Durock Dolphin vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Dolphin and the Outemu Spring Breeze offer two distinct options for different preferences. The Durock Dolphin is a linear switch known for its silent operation, making it a perfect choice for quiet office environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, it provides a satisfying press with a bit more resistance, ideal for those who prefer a balance of precision and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze is a clicky switch with no specific standout features. While the Dolphin is categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', 'Low-pitched,' the Spring Breeze lacks any specific categorization. When choosing between these two switches, the Durock Dolphin is favored for its silence and feel, while the Outemu Spring Breeze may appeal to those looking for a more traditional clicky switch experience. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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 Durock Dolphin and the Outemu Spring Breeze both use nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder noise when compared to stiffer plastics. The difference in sound between the two switches may be minimal due to the similar material used in their bottom housings, but slight variations may still be noticeable depending on individual preferences.
However, when it comes to the top housing material, the Durock Dolphin uses polycarbonate while the Outemu Spring Breeze uses nylon. The polycarbonate top housing of the Dolphin creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Spring Breeze elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder noise. This difference in top housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, making them unique in their own ways.
In summary, while both the Durock Dolphin and the Outemu Spring Breeze use nylon for their bottom housing, the top housing materials set them apart. The Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound, while the Spring Breeze's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. These differences in top housing materials contribute to the overall sound profile of each switch, showcasing the importance of housing materials in mechanical keyboards. Whether you prefer a sharper, higher-pitched sound or a deeper, fuller sound, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to various preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, there are noticeable differences. The Dolphin has an actuation force of None grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes compared to the Spring Breeze, which requires 40 grams of force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Dolphin has a heavier 62 grams compared to the Spring Breeze's 55 grams. This means that while the Spring Breeze may require a lighter touch to actuate, the Dolphin offers a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. Both switches fall within the medium range of bottom out force, but the Spring Breeze is considered medium-light compared to the Dolphin. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether the user prefers a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or a heavier bottom out force for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch boasts a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch offers a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Spring Breeze being on the longer side. Gamers may prefer the Dolphin for its slightly shorter travel distance, providing faster response times during intense gameplay. On the other hand, those looking for a switch with a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Spring Breeze with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
The Outemu Spring Breeze comes in at $3.10 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
The Durock Dolphin linear switch is praised for its muted and low-pitched sound profile, making it perfect for environments where noise levels need to be kept at a minimum. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch's sound profile is unknown. When it comes to feel, the Dolphin offers a polished typing experience, with smooth key travel and reduced friction for a sleek feel. However, the feel of the Spring Breeze switch is not specified. Overall, if you are looking for a quieter switch with a medium-heavy actuation force and a polished feel, the Durock Dolphin linear switch would be a great choice. If you are unsure about the sound and feel preferences, you can expect similar results with both switches by pairing them with the same keyboard and keycap combinations.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a silent switch with a medium-heavy actuation force and a polished typing experience, the Durock Dolphin linear switch would be a great choice for you. However, if you prefer a clicky switch with a lighter actuation force, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and needs, whether it be for a quiet office environment or a more tactile typing experience. In the end, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so choose wisely based on what suits you best.
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