Durock Blue Lotus vs. Gateron CAP Anniversary
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary offer distinct features for different preferences. The Durock Blue Lotus is a tactile switch that stands out for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a marked tactile feel. On the other hand, the Gateron CAP Anniversary is a linear switch known for its exceptionally smooth keystrokes, thanks to its innovative CAP structure that reduces resistance and enhances smoothness. While the Blue Lotus offers a snappy and visually appealing experience with its detachable light column for RGB illumination, the CAP Anniversary provides a creamy and polished typing experience with minimal wobble. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus features a unique blend of Modified PC and UPE material for its top housing, giving it a premium and distinctive feel. In contrast, the Gateron CAP Anniversary utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the Blue Lotus's blend may offer a more luxurious tactile experience, the CAP Anniversary's polycarbonate top housing is known for its clarity and resonance in sound production. Both switches have clear housings, with the CAP Anniversary being more likely to incorporate RGB lighting due to the translucency of polycarbonate.
On the other hand, both the Blue Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary utilize nylon for their respective bottom housings. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, attributed to its softer nature which absorbs more sound. Whether typing on the Blue Lotus or the CAP Anniversary, users can expect a rounder and duller sound thanks to the nylon bottom housing. Despite the different top housing materials, the similar choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile.
When considering the overall typing experience, the housing materials play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of a switch. While the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, the impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced during bottom-out. The Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary offer contrasting experiences due to their different housing materials, with the Blue Lotus providing a premium feel and the CAP Anniversary focusing on clarity and sharpness in sound production. However, both switches share the benefits of using nylon for the bottom housing, ensuring a deep and resonant sound profile regardless of the top housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. The Blue Lotus has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the CAP Anniversary's 50 grams, making the Blue Lotus slightly heavier. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 65 grams, putting them at the same level of pressure required to fully press the key. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the CAP Anniversary may be the better choice due to its lower actuation force. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus may appeal to those who desire a bit more resistance when typing for a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it shorter than the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Blue Lotus offers a slightly quicker actuation due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary provides a bit more depth and cushion with its longer travel distance, which some users may find more comfortable for typing or extended use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing experience. Both options will deliver reliable performance, but the Blue Lotus will offer a slightly quicker keystroke compared to the CAP Anniversary.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Blue 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 Blue Lotus for $4.57.
The Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
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 Blue Lotus switch provides a deep and rich bassy sound profile during key presses, adding a satisfying auditory dimension to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch's sound profile is not explicitly described, leaving it up to personal preference and the other components of your setup to influence the overall sound profile.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers an accented tactile experience, providing a medium level of tactility that is not overpowering but still noticeable. The switch is also noted for being snappy and providing a stepped feel, giving users a sense of responsiveness and feedback throughout the keystroke. In comparison, the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch is also described as snappy, giving users a lively and responsive typing experience. Additionally, the smooth and creamy sensation of the switch, along with its polished finish, adds to the overall comfort and ease of typing.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a tactile and snappy typing experience with a deep, bassy sound profile, while the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch focuses on providing a smooth and creamy typing sensation with a polished finish. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the two will come down to individual preferences, with both switches guaranteeing a premium typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, you should consider your preference for tactile feedback and smooth keystrokes. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump and swift responsiveness, the Blue Lotus switches with their unique tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize exceptionally smooth keystrokes and minimal wobble, the CAP Anniversary switches with their aerodynamic stem design and polished feel might be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific typing experience you are looking for, whether it be accentuated tactility or creamy smoothness.
Mentioned in this article
