Zuoce Bubblegum vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Bubblegum and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Zuoce Bubblegum and Durock Sea Glass linear switches stand out with their distinct characteristics. The Bubblegum switch from Gold Grain offers a satisfyingly clacky typing experience and is perfect for those seeking a bouncy feel while typing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock presents a dry, airy typing experience with a unique hollowness and smoothness despite its 62g bottom-out force. While the Bubblegum switch is known for its clacky and bouncy feel, the Sea Glass switch is categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. 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
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM+SL
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Zuoce Bubblegum and Durock Sea Glass both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Bubblegum utilizes POM for its top housing, creating a deep and relatively muted sound, while the Sea Glass combines Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for a brighter yet not sharp sound profile. However, both switches aim to provide a pleasing auditory experience but achieve it through different material compositions. The contrast in sound character between the two housing materials adds diversity to the typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Bubblegum uses classic nylon, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder profile. On the other hand, the Sea Glass opts for a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, offering a sound that is also pleasant but on the brighter side. While both switches aim for a pleasing sound profile, the choice of materials—nylon for Bubblegum and the blend for Sea Glass—adds distinctiveness to the typing experience.
The impact of the housing materials on the sound profile is crucial, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in materials used for their respective top and bottom housing, the Bubblegum and Sea Glass both strive to create an enjoyable typing experience through their unique sound profiles. By understanding the qualities of each housing material, users can appreciate the nuanced differences in sound and feel between these switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Zuoce Bubblegum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is clear that the Bubblegum is the lighter option with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. On the other hand, the Sea Glass is the heavier choice with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Bubblegum would be the better choice. However, for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Sea Glass would be more suitable. In terms of actuation force, both switches require a relatively light touch to trigger a keystroke, but in terms of bottom out force, the Sea Glass requires a significantly heavier force compared to the Bubblegum. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and force feedback.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Bubblegum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Bubblegum switch provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which is favored by gamers looking for faster reactions. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, giving a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches provide different experiences in terms of travel distance, with the Bubblegum being better suited for speed and the Sea Glass for those who prefer a more deliberate key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Bubblegum has an MSRP of $3.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bubblegum for $2.30.
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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, the Zuoce Bubblegum linear switch provides a clacky typing experience, characterized by a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving off a crisp, bright, and percussive tone. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature due to its proprietary material blend. It emanates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, providing a different auditory experience compared to the Bubblegum. Both switches offer contrasting sound profiles, with the Bubblegum being clacky and the Sea Glass being hollow, allowing users to choose based on their preference for typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Zuoce Bubblegum switch is described as bouncy, offering a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation that gives a lively feel and rebound when pressed. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switch is characterized by its frictionless nature, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with no sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is also described as mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, offering a gentle typing experience with light actuation force, minimal exertion, and reduced finger fatigue. While the Bubblegum switch focuses on a bouncy and lively feel, the Sea Glass switch prioritizes smoothness and ease of typing, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
Overall, the Zuoce Bubblegum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer unique characteristics in sound and feel, providing users with diverse options to choose from based on their preferences. The Bubblegum switch is known for its clacky sound and bouncy feel, appealing to those seeking a sharp and lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch stands out with its hollow sound signature and frictionless, smooth feel, offering a different auditory and tactile sensation for users looking for a distinct typing experience. Both switches bring something distinctive to the table, allowing users to explore and enjoy the innovative frontier of mechanical keyboard switches in their hobby.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Zuoce Bubblegum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you enjoy a light and bouncy typing experience with a clacky sound, the Bubblegum switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing feel with a more medium bottom out force and a unique hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass switch might be the better option. Ultimately, both switches offer distinctive characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to test them out and see which one aligns best with your typing style.
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