Cherry MX Brown vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, two options stand out: the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock White Lotus. At first glance, both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but they each have their unique features to consider. The Cherry MX Brown is known for its subtlety, providing a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind, offering a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. Furthermore, these switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision and find the switch that suits your preferences perfectly.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches differ in terms of their composition. The MX Brown features a nylon top and bottom housing, while the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing with a nylon bottom housing. The MX Brown's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic, which absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel to the switch.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the MX Brown and the White Lotus employ nylon, which results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, contributing to a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in housing material ensures that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile.
However, the impact of the housing materials differs when it comes to the top housing. The MX Brown's nylon top housing adds to the sound when a key is released, while the White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing likely enhances the premium feel of the switch. Although the exact impact on the sound profile might vary, both switches provide distinct qualities attributed to their respective top housings.
In summary, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches share similarities in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. However, they differ in terms of their top housing materials, with the MX Brown incorporating a nylon top housing for a specific sound upon key release, while the White Lotus incorporates a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing to enhance its premium feel. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique housing compositions.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is clear that they are very similar. Both switches have a medium-light weight, with the MX Brown having an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the White Lotus has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience and responsiveness when using either of these switches. The slight difference in force between the two switches is negligible and may not be noticeable to most users. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of weight and typing feel. Some users may prefer the slightly lighter actuation force of the MX Brown for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the slightly heavier force of the White Lotus for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches have a consistent and predictable distance that the key travels from the top to the bottom when pressed, providing a satisfying tactile feedback to the user. Therefore, whether you choose the Cherry MX Brown or the Durock White Lotus, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety. They offer a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The sound they produce can be described as bassy, with a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switches have a low-pitched sound profile, which is also bass-heavy and mellow. Additionally, they are described as having a neutral sound, making them suitable for various purposes and environments. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their textured nature. They have noticeable friction when pressed, which some users prefer for added feedback. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switches are easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses. They require minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. This light actuation force reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions, providing a low-impact and responsive typing experience. The White Lotus switches are also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. In addition, they have a subtle resistance and sound signature, making them suitable for shared spaces.
Considering all the available information, both the Cherry MX Brown and Durock White Lotus switches offer a light tactile typing experience. The MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety, providing gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The White Lotus switches, designed with the discerning typist in mind, offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. They are ideal for work and extended typing sessions, without overwhelming the user. While the sound of the MX Brown switches is described as bassy, the White Lotus switches have a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The MX Brown switches have a textured feel, while the White Lotus switches are easy-to-press, providing a low-impact and responsive typing experience. Overall, both switches offer similar qualities in terms of sound and feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when it comes to choosing between Cherry MX Brown and Durock White Lotus tactile switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you value a keyboard switch that offers a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, then the MX Brown switches may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making them ideal for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user, along with the option for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, then the White Lotus switches may be more suitable. In terms of sound, both switches offer a low-pitched tone, with the MX Brown switches also described as bassy, while the White Lotus switches are neutral. In terms of feel, the MX Browns are described as textured, while the White Lotus switches are easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. Consider your preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and feel when making your decision between these two switches.
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