Durock Blue Lotus vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Blue Lotus from Durock is ideal for those seeking a tactile and responsive typing experience, with its snappy feel and reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. Additionally, the detachable light column adds a stylish touch to any setup with vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches are perfect for those who prioritize a quiet typing experience without sacrificing tactile feedback. With a pronounced bump and smooth keystrokes, these switches deliver satisfying performance in a silent manner. 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
1.60 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and Outemu Silent Grey switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profile and feel. The Blue Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing offers a premium and unique feel, while the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Despite these differences, both materials provide a clear and resonant sound due to their stiffness, making them ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate material is more likely to be used in switches with clear housings, emphasizing its translucency.
On the other hand, both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, a classic switch material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic composition absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Whether it's the Blue Lotus or the Silent Grey, typing on switches with nylon bottom housing will offer a unique typing experience with more pronounced sounds. This shared characteristic highlights the importance of both top and bottom housings in contributing to the overall feel and sound of a switch.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Durock Blue Lotus and Outemu Silent Grey switches offer users a choice based on their preferences for sound and feel. While the Blue Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing for a premium feel, the Silent Grey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound profile. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience. Ultimately, whether you prefer the unique feel of the Blue Lotus or the sharper sound of the Silent Grey, both switches offer high-quality materials that enhance the typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch are quite similar, with the Blue Lotus requiring a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Grey's 50 grams. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 65 grams, making them equally medium-heavy in this aspect. This means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of force required for both switches. Ultimately, whether someone prefers a lighter or heavier switch will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Outemu Silent Grey has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Durock Blue Lotus. A difference of 0.3 mm may not seem significant, but it can affect the overall feel and typing experience for some users. Gamers who prioritize speed and quick response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Outemu Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Silent Grey 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 Blue Lotus switch from Durock is known for its deep and rich bassy sound profile that provides a satisfying auditory experience during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a quiet typing experience without sacrificing tactile feedback. When it comes to feel, the Blue Lotus switch is described as accented, snappy, and stepped, providing a medium tactile feel that is both responsive and enjoyable. In comparison, the Silent Grey switch does not have a specific feel descriptor provided.
Overall, the Durock Blue Lotus switch excels in providing a tactile typing experience with a unique blend of responsiveness and tactile feedback, as well as a deep bassy sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience without a specific feel descriptor provided. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches offer different qualities that cater to specific needs and preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a tactile switch that offers a marked tactile feel with snappiness and vibrant RGB illumination, the Blue Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch could be more fitting. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Both switches offer unique qualities, so it's important to select the one that aligns best with your individual typing style.
Mentioned in this article
