Outemu Red vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Red and Durock Piano switches both offer a linear typing experience. The Outemu Red switch is best known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent actuation, making it a popular choice for gamers. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch stands out for its unique blend of materials that provide a bassy, frictionless, and silky typing 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
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.10 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
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 housing materials of the Outemu Red and the Durock Piano switches offer different sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for better resonance and clarity in the sound produced. In contrast, the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend top housing, which is said to offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While both materials are known for their transparency, polycarbonate's stiffness likely results in a different overall sound compared to the POM blend.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Red incorporates a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. Conversely, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, which is noted for its satisfying and deep sound profile. Both materials are crucial in influencing the overall sound and feel of the switch, with each offering distinct characteristics that affect typing experience. Despite the different materials used, both the Red and the Piano aim to provide a high-quality typing experience through their respective housing materials.
Overall, the choice of housing materials between the Outemu Red and the Durock Piano switches plays a significant role in their sound profiles and tactile feedback. While the Red utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend for both top and bottom housings. This creates a unique typing experience for each switch, with the different materials contributing to the overall sound and feel when typing. The transparency of polycarbonate and POM blend adds an aesthetic appeal to both switches, enhancing the overall look of the keyboard. Ultimately, the housing materials of each switch cater to different preferences in terms of sound and typing feel, offering a variety of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Outemu Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch both have medium actuation forces, with the Red at 46 grams and the Piano not specified. However, the bottom out force of the Red is 62 grams, while the Piano is slightly heavier at 63.5 grams. This means that the Red switch is lighter when it comes to bottoming out, making it potentially more comfortable for longer typing sessions or gaming. The Piano switch, on the other hand, offers a slightly heavier feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, if actuation force is the same in both switches, users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for weight and feel.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Red and Durock Piano linear switches have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the travel distance of linear switches, it is important to note that a shorter travel distance can lead to quicker key presses and potentially increased typing speed. However, a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying tactile feedback and a more comfortable typing experience. In this case, since both the Outemu Red and Durock Piano switches have the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference for other factors such as actuation force or sound profile.
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 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 Outemu Red linear switch is known for a lack of distinctive characteristics. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is praised for its deep and creamy sound profile, which is often described as bassy. This difference in sound can greatly impact the overall typing experience, especially when considering personal preferences for keyboard acoustics.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Red is not particularly known for any specific tactile quality. In contrast, the Durock Piano linear switch is lauded for its frictionless and silky feel. These characteristics translate to a smooth and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance during key presses. The tactile feedback from the Durock Piano switch can greatly enhance typing comfort and overall satisfaction.
Taking into account the sound profile and typing feel of both switches, it is clear that the Durock Piano linear switch offers a more pleasing and versatile experience compared to the Outemu Red linear switch. The deep, creamy sound signature and frictionless, silky feel of the Piano switch make it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts. However, it is important to remember that personal preferences play a significant role in determining the best switch for individual users. Ultimately, both switches offer quality performance, but the Durock Piano switch provides a more refined and enjoyable typing experience for those seeking superior sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the Outemu Red linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific qualities you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force and are not particularly focused on sound or feel, the Outemu Red may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force, a deep and creamy sound signature, and a gliding push feel with a frictionless and silky typing experience, then the Durock Piano may be the better option. Consider how each switch aligns with your typing preferences and needs to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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