Durock Black Lotus vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Durock Black Lotus and the TTC Silent Red. The Black Lotus is widely recognized for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, offering an optimal typing experience by reducing housing and stem wobble. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a perfect balance between substantial feedback and comfortable typing. Additionally, the Black Lotus boasts a unique light column that provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable, allowing for customizable aesthetics. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is tailored for those seeking a seamless typing experience without the accompanying noise. This switch delivers a muted sound profile, making it ideal for office or shared living spaces where quiet is paramount. Like the Black Lotus, the Silent Red switch offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, ensuring every keystroke is effortlessly executed. Moreover, it features a padded bottom-out feel, adding an extra layer of comfort to your typing sessions. However, let's delve a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make an informed decision about the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the TTC Silent Red switches are quite similar in terms of performance. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. This makes both switches ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience with a more satisfying bottom-out sound.

However, when it comes to the top housings, there is a contrast between the two switches. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which provides a unique and premium feel. This material is not only aesthetically pleasing but also delivers a distinct tactile feedback when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Silent Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. It is specifically designed to enhance the clarity and resonance of sound, making it ideal for those who prioritize sound quality and RGB lighting effects.

While the bottom housings offer a similar deeper and fuller sound profile, the different top housings of the Black Lotus and Silent Red switches provide distinct characteristics. The Black Lotus delivers a unique and premium feel with its modified PC and UPE blend top housing, while the Silent Red prioritizes sound clarity and resonance with its polycarbonate top housing. Both switches ensure a satisfying typing experience, but the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of the desired sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Black Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Red's 45 grams. This means that the Black Lotus requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making them equally substantial in terms of typing experience.

Considering weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Silent Red as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, which is beneficial for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who enjoy a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the slightly heavier actuation force of the Black Lotus. Both switches offer a similar bottom out force, ensuring a consistent level of satisfaction when pressing the keys all the way down.

Overall, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch provides a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams along with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red linear switch offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams but maintains the same medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. These variations allow users to choose their preferred typing experience based on their individual preferences and needs.

Travel distance

The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. In terms of preference, gamers often opt for shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Silent Red switch would be the better option. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. For those who prefer a more substantial key press, the Black Lotus switch with its longer travel distance would be the suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch does not have any specific descriptors provided, so its sound profile is unknown. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as "muted." A muted switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. This means that the Silent Red switch is ideal for those seeking a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise, making it perfect for office or shared living space use. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

When it comes to feel, both the Black Lotus and Silent Red switches share similar descriptors. They are described as "buttery," indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches offer a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, both switches are described as "mild," offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes the sound and feel of both switches approachable to most users as their qualities stand in a safe and middle-ground zone. Finally, both switches are also described as "polished," indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.

In conclusion, while the sound profile of the Durock Black Lotus switch is unknown, it is praised for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision that minimizes housing and stem wobble. The light column feature in this switch provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is highly sought after for its muted sound profile, making it suitable for office or shared living spaces. Both switches share similar descriptors in terms of feel, being described as buttery, mild, and polished, which guarantees a smooth and refined typing experience. Therefore, if one desires a switch with a similar feel, either the Black Lotus or Silent Red would provide similar results.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Durock Black Lotus and TTC Silent Red linear switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. If you prioritize maximum typing pleasure with a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, along with a unique light column for in-switch lighting, then the Black Lotus is the way to go. This switch offers a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and a substantial 55g actuation weight. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, especially in office or shared living spaces, the Silent Reds are the perfect choice. These switches have a muted sound profile and provide a smooth and consistent feel throughout. Additionally, they offer a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. Ultimately, both switches have smooth and buttery typing sensations, along with a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Take into consideration the sound profiles and any specific features you prioritize when making your decision between these two excellent linear switches.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more