Gateron Luciola vs. Durock White Lotus

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Gateron Luciola and the Durock White Lotus. The Luciola switches are truly unique, as they glow in the dark, making them eye-catching and stylish. These switches provide a medium heft, offering a smooth and bouncy typing experience. They also produce a distinct sound profile, likened to a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken." In contrast, the White Lotus switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind. They offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making them ideal for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, enhancing your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

Durock White Lotus Tactile

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Luciola and the Durock White Lotus differ in terms of their housing materials. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend for its top and bottom housing. This blend is known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, which is often described as clacky. On the other hand, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing. This gives the switch a unique and premium feel. Additionally, the Luciola's bottom housing is also made of the proprietary INK blend, contributing to its distinct sound profile. In contrast, the White Lotus uses a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. Therefore, the Luciola offers a sharper and clacky sound, while the White Lotus provides a rounder and fuller sound experience.

Although the housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and Durock White Lotus differ, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience. The Luciola's INK blend top housing creates a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, while the modified PC and UPE blend top housing of the White Lotus adds a unique and premium feel to the switch. While the Luciola's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to its distinct clacky sound, the nylon bottom housing of the White Lotus produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches prioritize delivering an enhanced auditory experience, albeit with different characteristics.

When it comes to the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switch, there are notable distinctions between the Luciola and the White Lotus. Pressing down on the switch will primarily reveal the qualities of the bottom housing, as it has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel. In this regard, the Luciola's proprietary INK blend bottom housing will showcase its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. Conversely, the top housing will play a more prominent role in the sound when you release a key. Therefore, the top housing material of the Luciola, with its INK blend, will deliver a sound that is pointed, high-pitched, yet not overly sharp. Similarly, the modified PC and UPE blend top housing of the White Lotus will contribute to its unique sound profile when keys are released. Overall, while there are differences in the impact of the housing materials, the switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and feel during typing.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Luciola has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the White Lotus's 46 grams, making the Luciola slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Luciola requires 60 grams of force while the White Lotus requires 56 grams, making the White Lotus slightly heavier in this regard.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the White Lotus would be a suitable choice as it has both a lower actuation and bottom out force. This lighter weight allows for comfortable typing for longer periods, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may opt for the Luciola due to its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces.

Overall, while the two switches have similar force ranges, the Gateron Luciola is slightly heavier in terms of actuation force, and the Durock White Lotus is slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for typing experience and the desired weight of the keyboard for different use cases.

Travel distance

The travel distances of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch are slightly different. The Luciola has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the White Lotus has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4 mm is considered the norm, while 3.6 mm falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. Gamers often opt for shorter travel distances to achieve faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the Luciola switch would be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper typing feel, the White Lotus switch with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is best described as having a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This means that when you press the keys, you can expect a crisp, bright, and percussive sound with a unique acoustic signature that sets these switches apart. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as having a low-pitched sound profile. This implies a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The sound produced by these switches is moderate in nature, making them suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a smooth and bouncy typing experience. It can be described as snappy, giving you a super responsive feeling due to longer or dual-stage springs. This makes the typing experience feel more alive and enjoyable. Additionally, the Luciola switch can also be described as buttery, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. This smooth and fluid keystroke experience is a result of the switch's polished finish, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-impact and effortless typing feel. These switches have an easy-to-press characteristic, meaning they require minimal force to activate. This gentle resistance during key presses enhances the typing experience by making it comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The White Lotus switch can also be considered mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most typists. Additionally, the tactile feel of the White Lotus switch is subtle and not feather-like, striking a balance between a light typing feel and a sound signature that is suitable for shared spaces.

In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola switch has a clacky, chirpy, and marbly sound profile, with a snappy and buttery typing feel. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, with an easy-to-press and mild tactile feel. While these switches have their unique characteristics, it is important to consider other factors such as keyboard boards and keycaps to further shape the sound and feel of the switches. Overall, both switches provide enjoyable and satisfying typing experiences, tailored to different preferences and typing needs.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are a few factors to consider. If you are looking for a switch with a medium heft that provides a smooth and bouncy typing experience, along with an eye-catching glow in the dark feature, the Luciola switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile switch that offers a delicate tactility without overwhelming the user, the White Lotus switch is a great option. Additionally, if you value a clacky, chirpy, or marbly sound profile, the Luciola switch delivers on those fronts. On the contrary, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the White Lotus switch is more suitable. In terms of feel, the Luciola switch offers a snappy, buttery, and polished typing experience, while the White Lotus switch provides an easy-to-press, mild, and subtle typing feel. Considering these factors, you can choose the switch that aligns with your preferences and requirements. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are seeking.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Durock White Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more