Durock Daybreak vs. Bsun Ragdoll
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Ragdoll switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Ragdoll can significantly impact your typing experience. The Durock Daybreak switches are designed for those who appreciate a heftier feel, boasting a 67g actuation force that provides a substantial and deliberate typing experience. Their muted operation makes them perfect for quieter environments, allowing you to type away without disturbing colleagues or family members. On the other hand, the Bsun Ragdoll offers a distinctively smooth travel, thanks to its Y3 stem and a nylon-fiberglass bottom housing that creates a satisfying clacky sound. While the Daybreak emphasizes a polished and muted touch, the Ragdoll appeals to those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback in their keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches serve unique preferences, catering to different typing styles and environments; 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
21mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Ragdoll showcase distinct materials for their top housings, leading to markedly different acoustic profiles. The Daybreak utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and translucency. This characteristic allows for a sharper, higher-pitched sound with excellent clarity and resonates well, making it particularly suitable for setups that utilize RGB lighting. In contrast, the Ragdoll's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic nature, which absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. While both materials provide unique auditory experiences, the polycarbonate top of the Daybreak excels in brightness and clarity, whereas the nylon top of the Ragdoll offers a more subdued, rounded sound.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, both the Daybreak and Ragdoll employ nylon, a classic material renowned for its ability to produce a full sound profile. With this similarity, both switches share a comparable bottom-out feel characterized by a duller resonance. Since the bottom housing has a more significant influence on the sensations experienced while bottoming out, users can expect a consistent tactile feedback from both switches, regardless of the differences in their top housings. This commonality may lead to a satisfying and cohesive typing experience that gives both switches an appealing feel during use.
Overall, the contrasting top housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and Bsun Ragdoll lead to differing sound qualities; however, the use of nylon in the bottom housings creates a unified experience when bottoming out. Users who prefer brighter and crisper sound profiles might gravitate toward the Daybreak with its polycarbonate top, while those who appreciate a more muted sound may opt for the Ragdoll. Yet, both switches promise a consistent interaction with mechanical feedback owing to their shared nylon foundation in the bottom housing, highlighting how a mix of material properties can influence a keyboard's acoustic and tactile performance.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Daybreak linear switch to the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces highlight their distinct characteristics. The Daybreak's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which categorizes it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Ragdoll switch has a clearer specification with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, marking it as medium-light. This means that the Ragdoll requires less effort to trigger a keystroke, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch, ideal for prolonged typing sessions. Conversely, the Daybreak, being heavier, may appeal to users seeking a more substantial tactile experience. Overall, the Ragdoll switch is the lighter option, while the Daybreak is heavier, allowing potential users to make an informed choice depending on their personal preference for actuation feel and typing comfort.
Travel distance
The Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch both share the same travel distance of 3.8 mm, indicating that users will experience a similar key press depth when using either switch. This equal travel distance means that both switches will deliver comparable feedback and responsiveness during typing or gaming sessions. As a result, individuals seeking consistency in key travel can confidently choose either switch without concern for differences in pressing depth, ensuring a uniform experience across both options.
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 Ragdoll has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ragdoll for $3.29.
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 sound characteristics of the Durock Daybreak and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switches, the Daybreak clearly stands out. It is known for its muted and low-pitched sound, which produces a softer and quieter auditory experience, making it particularly suitable for office environments or any setting where noise reduction is essential. Conversely, the sound quality of the Ragdoll is less defined, leaving an unknown aspect regarding its auditory profile. This uncertainty may mean that the Ragdoll could be more versatile in sound, but it also may not achieve the same level of quiet operation as the Daybreak.
In terms of feel, the Durock Daybreak switch shines with its polished texture, providing a smooth and refined experience that many typists will appreciate. This polished feel is achieved through either high-quality materials or effective factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and enhanced key travel. The characteristics of the Ragdoll switch, however, remain unspecified, which leaves a gap in understanding how it will compare in terms of tactile feedback. Consequently, those who prioritize the tactile sensation of their switches may find themselves drawn to the Daybreak for its clearly defined smoothness.
In conclusion, while the Durock Daybreak linear switch is celebrated for its muted sound and polished feel, the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch lacks defined sound and feel qualities based on the available information. For newcomers to mechanical keyboards, selecting the Daybreak will offer a reliable and quieter typing experience, ideal for shared spaces, alongside a smooth keypress. However, without definitive qualities for the Ragdoll, its overall appeal remains a bit ambiguous, and it might be worth exploring individual preferences to determine which switch aligns best with one's typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch, your personal preferences and typing habits will play a significant role in your decision. If you prefer a more substantial feel with a bottom-out force of 67 grams for a firmer typing experience, especially in quiet environments where muted and low-pitched feedback is ideal, the Daybreak switches will likely meet your needs perfectly. They are especially advantageous in workspaces where noise reduction is crucial due to their subtle sound profile and polished finish, providing you with a smooth yet tactile experience. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 52 grams, the Ragdoll switches will provide you with a quicker response and ease of typing, making them an excellent choice for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks. Additionally, their nylon-fiberglass housing contributes to a distinctive clacky sound, allowing for a more dynamic auditory experience while you type. Ultimately, the best switch for you will depend on whether you prioritize a heavier, quieter feel or a lighter, more expressive typing experience.