Durock Blue Lotus vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and intended use. The Durock Blue Lotus switches stand out due to their tactile intensity and quick responsiveness, featuring a reduced travel distance of 3.7mm that enhances their snappiness. This unique characteristic makes them particularly appealing for typists and gamers alike who crave a pronounced tactile feel and dynamic feedback. Additionally, their detachable light column allows for dazzling RGB illumination, merging solid performance with striking aesthetics. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches offer a smooth and balanced typing experience, characterized by their deep sound and satisfying operation. These hall effect switches excel in versatility, especially given their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards, which adds an extra layer of adaptability for enthusiasts seeking performance enhancements. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, offering unique benefits for various users; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding, it becomes evident that while they share a common bottom housing material, their top housing compositions differ, resulting in a variety of sound profiles and aesthetics. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC (polycarbonate) and UPE blend for its top housing, which offers a unique and premium tactile feel. In contrast, the Rice Pudding employs a pure polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. This variance in materials influences the audible experience of each switch, with the Blue Lotus providing a more muted response when typing compared to the Rice Pudding's clear and resonant sound.

Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, granting them a commonality that enhances their acoustic characteristics. Nylon is noted for its softer nature, which absorbs sound and leads to a deeper, fuller auditory experience when typing. This element of design means that while the top housing contributes different tonal qualities—defined by their respective materials—the bottom housing serves to unify the overall sound profile, imparting a satisfying warmth and richness to keystrokes. Consequently, whether one opts for the Blue Lotus or the Rice Pudding, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that users will enjoy a deeply resonant typing experience that feels consistent across both models.

Despite having a similar bottom housing, the distinct qualities of the top materials provide each switch with its own unique flavor. The Durock Blue Lotus, with its modified PC and UPE blend, might appeal to users seeking a more luxurious feel, while the Everglide Rice Pudding caters to those who prioritize acuity and clarity in their typing experience. As a result, the choice between these switches largely depends on individual preference regarding tactile feedback and desired sound profile. However, both switches can achieve similar results in terms of depth and fullness due to their shared nylon material, balancing the overall acoustic experience for typists.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch to the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, significant differences in actuation and bottom out forces are evident. The Blue Lotus features a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams, coupled with a bottom out force of 65 grams. In contrast, the Rice Pudding is lighter, with an actuation force of just 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This disparity means that typists who favor lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions will find the Rice Pudding more suitable, while those who prefer a more substantial feel with stronger tactile feedback should lean towards the Blue Lotus. Thus, if you're seeking a lighter option, the Rice Pudding is the clear choice, while the Blue Lotus delivers a heavier, more robust typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we find that the Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Rice Pudding measures at 3.5 mm. This means the Blue Lotus offers a slightly longer travel distance. For those who favor a more traditional feel or a heartier depth in their keystrokes, the Blue Lotus may be the optimal choice, providing a more pronounced bottom-out experience. Conversely, if quick response times are paramount, the Rice Pudding's shorter travel distance might be more appealing, as it allows for faster actuation. Thus, users can choose based on their preference for either deeper travel or a more responsive action.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switch delivers a rich, bassy tone that enhances the auditory experience while typing. This deep sound profile not only provides a satisfying auditory feedback but also adds a layer of character to every keystroke. The depth and richness associated with bass tones can make for an engaging experience, particularly in a quiet environment where each press is amplified. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch's sound qualities are yet to be detailed, leaving its auditory experience undetermined. However, it’s important to note that the sound produced by any switch can be significantly influenced by factors such as the keyboard's build and the choice of keycaps.

In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus offers a blend of tactile characteristics that cater to various typing preferences. With its accented and snappy nature, it delivers a medium tactile feedback that is noticeable but not overpowering, striking the right balance for users who appreciate a pronounced tactile experience without excessive harshness. Additionally, the stepped design of the switch provides distinct stages in the keystroke, allowing for a nuanced typing experience that keeps users engaged. In contrast, there are no specific tactile descriptions provided for the Everglide Rice Pudding switch, which leaves its unique feel open to interpretation. This absence of information means that potential users may not have a clear understanding of its tactile feedback until they experience it firsthand.

In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch shines in both sound and feel, boasting a rich bassy sound alongside a well-rounded tactile experience. Meanwhile, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch presents an intriguing option but lacks detailed descriptions for both its auditory and tactile qualities, leaving enthusiasts curious about its performance in these areas. For those seeking a lively typing experience, the Blue Lotus is a strong contender, while the Rice Pudding’s versatility and compatibility with specialized keyboards could make it an attractive choice, albeit with unknown tactile and sound profiles. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences and styles, ensuring that newcomers in the mechanical keyboard world have diverse options to explore.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you favor a tactile experience that is both snappy and pronounced, the Blue Lotus would be an ideal match for you, especially if you appreciate a medium-heavy key feel and a deeper sound profile. These switches cater beautifully to those who enjoy a blend of tactile responsiveness and visual flair due to their enhanced RGB capabilities. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch and a smoother typing sensation, the Rice Pudding offers a delightful typing experience that emphasizes precision, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or for tasks where speed is essential. Moreover, its compatibility with innovative keyboards adds versatility for any enthusiasts looking to explore new features. By understanding the distinct qualities and characteristics of each switch, you can make an informed decision tailored to your preferences in both feel and functionality.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more