TKC Kiwi vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the TKC Kiwi and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that can greatly enhance your typing experience are the TKC Kiwi and the Durock White Lotus. The Kiwi switches are known for their medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, providing a satisfying and immersive typing experience. With a snappy sound profile and smooth factory lubing, these switches are ready to use right out of the box. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making them ideal for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. Additionally, their removable light column allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a mesmerizing glow to your keyboard setup. 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
43g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TKC Kiwi and the Durock White Lotus differ in several aspects. The Kiwi features a UHWMPE top housing, which creates a bright sound signature and produces resonant clacks while typing. On the other hand, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, resulting in a unique and premium feel. Despite these differences, both housings offer distinct qualities that enhance the overall typing experience. Users can expect satisfying and audible noises while typing on both switches, although the Kiwi's UHWMPE top housing may provide slightly brighter sounds compared to the White Lotus.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Kiwi employs UHWMPE, while the White Lotus utilizes nylon. When it comes to sound profile, the nylon bottom housing of the White Lotus creates a deeper and fuller tone. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Kiwi maintains a bright sound signature, similar to its top housing counterpart. Therefore, typing on the Kiwi switch with its UHWMPE bottom housing will provide a consistent and resonant clacking sound, complementing the top housing's characteristics.
In terms of user experience, both switches excel in different domains based on their housing materials. The TKC Kiwi prioritizes bright sound signatures and resonant clacks. Thus, the combination of UHWMPE top and bottom housings delivers a consistent and satisfying typing sound. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus focuses on providing a unique and premium feel with its modified PC & UPE Blend top housing and nylon bottom housing. The resulting typing experience is characterized by deeper and fuller sound profiles. Despite these distinctions, users can expect similarly exceptional results from both switches, as they prioritize sound quality and incorporate materials that enhance the typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are notable differences. The TKC Kiwi has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the White Lotus' slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Kiwi requires a heavier force of 67 grams, whereas the White Lotus only requires 56 grams. This means that the Kiwi provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, making it suitable for those who prefer a firmer keypress. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a lighter actuation force, which allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the Kiwi leans towards the heavier side while the White Lotus leans towards the lighter side. Therefore, depending on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces, they can choose the switch that best suits their typing style and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have identical travel distances of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Consequently, both switches offer a consistent and satisfying tactile feedback to users. Whether you choose the TKC Kiwi or the Durock White Lotus, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
The TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00 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, both the TKC Kiwi and the Durock White Lotus switches have a low-pitched sound profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. In addition, both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the TKC Kiwi switch is described as having a stepped and accented tactile feel. Stepped switches provide a two-stage tactile experience, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Accented switches, on the other hand, offer a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, the Kiwi switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch is described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. Easy-to-press switches offer gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Mild switches offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. They provide a safe middle-ground feel that is approachable to most typists. Finally, subtle switches have a gentle resistance and a sound signature that is not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces.
Based on the available information, both the TKC Kiwi and the Durock White Lotus switches offer tactile experiences with their own unique qualities. The Kiwi switch provides a medium to medium-strong bump with a polished and refined feel. It delivers a snappy and immersive typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch offers a delicate tactility that strikes a perfect balance, making it an ideal choice for work and extended typing sessions. It has an easy-to-press and subtle feel, accompanied by a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. While the switches have their differences, both can provide satisfying and enjoyable typing experiences. However, it's important to consider personal preferences and additional factors such as keyboard and keycap choices to achieve the desired results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium to medium-strong tactile switch with a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, the TKC Kiwi switches would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. They are best suited for those who prefer a stepped and accented feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel due to their polished finish. In terms of sound, the Kiwi switches have a low-pitched and neutral profile, making them suitable for various settings and purposes.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile switch that strikes the perfect balance between tactility and comfort, the Durock White Lotus switches are an excellent option. These switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind, offering a delicate tactility for work and extended typing sessions. With their removable light column, they also provide vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, adding an extra touch of beauty to your keyboard setup. The White Lotus switches are easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and reducing finger fatigue. They have a mild and subtle feel, making them approachable to most typists.
Ultimately, the choice between the TKC Kiwi and Durock White Lotus switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a slightly heavier and more pronounced tactile experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Kiwi switches would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and more subtle tactile experience with a gentle sound signature, the White Lotus switches would be the ideal choice. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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