Durock Blue Lotus vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Silent Frozen are both popular mechanical keyboard switches, each offering distinct features for different preferences. The Blue Lotus switches are renowned for their tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, providing a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, these switches offer a marked tactile feel, making them ideal for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come equipped with a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant and captivating RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switches from TTC are known for their extremely quiet sound profile and exceptional smoothness. These switches deliver a pillowy and creamy typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a more subtle and buttery feel. While these general pointers can help in choosing the right switch, it is essential to dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities to determine the best fit for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Silent Frozen switches differ in a few ways. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the Silent Frozen has a polycarbonate top housing. The Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend housing provides a unique and premium feel, while the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the Blue Lotus has a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent Frozen features a polycarbonate bottom housing that contributes to a clear and resonant sound. This difference in housing materials leads to variations in both the feel and sound produced by the switches.
Despite their differences, both the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Silent Frozen switches offer similar results in terms of their premium feel and improved sound profiles. The modified PC and UPE Blend top housing of the Blue Lotus provides a unique and high-quality tactile experience, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Frozen enhances the sound by creating a sharper and crisper profile. Both switches prioritize the aesthetics of the top housing, with the Silent Frozen's clear polycarbonate housing being particularly useful for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the bottom housing materials differ, with the Blue Lotus's nylon housing offering a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Frozen contributes to a clearer and resonant sound. Overall, users can expect a premium feel and improved sound from both switches, with slight variations depending on the specific housing materials used.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the choice of housing materials in the Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Silent Frozen switches plays a significant role. The bottom housing material influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing material impacts the sound when releasing a key. With the Blue Lotus's nylon bottom housing, users can expect a switch that produces a deeper and fuller sound when pressed, creating a more satisfying bottom-out experience. In contrast, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing results in a sharper and crisper sound upon pressing the keys. On the other hand, the top housing plays a role in the sound when releasing a key, with the Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend offering a unique and premium feel, and the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate contributing to a clearer and resonant sound. These differences in housing materials illustrate how the design and construction of a switch can affect the overall typing experience and the sounds produced during usage.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, significant differences become apparent. The Blue Lotus requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams as compared to the Silent Frozen's lighter actuation force of 39 grams. Similarly, the Blue Lotus has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Silent Frozen bottoms out at a relatively lighter force of 43 grams.
For those seeking a lighter typing experience, the Silent Frozen switch would be the preferable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, users can enjoy effortless keystrokes and potentially longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and forceful push when typing would find the Blue Lotus switch more suitable. The higher actuation and bottom out forces of the Blue Lotus provide a stronger tactile feedback, making it ideal for those seeking a more robust typing experience. In both cases, users can tailor their keyboard to their specific preferences.
Ultimately, weight is an important factor to consider when choosing between these switches. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Silent Frozen switch cater to those who desire extended typing comfort, while the higher forces of the Blue Lotus switch suit individuals who appreciate a more pronounced and forceful typing sensation.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is 3.7 mm, which is slightly longer than the 3.5 mm travel distance of the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Silent Frozen with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke, the Blue Lotus with its slightly longer travel distance may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing or gaming experience desired.
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 TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
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
When comparing the subjective qualities of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, we can observe some differences. Starting with sound, the Blue Lotus switch is characterized as "bassy," offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch is described as "thocky," producing a deep and satisfying sound similar to a soft "thud" or "knock." The Silent Frozen switch is also known for being low-pitched and muted, resulting in a quieter and more mellow sound compared to the Blue Lotus switch.
Moving on to feel, the Blue Lotus switch is considered "accented," providing a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming nor subtle. It is also described as "snappy," indicating its high responsiveness and lively typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switch is characterized as "stepped," meaning it has a slightly more mild tactile feel compared to switches with a bigger bump. Conversely, the Silent Frozen switch is known for being "creamy" and "buttery," offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It is also described as "feathery," requiring little exertion and reducing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. The Silent Frozen switch is considered "subtle," providing a gentle resistance and a non-resonant sound, making it suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the Silent Frozen switch is mentioned as "polished," indicating a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch offer different qualities in both sound and feel. The Blue Lotus switch provides a marked tactile feel and a bassy sound profile, while the Silent Frozen switch offers a quieter sound with a pillowy feel and a smooth typing experience. Both switches have unique characteristics that cater to specific preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a tactile and snappy typing experience with captivating visual appeal, then the Durock Blue Lotus switches would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches offer a medium-heavy touch. The Blue Lotus switches deliver a marked tactile feel, perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying keystroke. Additionally, the vibrant RGB illumination adds a visually pleasing element to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and smooth typing experience, the TTC Silent Frozen switches would be the more suitable option. With a bottom out force of 43 grams, these switches offer a lighter touch. The Silent Frozen switches are known for their extremely quiet sound profile and pillowy feel. They provide a deep and satisfying "thock" sound when pressed. Moreover, their buttery and feathery characteristics contribute to reduced finger fatigue and a comfortable typing experience. Therefore, when making a decision between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, consider your preferences for tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel to find the switch that best suits your needs.
Mentioned in this article
