Cherry MX Brown vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock Sea Glass. The MX Brown is known for its subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and restrained audio feedback. On the other hand, the Sea Glass series by Durock catches attention with its captivating pastel colors and a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness during typing. While the Cherry MX Brown falls into the category of textured, bassy, and low-pitched switches, the Sea Glass switches are categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Brown and Durock Sea Glass switches both utilize nylon housing materials, although the Sea Glass incorporates a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE. In terms of sound profile, the MX Brown's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic, which absorbs more sound and produces a duller, rounder tone. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's top housing blend offers a slightly brighter sound that is still pleasant, striking a balance between sharpness and smoothness.
Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Brown and the polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing of the Sea Glass contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the MX Brown enhances the deep and full sound profile, while the Sea Glass's bottom housing blend adds its unique qualities to the bottom-out sound, potentially altering its impact. This means that pressing down on the switches will elicit different sensations and sounds, with the MX Brown delivering a more pronounced bottom-out feel.
One significant difference between the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock Sea Glass is the presence of UHMWPE in the Sea Glass's blend. This addition may provide added durability and smoothness to the housing material, potentially improving the switch's overall performance. While both switches share a nylon base, the inclusion of UHMWPE in the Sea Glass switch may result in a more refined and polished experience, offering a unique blend of qualities that sets it apart from the MX Brown switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, ensuring a consistent level of sensitivity when triggering a keystroke. This means that typing on either switch will have a similar feel in terms of how easy it is to activate a key. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the MX Brown has a slightly lighter touch with 55 grams, while the Sea Glass provides a bit more resistance with a bottom out force of 62 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown may be more suitable, as it requires less force to fully depress the keys, reducing fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the Sea Glass switch offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy the tactile feedback and prefer a stronger push feel.
Considerations of weight are essential as they can greatly impact user preference. Some individuals prefer lighter switches, as they allow for more extended periods of comfortable typing, making them ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. In this case, the MX Brown would be considered lighter due to its 55-gram bottom out force, while the Sea Glass would be considered heavier with its 62-gram bottom out force.
In conclusion, while the actuation force remains the same for both switches at 45 grams, the Cherry MX Brown offers a slightly lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Durock Sea Glass has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. These differences in force provide users with options based on their desired typing experience, with the MX Brown offering a lighter touch and the Sea Glass providing a more substantial keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that there is a slight difference between the two. The MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the MX Brown being slightly longer. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Sea Glass switch a suitable choice for those seeking a more responsive typing experience. Conversely, those who enjoy a deeper, more deliberate keystroke may find the MX Brown switch more to their liking due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on an individual's personal preferences regarding the travel distance they find most comfortable and suitable for their typing needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is known for its subtlety in both sound and feel. When it comes to sound, the MX Brown offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile during key presses. This means that the sound produced by these switches has a deeper and richer tone, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. In terms of feel, the MX Brown is described as having a textured experience, which means there is noticeable friction when pressing the keys. Some users prefer this subtle texture, but others may prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has some unique qualities that set it apart. In terms of sound, it is not explicitly described, but it is mentioned that the typing experience with Sea Glass switches reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. This suggests that the sound produced by these switches may have a hollow, echo-like quality to it. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Sea Glass switches have a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. They are described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This means there is minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a fluid travel. The Sea Glass switches are also mild in their tactile characteristics, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, they are feathery and easy to press, requiring little exertion from your fingers. This reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown and Durock Sea Glass switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The MX Brown has a more subtle and textured sound profile, as well as a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches have a distinct hollow sound signature and provide a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press typing experience. While they may differ in certain aspects, both switches offer their own unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a lighter bottom-out force and subtle tactility, then the Cherry MX Brown would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a gentle typing experience with a subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly higher bottom-out force but with a weightless and frictionless feel, then the Durock Sea Glass switch is worth considering. Despite their 62g force, these switches possess a unique weightlessness that defies expectations and provide a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches have a distinct dryness and wispiness to their typing experience. In terms of sound, the MX Brown offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, while we do not have specific descriptions for the Sea Glass switches. Overall, the MX Brown switch would be a great choice for those who prefer a more textured typing experience, while the Sea Glass switch would be suitable for those seeking a frictionless and feathery feel.
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