Outemu Dustproof Red vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Durock Piano stand out as popular linear options. The Dustproof Red is best known for its reliability and durability, thanks to its dustproof design. On the other hand, the Durock Piano offers a unique typing experience with its proprietary material blend, providing a smooth and silky feel with a deep, bassy sound signature. Both switches offer a linear typing experience, but the Dustproof Red focuses on robustness, while the Piano emphasizes comfort and a pleasant typing feel. 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
60g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Dustproof Red's housing materials consist of a polycarbonate top and a nylon bottom, each contributing to the switch's overall sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a clear and resonant profile. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder profile. On the other hand, the Durock Piano features proprietary POM blend materials for both the top and bottom housings. While the exact details of this POM blend are unknown, it offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile reminiscent of the nylon bottom housing of the Dustproof Red.
In terms of aesthetics, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Dustproof Red allows for a translucent appearance, making it ideal for switches designed to showcase RGB lighting. In comparison, the POM blend materials used in the Piano's housings provide a more opaque finish, giving off a more traditional and solid look. Despite their different appearances, both switches offer unique sound profiles attributed to their respective housing materials. The stiffer polycarbonate of the Dustproof Red creates a crisp and clear sound, while the softer POM blend of the Piano offers a satisfying and deep sound experience.
While the Dustproof Red and the Durock Piano utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience through sound profile manipulation. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for distinct characteristics to shine through during key presses and releases. Whether it be the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel or the influence of the top housing on the sound when releasing a key, both switches offer a unique typing experience tailored to the qualities of their respective housing materials. In the end, users can expect similar results in terms of sound profiles, with the Dustproof Red's polycarbonate and nylon combination providing a different experience compared to the Piano's POM blend materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is evident that the Dustproof Red requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Piano, which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Piano is heavier with 63.5 grams compared to the Dustproof Red's 60 grams. The Dustproof Red switch provides a medium typing feel in terms of both actuation and bottom out force, while the Piano offers a medium-heavy feel due to its higher bottom out force. Both switches will provide similar results for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and feel.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This similarity ensures that you will get a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. However, despite their equal travel distance, the Outemu Dustproof Red may feel slightly shorter or longer to some users due to other factors such as actuation force and overall switch design. Ultimately, both switches provide a smooth and linear typing experience with a consistent travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Dustproof Red 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its deep, creamy, and bassy sound signature, providing a rich auditory experience during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Dustproof Red switch's sound qualities are not specifically detailed, so it may not offer the same level of depth and richness as the Piano switch. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a keyboard switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Piano linear switch is praised for its frictionless and silky typing experience, giving users a smooth and effortless feel while typing. In contrast, there is no clear description of the tactile feel of the Outemu Dustproof Red switch, so it may not provide the same level of smoothness and fluid travel as the Piano switch. The lack of detailed information on the feel of the Dustproof Red switch makes it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect.
Overall, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out for its pleasant typing experience, characterized by a gliding push feel, deep sound profile, and smooth tactile feedback. While the Outemu Dustproof Red switch may offer similar qualities, the lack of detailed information on its sound and feel leaves some uncertainty regarding how it compares to the Durock Piano switch. For a more certain outcome, trying out both switches on a personal keyboard setup and comparing them firsthand would provide the most accurate assessment of which switch better suits individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is important to consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a reliable linear switch with no specific standout features, the Dustproof Red may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth, gliding typing experience with a deep and rich sound profile, the Durock Piano switch, known for its proprietary material blend and silky, frictionless feel, may be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what qualities you value most in a keyboard switch.
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