Durock Light Tactile vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer unique advantages are the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink. The Light Tactile switch from Durock stands out with its gentle tactility and jelly-like sound signature, providing a delightful typing experience. It is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches from Everglide offer a feather-light 35g actuation force, ideal for typists who prefer a delicate touch. Known for their smooth and effortless typing experience, these switches produce a poppy sound akin to bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch. They are categorized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Frictionless', and 'Muted'. However, let's explore these switches in more detail to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Light Tactile and Everglide Sakura Pink both use polycarbonate for their top housings. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more distinct typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a touch of aesthetic appeal. In terms of sound, both switches will provide similar results due to the use of polycarbonate in their top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, there is a difference between the two switches. The Light Tactile utilizes nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This difference in bottom housing materials allows for a slight variation in the overall sound experience between the two switches.
Despite the differences in housing materials for the Light Tactile and Sakura Pink, it is important to note that the impact of each material is divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, whether nylon or polycarbonate, will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing, regardless of the material, will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while there are distinctions between the two switches, the overall typing experience may still be relatively similar due to the combination of top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it is clear that they have significant differences. The Light Tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Sakura Pink's lighter 35 grams, making the Light Tactile switch more resistant to accidental keystrokes. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Light Tactile switch is also higher at 67 grams, providing a more substantial and satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Sakura Pink has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, making it lighter and potentially more suitable for longer typing sessions. Overall, the Light Tactile switch offers a heavier and more substantial typing experience, while the Sakura Pink provides a lighter and potentially more comfortable typing experience for extended periods. Though differing, both switches offer distinct advantages depending on individual preferences and needs.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled. The travel distance is the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom, and both switches offer a consistent 4 mm travel distance. Therefore, whether you choose the Durock Light Tactile or the Everglide Sakura Pink, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and sensation experienced when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile for $4.25.
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 Light Tactile switch is best described as neutral, meaning it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. While it does not have a specific sound descriptor, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is known for producing a muted sound. This means it has a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild typing experience. It is described as having a gentle tactility, providing an approachable feel to most users. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a buttery typing experience. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The switch is also described as creamy, offering a silky sensation similar to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. Moreover, the Sakura Pink switch is also noted to be easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It is designed to enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel. Additionally, the switch is described as frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience without any resistance or friction when pressing the keys.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that the Durock Light Tactile and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Light Tactile switch provides a more neutral sound and a mild and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch has a muted sound profile and offers a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing sensation. While both switches have their unique qualities, individuals seeking a softer and quieter typing experience may prefer the Sakura Pink switch, while those looking for a gentler tactility and refined typing experience may opt for the Light Tactile switch. It is important to keep in mind that the overall typing experience can be influenced by other factors such as keyboard configuration and personal preferences, and thus individual results may vary.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a gentle tactility and a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Durock Light Tactile switch is a great option. It provides an angelic tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, creating a unique typing experience. The Light Tactile switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. It offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. In terms of sound, it is neutral, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced typists in various settings.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is a fantastic choice. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, it is perfect for delicate typists. The Sakura Pink switch provides a gliding feel and frictionless operation, allowing for a seamless and buttery keystroke experience. It produces a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your typing sessions. Additionally, the Sakura Pink switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches.
Ultimately, choosing between the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a switch with medium-heavy tactility and a polished feel, the Light Tactile switch is a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Sakura Pink switch is the way to go. Consider your typing style, desired sound, and overall typing experience when making your decision.
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