Durock Medium Tactile vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Kailh Sage. The Durock Medium Tactile switch is well-known for its unique flavor of tactility, providing a pronounced yet balanced feedback. Its jelly-like sound signature adds to the typing experience. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', this switch offers a smooth and pleasing tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch is best known for its distinct clicky typing experience. With a heavier weight and a refreshingly sharp clickiness, these switches can make your typing sessions more satisfying. Categorized as 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Crunchy', the Kailh Sage switch adds an extra level of feedback to your keystrokes. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your personal preference.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Kailh Sage, we can observe several similarities and differences. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of the polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for switches intended to use RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound and aesthetics, users can expect similar results from both the Medium Tactile and the Sage when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, distinguishing factors arise when we consider the nylon bottom housings of these switches. The Medium Tactile features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. On the contrary, the Sage also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile.
When a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Therefore, when pressing down on either the Medium Tactile or the Sage, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel will be influenced by the bottom housing material, which is nylon in both cases. Conversely, the sound when releasing a key will predominantly be affected by the characteristics of the top housing material, which is polycarbonate for both switches.
In summary, the similarities between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Kailh Sage lie in their polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both switches also utilize nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience. While the exact sound and feel may vary, users can expect similar outcomes from these switches due to the shared nature of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Starting with the actuation force, unfortunately, the specific measurement for both switches is unknown. However, it is safe to assume that they both fall within the medium range, as indicated by their names.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, still falling within the medium-heavy range.
When it comes to weight, some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force for extended periods of typing or gaming, making the Durock Medium Tactile or Kailh Sage suitable options. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, they may lean towards switches with heavier forces. Both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Kailh Sage can provide this heavier typing experience, with the latter being slightly heavier due to its 70-gram bottom out force.
In summary, while the specific actuation forces are unknown, the Durock Medium Tactile and Kailh Sage switches offer similar results in terms of actuation forces, falling within the medium range. However, the Kailh Sage does have a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is clear that the Medium Tactile has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sage has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Medium Tactile's 4.0mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, providing a balanced and familiar feel when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Sage's 3.6mm travel distance is slightly shallower, catering to those who prefer a quicker response time, particularly favored by gamers. It is worth noting that shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, opting for the shorter travel distance of the Sage would be suitable. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel, the Medium Tactile's longer travel distance may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both options offer unique experiences, and the decision should be based on individual preferences and requirements.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium 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 Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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 Medium Tactile switch is best described as having a jelly-like sound signature. Unfortunately, the sound profile of the Kailh Sage switch is unknown based on the provided information. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a balanced tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It can be described as having a medium level of tactility, providing a prominent amount of tactile feedback without being too intense. The switch also has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch is known for its invigorating feel. It offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. The switch has a sharp tactile bump that is distinct with each keypress, providing a highly tactile typing experience.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Durock Medium Tactile and Kailh Sage switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Medium Tactile offers a jelly-like sound signature and a polished, medium tactile feel. Meanwhile, the Sage switch delivers a crunchy sound and an invigorating, sharp tactile feel.
It is important to note that individual preferences play a significant role in determining which switch is the best choice. While the Durock Medium Tactile switch may appeal to those who prefer a balanced and polished typing experience, the Kailh Sage switch may be more suitable for those seeking a distinct and invigorating tactile feel. Ultimately, it is recommended to try out both switches and consider personal preferences before making a decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy switch with a balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile is your best option. Its accented, stepped, mild, and polished feel provides a gentle and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience with a heavy weight and a refreshingly sharp clickiness, the Kailh Sage is the way to go. Its invigorating and sharp feel offers pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive typing sensation. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for tactility, sound, and feel.
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