Outemu Cold Plum vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two stand out among enthusiasts - the Outemu Cold Plum, a linear switch, and the Durock Sea Glass, also a linear switch. The Cold Plum is renowned for its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, offering a smooth keystroke and satisfying sound for a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock features five pastel colors and a proprietary material blend that gives off a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in its typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches have a weightlessness that defies expectations, along with a uniquely hollow sound signature. While the Cold Plum provides enthusiasts with a distinct and enjoyable typing feel, the Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Cold Plum and the Durock Sea Glass both utilize nylon in their construction. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. The Cold Plum's nylon housing is described as creating a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Sea Glass's unique Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a more pleasant and brighter sound profile, offering a different typing experience compared to the Cold Plum.
While both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, the Sea Glass sets itself apart with its blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE. This unique blend in the Sea Glass's bottom housing contributes to a sound profile that is described as pleasant and brighter, a departure from the fuller sound produced by the Cold Plum's nylon bottom housing. The qualities of the bottom housing of a switch can impact the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, providing a tactile experience that differs between the Cold Plum and the Sea Glass.
Although the housing materials for the top and bottom of a switch can vary, the impact they have on the overall sound profile remains significant. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing will play a more prominent role in the sound produced when releasing a key. While the Cold Plum and Sea Glass may have similar nylon compositions in their housing materials, the unique blends and combination with UHMWPE in the Sea Glass differentiate the typing experience and sound profile between the two switches.
Weight
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cold Plum requires 70 grams, making it heavier than the Sea Glass which only needs 62 grams. This means that the Cold Plum provides a more substantial typing experience with a slightly higher actuation and bottom out force, while the Sea Glass offers a lighter touch for those who prefer less resistance. Both switches fall within the medium range of actuation and bottom out forces, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing comfort. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, the Sea Glass may be the better option, while those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may prefer the Cold Plum.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, we find that the Cold Plum has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Cold Plum's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, while the Sea Glass's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying depth to keystrokes. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular in the keyboard market. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Cold Plum switch is best known for its thocky sound profile, offering a satisfying and distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch series presents a uniquely hollow sound signature, which adds an ethereal quality to the typing experience. Both switches provide a pleasant auditory feedback that can enhance the overall typing experience, but the Cold Plum tends to have a deeper and more pronounced sound, while the Sea Glass offers a lighter and airier tone.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Cold Plum switch is known for its smooth keystrokes and enjoyable typing feel. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switches are described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. This combination of qualities results in a typing experience that is smooth, effortless, and comfortable, suitable for extended typing sessions. While the Cold Plum switch offers a more traditional typing feel, the Sea Glass switch provides a unique sensation that prioritizes ease of use and comfort.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Durock Sea Glass switches offer distinctive qualities that can cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Cold Plum switch excels in providing a satisfying and deep sound profile, paired with a smooth and enjoyable typing feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series stands out with its pastel color options, lighter weightlessness, and frictionless typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound depth and typing feel, either switch can provide a pleasant and unique typing experience that will surely enhance your overall satisfaction with your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, whether you choose the Cold Plum or Sea Glass switch, you can expect to get similar results in terms of quality, comfort, and overall typing performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a bottom out force of 70 grams, the Cold Plum may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a bottom out force of 62 grams, the Sea Glass may be more suitable. The Cold Plum offers a thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction for a unique typing experience, while the Sea Glass provides a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness with its proprietary material blend. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for bottom out force and typing experience.
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