Invyr Holy Panda vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Invyr Holy Panda and the Durock Piano are two popular options that cater to different preferences. The Holy Panda is known for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, making it a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out for its smooth and silky typing experience, thanks to its proprietary material blend that offers a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. While the Holy Panda is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Snappy', the Piano is labeled as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', 'Silky'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that make it appealing, but the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the Durock Piano both offer unique sound profiles, with the Holy Panda utilizing polycarbonate for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing, while the Piano uses a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Holy Panda creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the POM blend top housing of the Piano offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact details of the blend remain unknown. This contrast highlights the different characteristics that each housing material brings to the overall sound of the switch.
In terms of the bottom housings, the nylon bottom housing of the Holy Panda produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the POM blend bottom housing of the Piano also offers a satisfying and deep sound profile, showcasing the versatility and effectiveness of different housing materials in enhancing the overall typing experience. Despite the differences in the specific materials used for the bottom housings, both the Holy Panda and the Piano aim to provide users with a unique and immersive sound profile that enhances their typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for switches plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and feel of the switch. While the Holy Panda and the Piano utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, both switches aim to provide users with a satisfying typing experience with unique sound profiles. By understanding the qualities that each housing material brings to the switch, enthusiasts can make informed decisions based on their preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Whether it be the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate or the deep and full sound of POM blend, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of sound profile and typing feel with either switch.
Weight
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have similar medium-heavy bottom out forces, with the Holy Panda being slightly heavier at 67 grams compared to the 63.5 grams of the Piano. Both switches have an unknown actuation force, but it is safe to assume that they would be in a similar range given their bottom out forces are close. The weight of a switch is important as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Holy Panda for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may appreciate the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Piano for a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. The travel distance of a switch is crucial in determining the typing experience as it can affect how deep you need to press down on a key to register a keystroke. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect a consistent typing feel regardless of which switch they choose. The similarity in travel distance ensures that whether using the Holy Panda or the Piano switch, users can enjoy a satisfying typing experience without having to adjust to different key press depths.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 Holy Panda switch is best known for its bright and satisfying "clack" with each keystroke, providing a unique acoustic resonance that tactile switch enthusiasts appreciate. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch is known for its deep and creamy sound signature, offering a bassy sound profile that enhances the typing experience. Both switches have their own distinctive sound characteristics, with the Holy Panda providing a sharper tactility in its sound, while the Piano offers a smoother and richer sound profile.
Moving on to feel, the Holy Panda is praised for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, creating an immersive typing sensation with a moderate to firm actuation force. This switch is known for its pronounced feedback and crisp tactile bump, making each keypress distinct and satisfying. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch is known for its frictionless and silky typing experience, offering an extremely smooth and effortless feel that minimizes resistance and provides a fluid travel. The Piano gives a gliding push feel that enhances the overall typing experience with its proprietary material blend.
In conclusion, the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Holy Panda provides a bright and sharp tactility with pronounced feedback, the Durock Piano offers a deep and creamy sound signature with a smooth and effortless typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Holy Panda being more tactile-focused and the Piano focusing on a smooth linear feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference, as both can deliver a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback with a sharp "clack" sound, the Holy Panda would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a deep, creamy sound profile, the Durock Piano might be more to your liking. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference in terms of feel and sound when choosing between these two exceptional switches. Keep in mind your typing style and what characteristics you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch to make the best decision for your needs.
Mentioned in this article
