Durock Daybreak vs. Bsun Light Sakura
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Light Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Light Sakura stand out as two exceptional linear options, each catering to different user preferences. The Daybreak, with its robust 67g actuation force, offers a more substantial and tactile typing experience, making it an appealing choice for users who prefer a heavier touch while maintaining a quiet operation ideal for work environments. Its polished, muted, and low-pitched characteristics ensure a refined feel that minimizes auditory distractions. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura switch is designed with comfort in mind, featuring an ultra-light actuation that promotes effortless typing. Its silent operation and gentle feedback make it perfect for long typing sessions, providing a fatigue-reducing experience without the noise, making it particularly suitable for shared spaces. Both switches excel in creating a tranquil work atmosphere, yet they cater to vastly different typing preferences—one emphasizing heft and tactile feedback and the other prioritizing lightness and comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The Durock Daybreak and Bsun Light Sakura share a commonality in their top housing material, with both utilizing polycarbonate. This choice influences their sound profiles significantly, producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper auditory experience. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, which is particularly beneficial when considering aesthetic elements such as RGB lighting. This translucency not only enhances the visual appeal but also allows for a vivid illumination effect, creating an enticing look when equipped with RGB capabilities. As a result, both switches exhibit similar sound qualities when it comes to the top housing, providing a consistent auditory signature whether one chooses the Daybreak or the Light Sakura.
In contrast, the bottom housing materials present a divergence between the two switches. The Durock Daybreak utilizes nylon as its bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties. This material absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, yielding a duller and rounder audio signature that contrasts with the crisper sound from its polycarbonate top. On the other hand, the Bsun Light Sakura opts for polycarbonate in its bottom housing, which aligns more closely with the sound characteristics of its top housing. This adherence to the stiffer polycarbonate results in a sound profile that mirrors the upper section, creating a cohesive auditory experience throughout the switch.
Ultimately, the combination of different materials in the Daybreak and the Light Sakura means that while they may share a sharp and clear high-end sound due to their polycarbonate tops, the experience of pressing and bottoming out will differ significantly. With the nylon bottom housing in the Daybreak, the overall sound will be rounder and warmer, blending the crispness of the polycarbonate above with a softened robustness below. In contrast, the Light Sakura will deliver a more consistent sound across both the top and bottom, maintaining that sharpness through to the actuation and bottom-out moment. Thus, while both switches can offer excellent sound profiles, the varying bottom materials shape a distinctly different tactile and auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, the differences in actuation force and bottom out force are quite pronounced. The Daybreak features a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, but unfortunately, its actuation force is unknown. In contrast, the Light Sakura offers a much lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of only 43 grams. This makes the Light Sakura the lighter option, ideal for users who prefer less resistance during extended typing sessions, while the heavier Daybreak may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. As such, users can expect a significant difference in typing experience between these two switches, with the Daybreak providing a heavier push and the Light Sakura ensuring a smoother, lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, it is clear that they differ slightly. The Daybreak features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Light Sakura has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that if you prioritize quicker response times typical of gaming, the Light Sakura would be the preferable choice due to its reduced travel distance. Conversely, the Durock Daybreak might appeal more to those who appreciate a deeper feel under their fingers, providing a more pronounced feedback during use. Overall, the Daybreak is the longer option, while the Light Sakura is the shorter one, catering to different preferences in tactile experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
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 it comes to sound, the Durock Daybreak switch is characterized by a muted quality, producing a softer and quieter sound that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. It's also described as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. This makes it suitable for environments where noise reduction is crucial. In comparison, while the Bsun Light Sakura switch is also designed to be quiet, specific sound characteristics aren't detailed. However, it's known for its discretion, suggesting a similar focus on minimizing auditory disruption.
In terms of feel, the Daybreak switch stands out for its polished finish, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. This results in reduced friction and an overall sleek key travel. The 67g actuation force contributes to a heftier typing experience that some users may prefer. On the other hand, the Light Sakura is designed for ultra-light use, but no specific descriptors of its feel are provided. This indicates that it may offer a different typing experience altogether, aimed at comfort and reduced fatigue during extended use.
In conclusion, both the Durock Daybreak and Bsun Light Sakura switches offer quiet operations suitable for shared environments, making them appealing options for office workers. While the Daybreak provides a more substantial typing feel due to its heavier actuation force and polished smoothness, the Light Sakura focuses on comfort and a potentially gentler touch. Ultimately, while you may find some similarities in sound characteristics, the feel between the two switches may appeal to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using them. If you appreciate a more substantial feel and prefer a heavier actuation force, the Daybreak's 67g bottom-out force will give you the tactile responsiveness you need for a more engaged typing experience. This switch is ideal for those who thrive on a solid, polished key feel and want to keep distractions at bay with its muted, low-pitched sound—making it perfect for quieter workspaces. On the other hand, if you're looking for a lightweight switch that prioritizes comfort during extended typing sessions, the Light Sakura is your go-to option. Its ultra-light 43g actuation force will allow for effortless key presses, reducing fatigue while still maintaining a discreet operation. This makes it an exceptional choice for shared spaces or offices where noise might be a concern. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value the solid feedback of a heavier switch or prefer the ease and comfort of a lighter one.