Durock Daybreak vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to explore are the Durock Daybreak and the Jwick Splash Brothers, both linear switches. The Durock Daybreak is praised for its solid 67g weight, providing a substantial typing experience favored by those who appreciate a heavier touch. Additionally, its quiet operation makes it suitable for work environments where noise reduction is crucial. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers offers a unique typing feel with its shorter activation and long pole stem, reminiscent of the dynamic duo Steph and Klay. The switches also deliver a creamy sound signature, adding to the overall typing experience. While the Daybreak is characterized as polished, muted, and low-pitched, the Splash Brothers are described as neutral, mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. These general descriptions can help guide your decision, but diving deeper into the specifics of each switch will ultimately assist you in determining which one best suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Durock Daybreak and Jwick Splash Brothers both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic material. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of both switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing.
Despite their similarities in housing materials, the Durock Daybreak and Jwick Splash Brothers may offer slightly different typing experiences due to their housing configurations. The top and bottom housing materials play a crucial role in determining the sound profile and feel of a switch. Pressing down on a switch will amplify the qualities of the bottom housing, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while releasing a key will showcase the characteristics of the top housing, influencing the sound during the release of the key. This split between top and bottom housing can create a unique typing experience for each switch.
Overall, both the Durock Daybreak and Jwick Splash Brothers offer a balance of sharp, high-pitched sounds from the polycarbonate top housing and deep, full sounds from the nylon bottom housing. While the housing materials may be the same for both switches, the slight variations in their configurations can result in subtle differences in typing feel and sound. Whether you prefer a crisper sound profile from the polycarbonate top housing or a deeper sound profile from the nylon bottom housing, both switches offer a combination of qualities that cater to different preferences in keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, we can see that the Daybreak has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Splash Brothers has a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it light. Both switches have an unknown actuation force. The difference in weight between the two switches can greatly impact the typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Splash Brothers for extended use, such as for work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Daybreak may be more suitable for users who prefer a heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in how a switch feels and performs during use.
Travel distance
The Durock Daybreak linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, slightly longer than the Jwick Splash Brothers switch with a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those looking for quick responsiveness. Gamers may particularly appreciate these shorter travel distances for faster reaction times. However, if you prefer a more substantial feeling when pressing down on a key, you may lean towards the Daybreak switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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, the Durock Daybreak linear switch offers a muted and low-pitched experience, making it a great option for those looking for a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying mechanical feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch provides a creamy and neutral sound signature, offering a pleasant typing sound suitable for a variety of environments. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, but ultimately deliver a satisfying auditory experience. When comparing the two, users can expect similar results in terms of sound due to their different but equally appealing characteristics.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Daybreak linear switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offers a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished typing feel, combining gentle resistance with a responsive and lively feedback sensation. While the Daybreak switch focuses on a polished and refined feel, the Splash Brothers switch offers a more dynamic and engaging typing experience with its range of qualities. Users can expect a comfortable and enjoyable typing feel from both switches, each catering to different preferences with their distinct characteristics.
Overall, the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Daybreak switch provides a quieter and heftier typing experience with a muted and low-pitched sound, while the Splash Brothers switch offers a creamy and neutral sound signature paired with a mild, snappy, bouncy, and subtle typing feel. Whether users prefer a sleek and polished typing experience or a more dynamic and responsive feel, both switches deliver a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience with their individual qualities. Ultimately, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch, tailored to their specific preferences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prefer a heavier typing experience with a quieter sound profile, the Durock Daybreak linear switch with its 67g bottom out force would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter touch with a creamy sound signature and a more neutral feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch with its 48g bottom out force would suit your preferences better. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal typing preferences and the type of environment in which you plan to use them.
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