Durock Medium Tactile vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink. The Medium Tactile from Durock is best known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, providing a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, it offers a unique "jelly-like" sound signature. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches from Everglide are perfect for those who prefer a lighter touch, with a feather-light 35g actuation force. They provide a smooth and effortless typing experience with a gliding type feel. Furthermore, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightful poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
65g
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 Medium Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink both share a polycarbonate top housing material. This choice of material creates a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more precise typing experience. The translucency of the polycarbonate top housing also allows for the use of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the keyboard setup. In terms of aesthetics and sound, these two switches will produce similar results, providing a clear and resonant sound profile.
However, the bottom housings of these switches differ. The Medium Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on switches with a nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the plastic, which absorbs more sound. This leads to a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to the overall sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness of the sound profile. The bottom-out sound and feel of the switches will vary depending on the housing material, with the nylon providing a more cushioned and muted experience compared to the harder and clearer sound of the polycarbonate.
In summary, although the top housings of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink are the same, their bottom housings differ. This results in variation in the sound and feel when pressing down and releasing keys. The polycarbonate top housing creates a consistent sharp and clear sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Medium Tactile adds a deeper and fuller element. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink enhances the overall sharpness and resonance. Both switches have their unique qualities and cater to different preferences, allowing users to choose between a softer, more muted typing experience or a sharper, more pronounced sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Durock Medium Tactile switch is currently unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare with the Sakura Pink. However, it is important to note that the actuation force determines the amount of force required to trigger a keystroke, and lighter actuation forces are often preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Sakura Pink boasts a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Moving on to the bottom out force, which measures the force required to fully press a key, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel. This can provide a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink offers a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience.
Considering the weight of the switches, it becomes evident that the Durock Medium Tactile switch is heavier due to its higher bottom out force. This may be favorable for individuals seeking a more weighted keypress, whether for work or gaming purposes. Conversely, the Sakura Pink's lighter bottom out force caters to those who prefer a lighter switch for prolonged typing sessions.
In summary, while the actuation force of the Durock Medium Tactile switch remains unknown, its higher bottom out force indicates a heavier switch compared to the Everglide Sakura Pink. The Sakura Pink, with its lighter actuation and bottom out forces, offers a more lightweight typing experience, perfect for extended periods of typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference for either a heavier or lighter touch in keyboard usage.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4mm. Pressing down on a key with either switch will result in a similar feeling of travel distance. Thus, there is no difference in terms of travel distance between the two switches.
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 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
The Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility. It provides a satisfying tactile feedback without being overwhelming or subtle, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a medium tactile switch. In terms of sound, the Medium Tactile has a jelly-like sound signature, although the specific details are not mentioned in the provided information.
On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is incredibly light, with a feather-light 35g actuation force. This makes it perfect for delicate typists who prefer a lighter touch. The Sakura Pink switch offers a gliding type feel and frictionless operation, resulting in a smooth and effortless typing experience. It produces a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, which adds a playful touch to typing sessions.
Comparing the two switches, they have distinct qualities in both sound and feel. The Medium Tactile switch offers pronounced tactility with a jelly-like sound, while the Sakura Pink switch provides a light and easy-to-press feel with a poppy sound. The Medium Tactile switch may be more suitable for those who prefer a balanced tactile feedback, while the Sakura Pink switch is ideal for typists who desire a smooth and effortless typing experience.
However, it is important to note that the specific sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps. With that said, if the desired outcome is to have a similar result, both the Medium Tactile switch and the Sakura Pink switch offer subjective qualities that can provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is an excellent choice for you. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, it provides a satisfying typing experience without being overwhelming. Additionally, the Medium Tactile switch is accented, giving it a stepped feel that is both tactile and mild. Its polished finish ensures smooth key travel and reduced friction.
On the other hand, if you prefer a feather-light actuation force of 45 grams and a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is the way to go. These linear switches offer a frictionless operation, making each key press easy and buttery. With a muted sound profile, they provide a quieter typing experience, perfect for those who value a more discreet keyboard.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Sakura Pink comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize tactility and a balanced sound signature, go for the Durock Medium Tactile. If you prefer a light actuation force and a smooth, effortless feel, opt for the Everglide Sakura Pink. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so consider your typing style and preferences when making your decision. In the end, both switches are excellent options in their respective categories, guaranteeing a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
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