Cherry MX Red vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Red and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Cherry MX Red and the Durock Piano mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The MX Red is a classic Cherry switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is praised for its proprietary material blend, offering a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. While the MX Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Piano is described as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths and choosing between them depends on individual preferences. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Red and the Durock Piano switches both offer a deep and satisfying sound profile. The nylon top housing of the MX Red provides a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing offers a uniquely deep sound profile that is also satisfying to the user. While the exact details of the POM blend are not known, it is clear that both switches aim to provide a high-quality typing experience with their top housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches use nylon for the MX Red and a proprietary POM blend for the Piano. The nylon bottom housing of the MX Red contributes to the deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound for a rounder sound when typing. Similarly, the POM blend bottom housing of the Piano aims to offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. Both switches prioritize the qualities of the bottom housing to impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
Overall, while the Cherry MX Red and Durock Piano switches have different top and bottom housing materials, they both prioritize providing a deep and satisfying sound profile for users. The nylon and POM blend materials used in the top and bottom housings absorb sound to create a fuller and rounder sound when typing. Despite the specific details of the materials being different, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and overall typing experience with both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, we see that the MX Red is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams, while the Durock Piano's actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the Durock Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium to heavy feel when compared to the unknown bottom out force of the MX Red. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cherry MX Red would be the better choice due to its lower actuation force. Conversely, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, the Durock Piano with its heavier bottom out force would be the ideal option. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference, with the MX Red offering a lighter touch and the Durock Piano providing a heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Red and Durock Piano linear switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing them based on travel distance, users can expect a similar typing experience from both switches in terms of the distance the key travels from the top to the bottom. In terms of travel distance, there is no discernible difference between the two switches, ensuring that users will get consistent performance regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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 Cherry MX Red switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched profile, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch is described as bassy, offering a rich and deep sound profile that enhances the typing experience. Both switches provide a pleasant auditory experience, with the MX Red leaning towards a thocky and low-pitched sound, while the Piano switch offers a bassy and creamy sound signature. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry MX Red switch is often described as textured, providing a tactile feedback that some users appreciate. In contrast, the Durock Piano switch offers a frictionless and silky typing experience, with a smooth and effortless feel that minimizes any sense of resistance when pressing the keys. While the MX Red switch may have a noticeable friction when pressed, the Durock Piano switch ensures a fluid travel and silky typing experience that enhances overall smoothness. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback, catering to different preferences in terms of typing feel.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch differ in their sound and feel qualities, providing users with distinct typing experiences. While the MX Red switch is known for its slightly heftier feel and thocky sound profile, the Durock Piano switch stands out for its pleasant gliding push feel and bassy sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, with both options offering a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer a deeper sound with a textured feel or a creamy sound with a frictionless touch, you can expect similar results in terms of overall performance and reliability from these two popular linear switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, along with a robust typing experience, the Cherry MX Red may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch might be more suitable. Additionally, if you enjoy a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, the MX Red is ideal, whereas the Piano offers a bassy sound. Lastly, if you prefer a textured feel, the MX Red is the way to go, but if you prefer a frictionless and silky typing experience, the Piano is the superior option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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