Outemu Peach vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Peach and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The world of mechanical keyboards is vast, and with so many switch options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect one for your needs. Two switches that are worth considering are the Outemu Peach and the Durock Piano, both of which fall into the linear switch category. The Outemu Peach is best known for its lightweight and silenced nature, making it a favorite among linear lovers seeking a feathery light typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend, resulting in a pleasant and gliding push feel, accompanied by a deep and creamy sound signature. While these general descriptions provide a starting point, it is essential to dive deeper into the intricacies of each switch to ensure the best choice for your personalized keyboard setup.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
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 Outemu Outemu Peach and the Durock Piano have different housing materials for both their top and bottom housings. The Outemu Peach utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Piano uses a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Outemu Peach is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Piano's POM blend top housing offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact details of the blend are unknown.
While the top and bottom housing materials differ between the two switches, they both strive to enhance the sound profile of the switches. The bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed. With the Outemu Peach's nylon bottom housing and the Piano's POM blend bottom housing, both switches aim to provide a rich and immersive typing experience. Similarly, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. The nylon top housing of the Outemu Peach and the POM blend top housing of the Piano both contribute to a satisfying and distinct sound profile upon key release.
In terms of overall results, the Outemu Peach and the Durock Piano can produce similar outcomes in terms of sound profiles. Both switches focus on delivering a deeper and fuller sound experience, albeit through different materials. Whether it's the nylon housing of the Outemu Peach or the proprietary POM blend housing of the Piano, users can expect an enhanced auditory experience while typing. The differences in materials may offer slight variations in sound quality, but the intention behind both switches remains the same - to provide an engaging and immersive typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Outemu Peach linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it becomes apparent that they offer different levels of resistance. The Outemu Peach has a relatively light actuation force of 40 grams, which means that a gentle touch is enough to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, it has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that it requires a slightly firmer press to fully depress the key.
On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch's actuation force is unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, its bottom out force is stated to be 63.5 grams, suggesting a somewhat heavier feel compared to the Outemu Peach. This increased resistance might appeal to individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience.
Considering weight as a factor, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Peach make it suitable for those who wish to type for extended periods of time. This is particularly useful for individuals who use their keyboards for work or enjoy long gaming sessions without experiencing fatigue. In contrast, the Durock Piano's heavier bottom out force may provide a stronger push feel, resulting in a more forceful and satisfying typing experience.
Overall, while the actuation force of the Durock Piano switch is unknown, it is apparent that the Outemu Peach offers a lighter touch with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. However, individuals seeking a heavier typing experience might find the Durock Piano's medium-heavy bottom out force more suitable.
Travel distance
The Outemu Peach linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Durock Piano switch is the longer option. The 4.0mm travel distance is considered the most traditional, while the 3.0 mm is the shallowest. However, there is currently a trend towards shorter travel distances, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Outemu Peach with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances too abrupt and prefer a switch with more depth. In this case, the Durock Piano with its longer travel distance would be a better fit.
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 Peach comes in at $3.40 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
Sound-wise, the Outemu Peach is a neutral switch with a muted sound profile. It provides a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular or clacky switches. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is known for its deep and creamy sound signature, characterized by a lower frequency range resembling bass tones. It offers a more bassy sound profile during key presses.
When it comes to the feel, the Outemu Peach offers a mild and subtle typing experience. It falls within a safe, middle-ground zone, providing a gentle resistance and a light typing feel. The switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Durock Piano is frictionless and offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, providing a silky smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Considering all the available information, the Outemu Peach and the Durock Piano differ in their sound and feel qualities. The Outemu Peach provides a neutral and muted sound profile, along with a mild, subtle, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano offers a bassy sound profile and a frictionless, silky smooth typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. If you prefer a feathery light typing experience with a muted sound, the Outemu Peach would be a good choice. If you value a deep and creamy sound signature with an extremely smooth typing experience, the Durock Piano would be more suitable.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a linear lover seeking a feathery light typing experience, the Outemu Peach switches would be a perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches are very lightweight and also silenced, making them ideal for those who prefer a gentle and subtle typing feel. The Outemu Peach switches offer a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and polished key travel. In terms of sound, they produce a softer and quieter sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, if you are looking for a pleasant linear switch with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano switches would be the way to go. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience. They provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance, giving you a frictionless and silky feel. The Durock Piano switches have a bassy sound profile, characterized by a lower frequency range, adding depth and richness to your typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between Outemu Peach and Durock Piano switches comes down to your personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.