provide a similar sound experience. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, influencing the user's typing experience. However, the top housing's influence is more noticeable when releasing a pressed key, affecting the sound produced upon key release.
In summary, while the Black Lotus and Mint switches use different materials for their top housings, they both offer unique benefits. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing impart a premium feel, while the Mint's polycarbonate top housing enhances the sound profile with sharper tones. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of both switches provides a deeper and fuller sound experience, despite subtle differences due to variations in switch design. Whether you choose the Black Lotus or the Mint, you can expect similar results in terms of the robust sound profiles elicited by their nylon bottom housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is 55 grams, while the Mint requires a lighter force of 45 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Mint switch will feel more sensitive and require less effort to register a keystroke compared to the Black Lotus. In terms of bottom out force, the Black Lotus is heavier with a force of 63.5 grams, while the Mint has a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This indicates that the Black Lotus switch will provide a more substantial typing experience and require more force to fully press down compared to the Mint switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience and longer periods of typing, the Mint switch would be the preferable choice. However, for those who enjoy a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Black Lotus switch would be the better option. It is important to consider one's own preferences and typing needs when selecting between these two switches.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch plays a significant role in the typing experience, as it determines the distance the switch travels from top to bottom when a key is pressed. In the case of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, both switches have an equal travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a similar feeling as they press down on the keys. The travel distance of both switches being equal ensures that the typing experience would provide consistent results, regardless of the chosen switch.
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 KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
In terms of sound, the Black Lotus switch is not explicitly described, so we can assume it falls into a neutral category with a moderate sound profile. On the other hand, the Mint switch is described as having a low-pitched sound, which typically results in a bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches offer different sound profiles, so the choice ultimately depends on personal preference. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Black Lotus switch is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished. These qualities indicate that it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The polished finish further enhances the smoothness and sleekness of the typing experience. Similarly, the Mint switch is also described as mild and polished, suggesting a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches provide a comfortable and approachable feel, suitable for most users.
From the available information, we can see that the Black Lotus switch focuses on precision with reduced wobble and a substantial actuation weight of 55g. It also features a unique light column for in-switch lighting that can be fully removed. On the other hand, the Mint switch is praised for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, characterized by a poppy thockiness and light and fleeting typing experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus and KTT Mint linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus switch is likely to provide a neutral sound profile and silky smooth typing experience with its substantial actuation weight and light column. On the other hand, the Mint switch offers a low-pitched sound and a gentle typing experience with its long pole stem and polished finish. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. However, if you are seeking similar results in terms of a mild and polished typing experience, both switches can deliver satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a switch that provides a silky smooth feel with unparalleled precision, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is your best choice. These switches are designed to reduce housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With a substantial 55g actuation weight and a unique light column that provides in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus offers a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a switch that offers a poppy thockiness, the KTT Mint linear switch is the way to go. These switches feature a long pole stem, resulting in a light and fleeting type feel. In terms of sound, the Black Lotus and Mint both have neutral profiles, but the Black Lotus is yet to be fully described. In terms of feel, both switches are described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the Black Lotus and the Mint will depend on your preference for bottom out force and the specific typing experience you're looking for.
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