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Durock Blue Lotus vs. KTT Wine Red

An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

The Durock Blue Lotus and KTT Wine Red are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct features and characteristics. The Blue Lotus is a tactile switch known for its striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With its slightly reduced travel distance at 3.7mm, these switches deliver a marked tactile feel, making them perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column, providing vibrant and glowy RGB illumination, adding visual appeal to their performance. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switches offer a different typing experience. Known for their pillowy light feel and deep, rich sound profile, these linear switches provide a smooth and consistent keypress without the tactile bump. While both switches possess certain qualities that make them desirable, it's important to delve deeper to determine which switch aligns best with your specific preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

55g

Actuation force

44g

Bottom-out force

65g

Bottom-out force

55g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

No

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

Polycarbonate

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated long spring

Spring

Progressive spring

Housing materials

The Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Wine Red housing materials have several key differences. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, while the Wine Red utilizes polycarbonate. The modified PC and UPE blend of the Blue Lotus creates a unique and premium feel, providing a satisfying tactile experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for those who prioritize a crisper typing sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it a popular choice among users who want visually appealing setups.

When it comes to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus employs nylon, a classic switch housing material. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, giving typists a more satisfying auditory experience. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, producing a duller and rounder tone. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. Its stiffer plastic composition ensures a clear and resonant typing sound. Additionally, the clear appearance of polycarbonate enables the switch to showcase RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall typing experience.

Overall, while there are some differences between the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the KTT Wine Red, they also share certain similarities. For instance, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharp and high-pitched sound profile. Similarly, both switches prioritize the use of materials that enhance RGB lighting effects, allowing users to create visually stunning setups. However, their choice of different materials for the bottom housing yields distinct auditory experiences. The Blue Lotus with its nylon bottom housing offers a deep and full sound, while the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper and crisper tone. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences in terms of sound and aesthetics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Blue Lotus requires a slightly heavier touch, with an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. In comparison, the Wine Red requires a lighter touch, with an actuation force of 44 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Blue Lotus a more substantial option for those who prefer a stronger push feel, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Wine Red offers a lighter touch, which can be advantageous for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions, as it reduces the strain on the fingers. Despite these differences, both switches fall within the medium range, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for users.

Travel distance

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have a noticeable difference in travel distance. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Wine Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Wine Red is more traditional, providing a satisfying depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you value responsiveness, the Blue Lotus with its 3.7 mm travel distance will provide the desired results. However, if you prefer a switch with a more substantial depth, the Wine Red and its 4 mm travel distance will be the better option. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.

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 KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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

In terms of sound, both the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch offer a bassy sound profile during key presses. This means that they both provide a deeper and richer sound resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. However, the Wine Red switch also has a low-pitched characteristic, resulting in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It is important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Blue Lotus switch is described as an accented switch, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Along with this, it is also a snappy switch, offering a super responsive typing experience. The snappiness of the Blue Lotus switch can be attributed to its slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, which adds to its swift responsiveness. Additionally, this switch has a stepped feel, meaning that it has a mild tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the specific feel of the KTT Wine Red switch is not described in the available information.

Taking into consideration the available information, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch seems to excel in terms of both sound and feel. With its bassy sound profile, it delivers a deeper and richer sound during key presses. The accented and snappy characteristics provide a satisfying tactile feel that is not overwhelming, making it suitable for those who enjoy a marked tactile experience. Additionally, the stepped feel adds another dimension to the typing experience. While the specific sound and feel qualities of the KTT Wine Red switch are not mentioned, it is likely that it may also provide a similar level of bassy sound and a smooth linear feel. However, without further information, it is difficult to make a direct comparison.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences in terms of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a bottom out force of 65 grams and a marked tactile feel, the Blue Lotus is the way to go. With its snappiness and slightly reduced travel, it offers a satisfying typing experience along with vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a bottom out force of 55 grams and a pillowy light type feel, the Wine Red is a great choice. It provides a deep and rich sound profile along with a mellow tone. Additionally, the Blue Lotus offers accented, snappy, and stepped feel options, while the Wine Red is known for its light type feel but lacks additional descriptors. Consider these factors when making your decision on which switch suits your preferences and typing style best.

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