Durock Koala vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Koala and the Outemu Spring Breeze. The Durock Koala is a tactile switch that offers a perfect balance for those seeking a keystroke with a noticeable bump but not too overwhelming. Known for its stepped tactility and a bit of resonance without being too loud, the Koala is categorized as polished, low-pitched, accented, neutral, stepped, and stiff. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze is a clicky switch that delivers a satisfying click with each keystroke. While it doesn't have a specific standout feature, it is categorized as versatile. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 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
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 Koala and the Outemu Spring Breeze both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. In contrast, the Spring Breeze utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the Koala's top housing focuses on creating a clear and resonant sound with RGB lighting in mind, the Spring Breeze's top housing aims to produce a rounder and duller sound for a different typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Durock Koala and the Outemu Spring Breeze use nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile that is characteristic of this classic switch housing material. The nylon bottom housing of each switch absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a more muted bottom-out sound and feel. This aspect of the housing material is crucial in determining the overall typing experience and sound quality of the switches, showcasing the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the tactile response of the switches.
While the Durock Koala and the Outemu Spring Breeze both incorporate nylon in their bottom housings, they differ significantly in their choice of top housing material. This contrast leads to distinct sound profiles for each switch, with the Koala offering a sharper and higher-pitched sound due to its polycarbonate top housing, while the Spring Breeze provides a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top housing. Despite these differences in housing materials, both switches prioritize sound quality and tactile response, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users looking for different sound profiles.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch has a bottom-out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch in terms of typing feel, while the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has a bottom-out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. The actuation force of the Koala is not mentioned, while the Spring Breeze has an actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Spring Breeze requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Koala. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Spring Breeze may be more suitable, as it requires less force to press the keys. On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Koala may be the better choice. Ultimately, the weight of the switch is an important consideration as it can affect how comfortable typing is for extended periods of time.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a similar amount of travel before the key actuates. The 4 mm travel distance on both switches ensures a consistent typing experience for users who prefer either a tactile or clicky switch. Overall, the travel distance of the Durock Koala and Outemu Spring Breeze switches is the same, providing a familiar feel for users regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Koala tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for a variety of uses. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch's sound characteristics are unknown. When it comes to feel, the Koala is polished, accented, stepped, and stiff, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a moderate amount of tactility. The Spring Breeze's feel qualities are also unknown. Overall, if you prefer a tactile switch with a pronounced bump that is not too overwhelming and features a low-pitched and mellow sound, the Durock Koala would be an excellent choice. However, if you are looking for a clicky switch with specific sound and feel characteristics, further information on the Outemu Spring Breeze would be necessary to make a direct comparison. Ultimately, both switches have unique qualities that cater to different preferences, and selecting between the two would depend on individual preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch that provides a balanced level of tactility with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Durock Koala switches are a great choice. They offer a polished, accented, stepped feel with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with a lighter bottom out force, the Outemu Spring Breeze switches would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for tactility, sound, and typing experience when choosing between these two switches.
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