Durock Black Lotus vs. Cherry MX Orange

Overview

When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can greatly influence both typing experience and performance. The Durock Black Lotus switch stands out for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, delivering a delightful typing experience thanks to reduced housing and stem wobble. With a moderate actuation weight of 55g, it strikes a balance that many users appreciate, providing a satisfying yet manageable resistance. Additionally, its unique light column offers customizable in-switch lighting, which adds an extra flair to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Orange switch honors its legacy by reissuing the original MX Orange design with enhancements for improved performance and durability. Known for catering to enthusiasts and gamers alike, these switches are designed to withstand heavy use while offering a reliable and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, each switch presents its own distinctive features and benefits, with the Black Lotus emphasizing smoothness and customization while the MX Orange focuses on heritage and reliability. 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

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Cherry MX Orange switches present a fascinating comparison in the realm of mechanical keyboards. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, which is designed to provide a unique and premium feel. This material composition is intended to enhance the typing experience, potentially offering a different tactile feedback compared to traditional materials. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Orange utilizes classic nylon for its top housing, renowned for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both switches aim to create a satisfying auditory experience, they approach it from different material standpoints, with the Black Lotus offering an upgrade in the top housing that emphasizes a premium feel.

When examining the bottom housings of these switches, they reveal a notable similarity. Both the Durock Black Lotus and Cherry MX Orange employ nylon for their bottom housing. This shared material choice ensures that both switches are capable of delivering a rich sound profile characteristic of nylon—deeper and fuller due to the plastic's sound-absorbing properties. Consequently, users can expect a similar bottom-out sound and feel when pressing either switch, as both utilize nylon's inherent qualities to dampen sound and enhance the overall typing experience. This commonality underlines the importance of bottom housing when it comes to the tactile feedback felt by the user.

It is important to note how the differences in top and bottom housing materials influence the overall performance of each switch. While the Black Lotus’s modified PC and UPE blend top housing may offer a more distinct feedback when releasing a key, the nylon bottom ensures that users will experience a consistently satisfying bottom-out feel. Conversely, the Cherry MX Orange maintains consistency in feel and sound across both housing sections, contributing to its reputation as a reliable choice among enthusiasts. Ultimately, even though they adopt different approaches in their top housings, both switches come together to provide satisfying results, showcasing the significant role of material choice in mechanical switch design.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch to the Cherry MX Orange linear switch, both feature the same actuation force of 55 grams, which means users would experience an identical resistance when initiating a keystroke with either switch. This consistency allows for a similar typing feel for those who find a 55-gram force comfortable for prolonged use, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. However, the Black Lotus has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which indicates a firmer resistance when the switch is fully pressed down, contributing to a more substantial and tactile feedback at the end of the keystroke. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange's bottom out force is currently unknown, which means its performance regarding the firmness experienced at the end of a keystroke remains less defined. This uncertainty might make it challenging to predict its overall typing experience. Therefore, the Durock Black Lotus, with its clear medium-heavy characteristics, is the heavier option in the comparison, while the Cherry MX Orange, with its equal actuation force but unknown bottom out, leaves room for speculation about its overall feel.

Travel distance

The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch both feature the same travel distance of 4 mm. This equal distance indicates that users can expect a similar feel when pressing down on these keys, providing a consistent typing experience between the two. Since both switches have the same travel distance, users will likely achieve comparable results in terms of key actuation and overall responsiveness, making either switch a suitable choice for those who prefer a linear key feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Durock Black Lotus switch creates a minimalist auditory footprint, largely characterized by its smooth keystrokes but with an element of discretion, contributing to a typing experience that resonates well in quieter environments. The Cherry MX Orange switch, on the other hand, offers a more muted but distinct sound that mirrors the nostalgic acoustic character of its predecessor, making it a pleasant auditory partner for users who prefer a low-profile soundscape while typing. It's important to note that the overall sound can also be heavily influenced by the type of keyboard and keycaps used alongside the switches, so personal preference plays a significant role in achieving the desired auditory experience.

When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch boasts a buttery smoothness which equates to a seamless keystroke experience. The mild nature of the switch ensures that it appeals to a broad range of users, making it an approachable choice for newcomers. This results in a gentle yet responsive typing experience, allowing for extended use without fatigue. In contrast, the specifics of the feel for the MX Orange switch remain unspecified. Still, it typically offers a tactile experience reflective of other Cherry switches, designed to evoke a blend of nostalgia and reliability. This could imply that while the sensation may differ slightly, it would still provide a confident and stable keystroke.

In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and Cherry MX Orange switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Black Lotus excels in providing a smooth and mild typing experience with minimal sound, while the MX Orange carries a certain charm synonymous with its historical design. When choosing between the two, the decision will likely hinge on individual preferences for sound and feel, as both switches are designed to deliver satisfying performance, albeit in distinct ways.

Conclusion

To conclude, when considering whether to choose the Durock Black Lotus linear switch or the Cherry MX Orange switch, your personal preferences and typing habits are key factors. If you prioritize a smooth and precise typing experience, the Black Lotus is an excellent choice. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams and a 55g actuation weight, it provides a satisfying tactile feedback that caters to users seeking control and accuracy. Its buttery, mild feel means that you will enjoy a seamless keystroke experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming, where precision is crucial. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that brings back the nostalgic feel of original Cherry switches while also meeting modern demands, the MX Orange might be more your style. Though its specific actuation weight is less defined, the MX Orange is celebrated for its well-rounded characteristics, making it a safe choice for both typing and gaming without sacrificing comfort. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what you value more in your typing experience—whether it's the silky smoothness and precision of the Durock Black Lotus or the balance and nostalgia of the Cherry MX Orange.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn more