Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock White Lotus stand out as popular choices with their unique characteristics. The Lightning Silver V3 boasts a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, offering a seamless typing experience with its silky feel and enhanced RGB illumination. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches are known for their light tactile feedback, striking a balance between tactility and usability, making them ideal for work and extended typing sessions. While the Lightning Silver V3 is more geared towards those who prefer a louder and more pronounced typing experience, the White Lotus appeals to typists looking for a gentle, yet discernible tactile feel. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock White Lotus both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The Lightning Silver V3 utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance in the sound produced by the switch. In comparison, the White Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which provides a distinct and premium feel to the switch.
While the top housing materials differ between the Lightning Silver V3 and White Lotus, the bottom housing materials further contrast their sound profiles. The Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing complements the top housing by contributing to its clear and resonant sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer and sound-absorbing properties. This difference in bottom housing materials adds another layer of distinction between the two switches in terms of sound and feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock White Lotus will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel. If a sharper, crisper sound profile is desired, the Lightning Silver V3 with its polycarbonate housing may be the preferred option. Conversely, for those who prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Durock White Lotus with its nylon bottom housing could be the better choice. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, both switches offer unique qualities that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Durock White Lotus tactile switch's 46 grams, making the Lightning Silver V3 slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 requires 60 grams, whereas the White Lotus only requires 56 grams, making the White Lotus lighter in this aspect. Both switches fall into the medium range for actuation force, but the White Lotus is considered medium-light for bottom out force. The difference in weight between the two switches may result in a slightly different typing experience for users. Some may prefer the Lightning Silver V3 for its slightly heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing feel, while others may opt for the lighter bottom out force of the White Lotus for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the White Lotus may offer a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer depth in their switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for. Both switches offer a different feel, so choosing the right one will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and bright sound when pressed. This creates a crisp and percussive typing experience that may be appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is more subtle and suitable for shared spaces. While the Lightning Silver V3 will give a more distinct and lively sound, the White Lotus provides a more subdued and calming sound experience.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance during key presses. This results in a seamless and effortless typing feel that enhances the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press, providing gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing comfortable and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. While the Lightning Silver V3 offers a smoother and more frictionless typing experience, the White Lotus provides a more responsive and low-impact typing feel that is gentle on the fingers.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 would be the ideal choice. However, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound with an easy-to-press and gentle typing feel, the White Lotus would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference for sound profile and typing feel, ensuring that you will get different but equally satisfying results based on your individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider the key characteristics that each switch offers. If you prioritize a clacky and high-pitched sound profile with a silky smooth typing feel, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that is easy-to-press and gentle on your fingers, the White Lotus may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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