Zuoce Lavender vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Zuoce Lavender and the Jwick Splash Brothers are two distinct linear mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique features and characteristics. The Lavender switch is praised for its exceptional smoothness and crisp, clacky sound signature, making each keystroke a satisfying experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switches are known for their shorter activation and long pole stem, providing a great typing feel and a creamy sound signature. While the Lavender is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Clacky', the Splash Brothers switches fall into categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. Each switch offers different qualities that appeal to different preferences and typing styles. 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
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and Jwick Splash Brothers both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Lavender features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Splash Brothers's polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also makes it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Lavender's POM bottom housing offers a similar sound profile to its top housing, while the Splash Brothers's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition.
While the Lavender and Splash Brothers offer different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, each material brings its own unique qualities to the switches. The POM top housing of the Lavender creates a pleasing and unique sound profile that is on the deeper side, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers produces a crisper and sharper sound. On the bottom side, the Lavender's POM housing continues to contribute to a deeper sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers creates a duller and rounder sound. These distinct characteristics of each housing material impact both the sound and feel of typing on the switches.
Overall, the choice between the Zuoce Lavender and Jwick Splash Brothers will depend on the sound profile that the user prefers. The POM housing of the Lavender offers a more muted and deep sound, while the polycarbonate housing of the Splash Brothers produces a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers provides a fuller sound compared to the POM bottom housing of the Lavender. Both switches offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, allowing users to customize their typing experience based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two. The Lavender switch has a medium-light actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a balance between ease of typing and a tactile feel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch has an unknown actuation force and a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams, making it easier to type with less force required. This makes the Lavender switch slightly heavier than the Splash Brothers switch, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, for those who prefer a lighter touch and a smoother typing experience, the Splash Brothers switch may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it can be seen that the Lavender has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Lavender being slightly shorter than the Splash Brothers. Gamers may prefer the Lavender for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may lean towards the Splash Brothers with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
When comparing the sound of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, the Lavender offers a clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and percussive sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers gives off a creamy sound signature, which adds a softer and more subdued element to the typing experience. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences, with the Lavender being more crisp and bright, while the Splash Brothers lean towards a more neutral and moderate sound profile.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Zuoce Lavender is known for its easy-to-press design, offering minimal resistance during key presses and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch presents a mild typing experience, with qualities such as snappiness, bounciness, subtlety, and a polished finish contributing to a more refined and responsive feel. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Lavender providing a light and effortless feel, while the Splash Brothers offer a middle-ground approach suitable for most users.
In conclusion, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Lavender provides a clacky sound signature and an easy-to-press typing experience, the Splash Brothers deliver a creamy sound profile and a more versatile feeling with characteristics like snappiness and bounciness. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired, but both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience for users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing style. If you prioritize smoothness and a crisp, clacky sound in your typing experience, the Lavender switch with its medium-light bottom out force may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a more neutral sound profile with a mild and snappy typing feel, the Splash Brothers switch might be the more suitable option. Be sure to consider the sound and feel descriptions provided for each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
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