Everglide Oreo vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing and contrasting mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Everglide Oreo and the Durock Piano. The Oreo is a tactile switch that offers a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. It strikes a perfect balance between satisfying keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience, accompanied by a subtle and mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is a linear switch known for its proprietary material blend, making it one of the most pleasant switches to type on. It provides a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. While the Oreo offers a tactile experience, the Piano is all about the smoothness of its linear feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Oreo and the Durock Piano have contrasting materials in their top housings. The Oreo features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In comparison, the Piano has a proprietary POM blend top housing, which offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While we do not have specifics on the blend, it is clear that the Piano aims for a different acoustic experience than the Oreo.
Moving on to the bottom housings, we see a similar contrast in materials between the Oreo and the Piano. The Oreo utilizes polycarbonate, known for its stiff and resonant properties, in its bottom housing. This contributes to a sharper, crisper sound when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend in its bottom housing, offering a distinctive and deep sound profile. Although we lack specific details on the blend used, it is clear that the Piano aims to provide a distinct acoustic response when bottoming out.
It is worth noting that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in the overall typing experience. While the bottom housing primarily affects the sound and feel of bottoming out, the top housing has a greater impact when releasing a key. Therefore, the contrasting materials in the top and bottom housings of the Oreo and Piano allow users to tailor their typing experience to their preferences. Whether one prefers the sharper, higher-pitched sound of the polycarbonate in the Oreo or the uniquely satisfying and deep sound of the POM blend in the Piano, both switches provide options for nuanced acoustic feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is considered medium-light, while the actuation force of the Piano is unknown. This means that for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Oreo switch would be the better option. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Oreo is 55 grams, while the Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy. This indicates that for those who prefer a more substantial push feel and a satisfying typing experience, the Piano switch would provide a higher level of resistance. Overall, the Everglide Oreo switch is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Durock Piano switch is heavier in terms of bottom out force. However, it is important to note that if an individual desires a similar result, they can achieve it by selecting a switch with comparable actuation and bottom out forces from either brand.
Travel distance
The Everglide Oreo 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 they both have the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. This ensures that users will receive consistent feedback and tactile response when using either switch. Consequently, whether you opt for the Everglide Oreo tactile switch or the Durock Piano linear switch, you can expect a comparable travel distance and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch is best known for its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. This switch provides a medium light tactility, striking a perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience. The sound profile of the Oreo is subtle and mellow. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is highly regarded for its proprietary material blend, which results in a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel. The sound signature of the Piano is described as deep and creamy. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Comparing the two switches, the Oreo provides a tactile experience, while the Piano offers a linear feel. The Oreo has a medium light tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, making it suitable for those who prefer a noticeable tactile feedback without it being too intense. On the other hand, the Piano offers a frictionless and silky typing experience, minimizing resistance and providing a smooth keystroke. In terms of sound, the Oreo has a subtle and mellow sound profile, while the Piano offers a deeper and richer sound with a bassy tone. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
In conclusion, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of both sound and feel. The Oreo provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump, medium light tactility, and a subtle sound profile. On the other hand, the Piano offers a gliding push feel, frictionless and silky typing experience, and a deep and creamy sound signature. It is important to consider personal preferences and requirements when choosing between these switches, as they offer different subjective qualities. However, if you are looking for a similar experience, you can achieve a similar result by selecting switches with similar characteristics such as tactility levels or smoothness.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are a few key factors to consider. If you prioritize a medium-light bottom out force and a satisfying tactile bump, the Oreo switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches provide a crisp and responsive tactile feedback at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, offering a balanced keystroke and comfortable typing experience. Additionally, if you prefer a subtle and mellow sound profile while typing, the Oreo switch delivers in this aspect as well.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth linear typing experience, the Durock Piano switch would be a great choice. These switches are recognized for their proprietary material blend, which results in a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. If you value a frictionless and silky smooth typing experience, the Piano switch excels in providing effortless key presses and minimal resistance.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider these factors and prioritize what matters most to you in order to select the switch that will enhance your typing experience.
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