Durock Blue Lotus vs. HMX Jelly

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience, and two popular options to consider are the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Jelly. The Blue Lotus, a tactile switch, stands out with its distinctive snappiness and a tactile bump that provides satisfying feedback with each keystroke. Notably, its reduced travel distance of 3.7mm allows for quick actuation, making it a great choice for gamers and typists alike who appreciate a more responsive feel. Additionally, the detachable light column enhances its appeal with vibrant RGB lighting, adding visual flair to your setup. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly boasts a linear design, characterized by a smooth, deep thocky sound profile and an exceptionally lightweight actuation force of just 42g. This makes the Jelly ideal for users who prioritize a fluid typing experience without the tactile interruptions. While the Blue Lotus excels in tactile feedback and aesthetics, the HMX Jelly offers a whisper-quiet, seamless keystroke that can be perfect for shared workspaces. 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 Blue Lotus Tactile

HMX Jelly Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Jelly exhibit distinct qualities, particularly in their top and bottom housings. The Blue Lotus features a modified polycarbonate (PC) and UPE blend for its top housing, giving it a unique and premium feel compared to the Jelly, which uses classic nylon for its top housing. The modified PC and UPE blend may enhance durability and rigidity, resulting in a snappier and more responsive keypress. In contrast, the Jelly's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper sound profile, thanks to the material's softer composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This foundational difference indicates that users may experience a more dynamic feedback from the Blue Lotus while enjoying a warmer auditory experience from the Jelly.

When examining the bottom housings, both switches employ nylon, thus sharing the same advantages in sound absorption and overall tactile feedback. The nylon bottom housing present in both models fosters a deeper and fuller sound profile, characterized by its soft material that provides a duller and rounder auditory experience compared to alternatives made from harder plastics. This commonality in bottom housing materials points towards a similar bottom-out feel and sound across both switches, allowing enthusiasts to achieve comparable results in that regard. Therefore, while the typing experience may feel different due to the distinct top housing materials, the fundamental characteristics of sound and feel when bottoming out will mirror each other.

Overall, the combination of materials in each switch offers unique auditory experiences while retaining some similar features. The Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend may create a more robust typing experience with a crisp sound when releasing the keys, while the Jelly prioritizes a mellow acoustics that comforts sound-sensitive typists. With both switches incorporating nylon in their bottom housings, users can still expect a shared level of depth and richness in sound when they press down on the keys. Thus, even with divergent top housing materials, the consistency in bottom housing effectively allows for a harmonious balance between tactile satisfaction and auditory enjoyment, ensuring that both switches can appeal to different user preferences.

Weight

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch present distinct profiles in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to different user preferences. The Blue Lotus features an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option that provides a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Jelly has a significantly lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, appealing to those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Thus, the Jelly switch is the lighter of the two, while the Blue Lotus is the heavier option. Users seeking a tactile engagement with a stronger push should gravitate towards the Blue Lotus, whereas those prioritizing comfort and endurance might favor the Jelly switch.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, there is a slight yet notable difference. The Blue Lotus features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Jelly has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Blue Lotus the shorter option, offering a more responsive experience, which may appeal to gamers and those who enjoy quicker key presses. Conversely, the HMX Jelly's 3.8 mm travel distance provides a deeper feel, which some users may find more comfortable and satisfying. Ultimately, if you prefer a swifter response, the Blue Lotus is the way to go, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress will appreciate the Jelly's longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switches have a distinctive low-pitched, bassy sound that offers a depth and richness to each keystroke, making for a satisfying auditory response that's perfect for typists who appreciate a more resonant experience. This sound profile is characteristic of bass tones and can create a lively atmosphere when typing. In contrast, the HMX Jelly linear switch is noted for its smoothness due to excellent factory lubrication, providing a quieter experience overall. While the Jelly does not have a detailed sound description provided, it likely lacks the rich depth of the Blue Lotus and may fall into a softer, less pronounced auditory category. It's important to remember that both switches' sound characteristics will also depend on the keyboard build and keycap material you choose, which could further influence the overall experience.

In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus excels with a well-rounded tactile experience marked by its medium tactility that strikes a balance between being overly pronounced and subtle. Its snappy nature and unique stepped design allow for a responsive typing experience that can be engaging, as users will notice a clear distinction in feedback during their keystrokes. This enhances the typing rhythm by making it feel alive and dynamic. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly switch features a lightweight 42g actuation force, promoting smooth keystrokes, but lacks the tactile feel described for the Blue Lotus. While the Jelly prioritizes smoothness, it may not offer the same level of feedback, which could appeal to users favoring linear switches with reduced tactile engagement.

In conclusion, both the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX Jelly switches cater to different preferences, showcasing unique qualities in sound and feel that cater to various typing styles. The Blue Lotus offers a more tactile and rich auditory experience, while the Jelly provides a smooth and quiet typing experience but may not deliver the same feedback or sound impact. Ultimately, if you favor an engaging typing experience with pronounced tactile feedback, the Blue Lotus might be the preferable choice. If you seek a quieter and smoother alternative, the Jelly could serve you well, albeit with a different sensation than that of the more tactile Blue Lotus.

Conclusion

In summary, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, your preferences and typing style will dictate the best choice for you. If you favor a more tactile feedback experience with a heavier actuation and enjoy a pronounced "snappy" feel, the Blue Lotus is ideal. Its medium-heavy bottoming out force of 65 grams ensures that you get a satisfying response during each keystroke, making it a great choice for activities requiring precision, like coding or gaming. Moreover, if you appreciate a deeper sound profile and find joy in the aesthetics of a keyboard that features vibrant RGB lighting, this switch will undoubtedly enhance your overall experience. On the other hand, if you're seeking a smoother and lighter typing experience, particularly for extended typing sessions, the HMX Jelly switch would be the better option. With an actuation force of just 48 grams, its super smooth operation and low-pitched thocky sound create a more relaxed typing environment that's particularly suitable for writers or everyday users who prioritize comfort and efficiency. Ultimately, both switches have their distinct advantages, so consider your personal typing style, sound preference, and use case to find the switch that truly resonates with you.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more