TTC Honey vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Honey and the Durock Sea Glass. The TTC Honey switches are best known for their smooth and creamy feel, providing a typing experience that is both subdued and polished. The deep and pleasant sound profile adds to the overall tactile satisfaction. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches offer a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, thanks to their proprietary material blend. Despite the 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and easy-to-press, surprising users with their frictionless nature. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Durock Sea Glass switches differ in composition but share similarities in terms of sound profiles. The Honey utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material is translucent, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches employ a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both the top and bottom housings. This blend provides a pleasant and brighter sound profile, characterized by its lack of sharpness.
While the two switches differ in their housing materials, they both prioritize sound quality. The Honey switches' polycarbonate top and bottom housings contribute to a sharper and more resonant sound when pressing down and letting go of a key. Similarly, the Sea Glass switches' polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top and bottom housings create a pleasant and brighter sound profile during key presses. Despite these differences in composition, both switches prioritize delivering an enhanced auditory experience to the user.
The impact of the housing materials on the overall feel and sound of the switches is also noteworthy. In the Honey switches, the bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing primarily affects the sound when releasing a key. This split between the top and bottom housings allows for a more dynamic auditory experience. Similarly, in the Sea Glass switches, both the top and bottom housings contribute to the overall sound profile and the tactile feedback experienced during key presses. These considerations showcase how the choice of housing materials can significantly impact the user's interaction with the switches.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it becomes evident that there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Honey switch has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, requiring a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, making it slightly more resistant to accidental keystrokes. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Sea Glass switch is noticeably heavier, requiring 62 grams of force to fully depress the key, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Honey switch has a more moderate bottom out force of 50 grams, still offering a satisfying feel while typing. Therefore, for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Honey switch would be the favorable choice, while those seeking a stronger push feel may lean towards the Sea Glass switch. Both switches offer a well-balanced actuation and bottom out force, ensuring accurate typing results.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Honey linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will experience the same distance traveled by both switches. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing experience provided by these switches. Whether you choose the Honey or the Sea Glass, you can be confident that the travel distance will be consistent and deliver a satisfactory keyboarding experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 TTC Honey linear switch is best known for its smooth and creamy feel. Typing on these switches provides a silky sensation, as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys with each keystroke. This smoothness can be attributed to the lubricant applied in the switch at the factory, as well as specific materials used. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in its typing experience, while maintaining a smooth feel. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, thanks to their frictionless nature. In terms of sound, the Honey switch offers a subdued and more subtle sound signature, while the Sea Glass switch has a uniquely hollow sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Both switches provide a frictionless and effortless typing experience, minimizing resistance and friction when pressing the keys. Overall, while the Honey and Sea Glass switches have their own unique qualities, they both offer a smooth typing experience. If you prefer a more subdued and smoother feel, the Honey switch would be a great choice. If you prefer a drier, wispier feel with a lightweight touch, the Sea Glass switch would be a good option. Ultimately, your personal preference and the other components of your keyboard setup will play a role in determining the exact sound and feel you experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light and smooth typing experience, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches provide a light and easy-to-press feel, which reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Honey switches have been praised for their creamy and buttery typing experience, giving you a silky sensation as you glide your fingers across the keys. Additionally, they offer a subdued sound profile, producing a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight switch with a unique sound signature, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is worth considering. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations and offer a frictionless typing experience. The Sea Glass switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, creating a uniquely hollow sound signature. Furthermore, they are described as mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between TTC Honey and Durock Sea Glass switches depends on your preference for typing feel, sound, and aesthetic appeal.
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