Durock Daybreak vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing the Durock Daybreak and TTC Silent Red mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches known for their quiet operation. The Durock Daybreak offers a solid typing experience with a heavier 67g actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a more substantial touch while maintaining a low-pitched and muted sound profile, perfect for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch provides a smooth and seamless typing experience without the loud noise, suitable for office or shared living spaces, with a buttery and mild feel all the way through and a padded bottom-out for added comfort. 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
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and TTC Silent Red switches offer unique characteristics that ultimately affect the sound and feel of the switches. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for better RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Daybreak and Silent Red switches have nylon bottom housings, which produce a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer nature of the plastic that absorbs more sound.
While both the Daybreak and Silent Red switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, their differing bottom housing materials contribute to distinct typing experiences. The nylon bottom housing of the Daybreak imparts a duller and rounder sound, contrasting with the sharper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing. On the other hand, the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing complements the crisper sound of its polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a unique typing experience characterized by a balance of depth and clarity in sound.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and TTC Silent Red switches showcases how different plastics can impact the sound and feel of mechanical switches. While both switches offer high-quality materials for their housings, the Daybreak leans towards a sharper sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Red strikes a balance between crispness and depth in sound with its combination of polycarbonate and nylon. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in typing experience and sound output.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that they both fall under the medium-heavy category in terms of bottom out force. However, the actuation force of the Daybreak is listed as None grams, while the Silent Red requires 45 grams. This means that the Silent Red will require a slightly lighter touch to activate a keypress compared to the Daybreak. In terms of bottom out force, the Daybreak is slightly heavier at 67 grams compared to the Silent Red's 63.5 grams. This suggests that the Daybreak may provide a slightly more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer press feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with lighter weights being better for longer typing sessions and heavier weights for a more pronounced typing feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we can see that Daybreak has a travel distance of 3.8 mm while Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Daybreak has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Red, making it ideal for those who prefer a bit more depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a slightly shorter travel distance, suitable for those who value faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the market. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance when typing or gaming.
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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 Daybreak and TTC Silent Red switches are described as muted, offering a softer and quieter typing experience compared to louder switches. The Daybreak is also noted for producing a low-pitched sound, giving it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, both switches excel in minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them great choices for quieter environments like offices or shared spaces.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Daybreak switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing sensation with reduced friction and sleek key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is said to have a buttery feel, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Silent Red switch is noted for its mild characteristics, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Daybreak focusing on a polished finish and the Silent Red offering a buttery and uniform sensation.
In conclusion, both the Durock Daybreak and TTC Silent Red switches share similarities in their muted sound profile, making them ideal choices for those seeking a quieter typing experience. While the Daybreak switch emphasizes a heavier actuation force and low-pitched sound, the Silent Red switch offers a buttery and mild feel for a smoother keystroke experience. Ultimately, both switches provide excellent options for users looking for a comfortable and quiet mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, consider your preference for actuation force and noise level. If you prefer a heavier actuation force and a low-pitched sound, the Durock Daybreak switch might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smoother typing experience with a lighter actuation force and a quieter sound profile, the TTC Silent Red switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose based on your individual typing needs and preferences.
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