Durock Blue Lotus vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus, a tactile switch, to the Outemu Milk Blue, a clicky switch, it is important to note their key differences. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are praised for their unique combination of tactile intensity and rapid responsiveness, making them ideal for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile sensation while typing. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm and a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, these switches offer both performance and visual appeal. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue switches are known for their distinct clicking sound without any additional features or characteristics. While the Blue Lotus excels in tactile feedback, the Milk Blue delivers a satisfying clicking sound with each press. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus features a unique combination of a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a premium feel and allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches that prioritize sound quality.
Both the Blue Lotus and the Milk Blue switches use nylon for their bottom housing, allowing for a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, the top housing material differs between the two switches, with the Blue Lotus featuring a modified PC & UPE Blend and the Milk Blue featuring polycarbonate. The PC & UPE Blend top housing of the Blue Lotus provides a unique and premium feel, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Milk Blue creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. These differences in housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and sound quality of each switch.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by the housing materials are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether you choose the Durock Blue Lotus with its combination of modified PC & UPE Blend and nylon housings or the Outemu Milk Blue with its polycarbonate and nylon housings, both switches offer unique qualities that contribute to a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch with 50 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Blue Lotus requires 65 grams while the Milk Blue's bottom out force is unknown. The Blue Lotus is considered medium-heavy in terms of both actuation and bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Blue offers a lighter actuation force, which may be preferred by some users for longer typing sessions or gaming. In essence, while the Blue Lotus offers a heavier typing feel overall, the Milk Blue allows for a lighter touch when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and force required for key presses.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. With the Blue Lotus having a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Milk Blue, it may provide a slightly quicker response time for gamers looking for that fast feedback. On the other hand, the Milk Blue's slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying and deeper key press for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches offer a unique experience in terms of travel distance, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of keypress feel and responsiveness.
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 Outemu Milk Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is known for its bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. This, combined with its accented, snappy, and stepped tactile feel, provides a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a medium level of tactility without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch's sound and feel characteristics are unknown. Overall, if you enjoy a tactile switch with a bassy sound profile and a responsive, accented feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switch would be a great choice. However, if you are looking for a clicky switch with a different sound and feel profile, further research may be necessary to determine if the Outemu Milk Blue switch is the right fit for your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch that offers a blend of tactile intensity, swift responsiveness, and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switches would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches provide a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a marked tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer clicky switches with a lighter actuation force and a loud click sound, the Outemu Milk Blue switches may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Milk Blue switches will come down to your personal preference for tactility, sound, and typing feel.
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