Durock Black Lotus vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, enthusiasts will find two distinct yet compelling options for their mechanical keyboards. The Black Lotus, revered for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, boasts a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. Its design reduces wobble, contributing to an enjoyable typing experience, while the unique light column allows for customizable in-switch lighting. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are celebrated for their deep sound profile and satisfying operation, providing a balanced typing experience that prioritizes precision. Additionally, their compatibility with Wooting’s innovative keyboards adds a layer of versatility favored by performance-oriented users. While both switches have their merits—one leaning towards pure tactile satisfaction and the other towards acoustic richness—each offers a unique approach to typing pleasure. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding, one can immediately note the significant differences in their top housing materials. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend, which is lauded for providing a unique and premium tactile experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of the rice pudding's housing not only enhances its aesthetic appeal, especially with RGB lighting, but also contributes to its sound characteristics. In summary, while both top housings aim to enhance user experience, the Black Lotus focuses on a premium feel while the Rice Pudding emphasizes sound clarity and visual appeal.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon, a classic material known for its sound absorption qualities. This shared characteristic means that both the Black Lotus and the Rice Pudding will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The nylon's softer properties allow it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a more subdued and rounder auditory experience. Thus, regardless of the difference in top housing materials, both switches achieve a similar outcome concerning the depth and fullness of sound produced at the bottom of the switch.
Overall, while the Durock Black Lotus and Everglide Rice Pudding differ in top housing materials—favoring a modified blend versus polycarbonate—the bottom housing is consistent in its use of nylon across both models. This similarity allows for a unified auditory experience in terms of sound depth, while the contrast in top housing defines their unique sound profiles. Therefore, users can expect a rich auditory experience from both switches, depending on their preferences for overall feel and sound clarity, resulting in an equally satisfying typing experience despite the variances in their designs.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch with the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there are notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces. The Black Lotus requires an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Rice Pudding features a much lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a preferable choice for those who favor a lighter touch, especially during extended typing or gaming sessions. Consequently, the Rice Pudding can lead to less fatigue over long periods compared to the heavier feel of the Black Lotus, which some users might appreciate for a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Therefore, if you're seeking a lighter switch, the Everglide Rice Pudding is the better option, while the Durock Black Lotus serves those who prefer a stronger actuation push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it is clear that the two have distinct characteristics. The Black Lotus features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with more traditional specifications and provides a deeper feel when pressed. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch offers a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, catering to gamers and users who favor quicker response times. This shorter distance can lead to a more abrupt actuation, which some may find preferable for fast-paced activities. Ultimately, if you enjoy a more profound typing experience, the Durock Black Lotus is the better choice, while those seeking swift key presses may opt for the Everglide Rice Pudding.
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 Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 Durock Black Lotus switch does not have a specific sound profile detailed, leaving its auditory characteristics open to interpretation and potentially varying based on the build and materials of the keyboard it is used with. The Everglide Rice Pudding switch, however, is noted for delivering a deep sound, providing a satisfying auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience. As with any mechanical switch, it's essential to remember that sound is also influenced by the choice of board and keycaps, meaning that both switches could produce different sounds depending on these factors.
When considering the feel of the switches, the Durock Black Lotus excels with qualities such as silky, buttery, mild, and polished sensations. This combination results in an exceptionally smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance and enhances overall comfort. The refined nature of the Black Lotus fosters fluid keystrokes, making it versatile for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the specifics of the feel for the Everglide Rice Pudding switch remain unknown. However, its reputation for a balanced typing experience suggests it may offer a satisfying operation, blending smoothness with precision, although specific descriptors are not available to make a direct comparison.
In summary, while the Durock Black Lotus switch stands out for its smooth tactile qualities and the unknown sound profile, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch offers a pleasing auditory depth and compatibility with Wooting's keyboards. You can expect both switches to provide satisfactory performance, just with different focuses; the Black Lotus prioritizing a refined feel, while the Rice Pudding emphasizes rewarding sound. Ultimately, both switches cater to enthusiasts looking for quality performance, and personal preference regarding sound and feel will play a significant role in the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and specific use cases. If you’re someone who values a medium-heavy typing feel, the silky and polished characteristics of the Black Lotus, with its substantial 63.5g bottom-out force, may be ideal for you. This switch excels in providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience, making it perfect for both gaming and typing tasks where precision is key. However, if you prefer a lighter touch, as well as a more balanced and versatile typing experience, the Rice Pudding switch would be the better choice. With its lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams and compatibility with Wooting’s innovative keyboards, you’ll enjoy a smooth operation combined with deep sound while benefiting from reduced finger fatigue during long sessions. In the end, your choice hinges on whether you prioritize a heavier, silky feel or a lighter, satisfying keystroke.