Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano are two mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Moyu Black is a tactile switch, renowned for its sharp tactile feel and unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, resulting in a rare and premium typing experience. With a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, these switches create a hypertactile sensation, delivering a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is a linear switch known for its proprietary material blend, which offers a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. It provides a pleasant typing experience with its bassy feel, frictionless movement, and silky smoothness. Both switches bring their own merits to the table, offering different sensations and sound profiles. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano differ in their housing materials, with the Moyu Black featuring a PBT top housing and a PBT bottom housing, while the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housing. The PBT top housing of the Moyu Black offers a neutral sound profile, neither crisp nor dull, while the exact details of the POM blend top housing of the Piano are not disclosed, it is known to provide a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. When pressing down on the Moyu Black, the qualities of its PBT bottom housing will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, whereas the Piano's POM blend bottom housing will have a similar effect. Conversely, the top housing of each switch will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.
In terms of their top housing materials, the Moyu Black and the Piano offer different sound profiles. The PBT top housing of the Moyu Black provides a more neutral sound, lacking in crispness but not entirely dull. On the other hand, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing produces a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. These distinctions mean that users will experience variations in the sound when letting go of a key between the two switches. However, both switches aim to deliver an enjoyable auditory experience, although through different means. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of satisfying sound output, tailored to their preferred sound profile.
The bottom housing materials of the Moyu Black and the Piano also differ, with the Moyu Black featuring a PBT bottom housing and the Piano utilizing its proprietary POM blend for the bottom housing as well. The impact of these bottom housings is most noticeable when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. However, since both switches use materials that are known for their relatively neutral sound profile, the differences in their bottom housing materials may not result in significant disparities in their overall sound characteristics. Users can expect a similar performance in terms of the switch's response and feel when actuating the keys, with the differences in bottom housing materials playing a relatively minor role compared to other factors.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Moyu Black has an actuation force of 50 grams, providing a moderate resistance to trigger a keystroke, while the actuation force of the Piano switch is unknown. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Moyu Black requires 67 grams of force to fully press down, whereas the Piano switch requires 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of bottom out force.
Considering weight, some prefer lighter switches to type for extended periods, making them ideal for work or long gaming sessions. Others, however, prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience and opt for switches with heavier forces. In terms of weight, the Moyu Black is slightly heavier in terms of actuation force, but the bottom out force of the Piano switch is slightly lighter.
Overall, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. While the actuation force of the Piano switch is unknown, the slight differences in bottom out force may be negligible for most users. Therefore, whether you prefer a slightly lighter or heavier switch, both options are capable of delivering a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have equal travel distances of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience when pressing down on a key, as the distance traveled from the top to the bottom is the same. Whether one prefers a tactile switch like the Moyu Black or a linear switch like the Durock Piano will depend on personal preference and typing style, as both switches offer the same travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano switches offer contrasting profiles. The Moyu Black has a resonant sound, which means it produces a higher-pitched and clean sound during key presses. The sharp, short, and punchy sound created by the strong downstroke tactile bump adds to the satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano switches have a bassy sound profile, characterized by deeper and richer tones resembling bass frequencies. The creamy sound signature of the Piano switches contributes to a pleasant auditory experience. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycap choice.
In terms of feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano switches have distinct characteristics. The Moyu Black is described as having an accented feel, meaning it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The switch offers a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. Additionally, the Moyu Black has a medium-heavy feel and an abrupt and accentuated bottom-out, contributing to a distinctive and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switches have a frictionless and silky feel. They offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The fluid travel of the Piano switches enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Piano switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Moyu Black provides a resonant sound with sharp, short, and punchy tones, while the Piano switches have a bassy sound profile with deep and creamy tones. In terms of feel, the Moyu Black is known for its accented and sharp tactile feedback, offering a distinct typing experience with its medium-heavy feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switches provide a frictionless and silky feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preferences, as both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is important to take into account your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a distinctive and impactful typing experience with a strong and crisp tactile bump, the Moyu Black switches would be a great choice for you. With an accentuated bottom-out and sharp, snappy sound, these switches provide a rare and premium typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano switches are an excellent option. With their proprietary material blend, they offer a gliding push feel and a rich bassy sound profile. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you prioritize the strong tactility and distinct sound of the Moyu Blacks or the frictionless and silky smoothness of the Pianos. Consider your preferences and choose the switches that align with your desired typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
