Durock Blue Lotus vs. Outemu Phoenix

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two standout options are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Phoenix. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are hailed for their impressive blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches offer a snappy feel that is perfect for those who crave a pronounced tactile experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come equipped with a detachable light column, which results in vibrant, glowy RGB illumination and adds a captivating visual appeal to any keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Phoenix switches from Outemu offer a truly unique clicky experience. With their under-skirt click mechanism, they stand out as one of the most distinct clicky switches available today. The Phoenix switches deliver a crystalline and sparkling feel and sound profile, making each keystroke feel like a moment of satisfaction. Although these general descriptions provide a good starting point for choosing a switch, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond the generalities to help you make the best decision for your specific needs and preferences.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Outemu Phoenix Clicky

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$4.15 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Phoenix differ in their housing materials, which contributes to their distinct sound profiles. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, known for its unique and premium feel. This blend creates a switch that offers a softer and rounder sound profile due to the absorption of sound by the UPE material. In contrast, the Phoenix utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's inherent stiffness enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the Blue Lotus comes with a nylon bottom housing, enhancing the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to the softer nature of the material. On the other hand, the Phoenix employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, contributing to the switch's overall sharp and crisp sound profile in combination with the top housing material.

While both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, there are notable differences in how this material impacts their performance. The Blue Lotus, featuring a modified PC and UPE Blend, offers a unique and premium feel, which can also be experienced in switches like the Durock Black Lotus. Meanwhile, the Phoenix leverages polycarbonate's translucency to enhance RGB lighting effects, making it an ideal choice if you plan to utilize vibrant lighting setups. Both switches benefit from the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, resulting in a clearer and more resonant sound profile compared to other housing materials.

When it comes to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus uses nylon, which absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, leading to a duller and rounder sound. This material choice provides a typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. Conversely, the Phoenix utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which aligns with its overall goal of producing sharper and crisper sound characteristics. While the bottom housing primarily impacts the sound and feel during the bottom-out action of pressing a key, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key, emphasizing the importance of both housing materials in the overall typing experience.

In summary, the Durock Blue Lotus and Outemu Phoenix differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Blue Lotus combines a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing with a nylon bottom housing to offer a unique, softer, and rounder sound experience, while the Phoenix utilizes polycarbonate for both top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, both switches benefit from the stiffer nature of polycarbonate in their respective top housings, providing a clearer and more resonant sound compared to other materials. The bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing contributes to the sound when releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, their actuation forces and bottom out forces differ slightly. The Durock Blue Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the actuation force for the Outemu Phoenix switch is unavailable, but its bottom out force is measured at 62 grams, which places it in the medium category.

Considering weight as an important factor in switch selection, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Durock Blue Lotus. Its lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, making it ideal for extended work or gaming sessions. In contrast, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel might find the Outemu Phoenix switch more suitable. With its slightly heavier bottom out force, it provides a stronger push sensation, resulting in a more pronounced typing experience.

Although the actuation force for the Outemu Phoenix switch is unknown in this comparison, it is worth noting that if both switches had the same actuation force, they would yield similar results in terms of typing sensitivity and responsiveness. However, their varying bottom out forces showcase the unique characteristics and preferences that different individuals may have when selecting a switch.

Travel distance

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch have different travel distances. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Phoenix has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, which is commonly found in keyboards. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times during intense gaming sessions. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the Blue Lotus with its 3.7 mm travel distance would be a suitable option. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial key press, the Outemu Phoenix with its slightly longer 3.3 mm travel distance may be more to your liking.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus has a bassy profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. This creates a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix is described as crunchy, which is commonly associated with clicky switches. The sound of the Phoenix can be compared to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches have several descriptors. They are described as accented, meaning they provide a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The Blue Lotus switches are also snappy, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs that make the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, these switches have a stepped feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving a mild sensation compared to a full-on bump throughout the whole keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix switches are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Considering all the available information, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are known for their tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. They offer a distinctive and marked tactile feel, accompanied by a snappiness and stepped sensation. These switches also come with detachable light columns for vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix switches stand out due to their unique under-skirt click mechanism, which creates a crystalline and sparkling sound and feel. While the Blue Lotus has a bassy sound profile, the Phoenix offers a crunchy clicky sound. Both switches provide subjective experiences based on personal preference. Overall, if you enjoy a tactile feel with a deeper sound, the Blue Lotus would be a great choice. If you prefer a clicky switch with a crystalline sound and polished feel, the Outemu Phoenix would be a suitable option. Keep in mind that other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps may also influence the overall experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and snappy responsiveness, this switch provides a satisfying typing experience. It is also described as having an accented and stepped feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique clicky switch with a sparkling feel and sound profile, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch is the way to go. With a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a satisfying typing experience with its under-skirt click mechanism. Additionally, it is described as having a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for tactile feel and sound, as well as the desired visual appeal and typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Phoenix Clicky

$4.15 per 10

Learn more