Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Durock Piano

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Piano are two popular options to consider. The Jupiter Browns are tactile switches that offer a classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy weight, while the Durock Pianos provide a smooth and pleasant linear typing experience thanks to their proprietary material blend. The Jupiter Browns are known for their high-precision molds and enhanced backlight effects, appealing to those looking for both performance and aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, the Durock Pianos stand out for their gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, making them a top choice for those seeking a tactile-free typing 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

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

Durock Piano Linear

$2.80 per 10

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Piano differ in their top housing materials, with the Jupiter Brown featuring a polycarbonate top housing while the Piano boasts a proprietary POM blend top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature, while POM blend offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. On the other hand, the exact details of the POM blend used in the Piano's top housing remain unknown, adding an air of mystery to its acoustic properties.

In terms of bottom housing materials, the Jupiter Brown utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Similarly, the Durock Piano features a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, which also offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Despite the differences in the exact materials used, both switches aim to provide a rich and immersive sound experience for users during typing or gaming sessions.

When considering the overall impact of housing materials on switch performance, it's important to note that the qualities of each material will influence different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing the key. While the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Piano may have different housing materials, they both strive to enhance the overall sound profile and typing feel for users seeking a premium mechanical keyboard experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in their weight. The Jupiter Brown has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Piano's unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force of around 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. The actuation force of the Jupiter Brown offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, while the Piano's heavier bottom out force may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing dynamics.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch is equal, both measuring 4mm. When compared, both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance, providing users with the same level of keypress feedback. This means that whether you choose the Jupiter Brown or the Piano, you can expect similar results in terms of how far the switch travels when pressed. Consequently, both switches offer a similar feel and typing experience, making them both reliable options for those who prefer a standard travel distance for their keyboards.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch is known for providing a traditional, medium-heavy keystroke sound with enhanced softer backlight effects. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep, creamy sound signature that is described as bassy, providing a rich and resonant typing experience. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so your choice will depend on whether you prefer a classic tactile sound or a smoother linear sound.

When it comes to feel, the Jupiter Brown tactile switch is characterized by a mild typing experience with a smooth and polished finish, offering a safe middle-ground zone that is approachable to most users. These switches also provide a subtle stepped feel, adding a hint of tactility without being too pronounced. In contrast, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a frictionless and silky typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance and providing an exceptionally smooth key travel. The gliding push feel of the Piano switch complements its deep sound profile, making it a pleasant choice for users who prioritize smoothness in their typing experience.

Overall, both the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Jupiter Brown provides a classic tactile experience with a medium-heavy keystroke, the Durock Piano offers a smooth and frictionless typing feel with a deep, creamy sound signature. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a traditional tactile feel or a smoother linear feel for your mechanical keyboard setup. Regardless of your choice, both switches are designed to provide a high-quality typing experience that caters to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force that provides a classic keystroke feel along with reliable performance and aesthetic appeal, the Gateron Jupiter Brown would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force that offers a pleasant typing experience with a smooth and creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano would be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more