Durock Koala vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Durock Koala, a tactile switch, and the KTT Purple Star, a linear switch. The Durock Koala is favored for its balanced tactile feedback, offering a satisfying bump without being too overwhelming. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star is known for its smooth keystrokes and lightweight feel, making it a preferred choice for those who prefer a gentler typing experience. While the Koala provides a more pronounced tactile response, the Purple Star offers a quieter and smoother 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Koala and the KTT Purple Star both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile thanks to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Purple Star uses a POM top housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound. While the Koala's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, the Purple Star's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile.
Despite their differences, both the Durock Koala and the KTT Purple Star prioritize providing a pleasant typing experience through their housing materials. The use of polycarbonate in the Koala's top housing produces a clear and resonant sound, while the POM top housing of the Purple Star offers a unique and pleasing sound profile on the deeper side. Similarly, both switches utilize materials in their bottom housing that absorb sound to create a duller and rounder sound, contributing to a more muted overall typing experience.
In terms of functionality, the differences in housing materials for the Durock Koala and the KTT Purple Star play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of each switch. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings affect how the switches sound and feel when pressed and released. While the Koala's housing materials emphasize a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Purple Star's materials create a deeper and more muted typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on your preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, we can see a significant difference in weight. The Koala has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Purple Star has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. The actuation force of the Koala is None grams, making it unknown, while the Purple Star has an actuation force of 43 grams, which is relatively light. This means that the Koala would provide a more substantial typing experience, requiring a stronger push feel, while the Purple Star would be lighter and easier to type on for longer periods. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Purple Star linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Purple Star has a shorter travel distance compared to the Koala. A 0.5 mm may not seem significant, but in terms of keypress feel, it can make a difference. The Koala with its longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying and tactile typing experience, while the Purple Star with its shorter travel distance might appeal more to those looking for quicker response times, especially gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
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 KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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 provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone without being overly loud, making it suitable for different environments. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star linear switch also offers a low-pitched sound profile, which can provide a more calming typing experience, especially when paired with the right keyboard and keycaps.
As for feel, the Durock Koala tactile switch offers a polished, accented, stepped, and stiff typing experience. This means that users can expect a smooth and refined typing feel with a noticeable bump that is not too overwhelming, allowing for precise keystrokes. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star linear switch provides a mild and easy-to-press typing experience, offering gentle resistance and light actuation force for effortless typing, reducing finger fatigue during extended use.
Overall, if you are looking for a switch that provides a balanced tactile experience with a pronounced bump and a neutral sound, the Durock Koala switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the KTT Purple Star switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on your personal typing style and preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a similar typing experience, both switches can offer a pleasant typing experience with their respective characteristics.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy switch with a pronounced bump and a bit of resonance, the Koala may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light switch with a smooth typing experience and easy actuation, the Purple Star could be more suitable. Additionally, if you value a low-pitched sound profile, both switches offer this characteristic. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal typing preferences and the feel you desire in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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