Outemu Silver vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silver and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silver and Durock White Lotus offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences. The Outemu Silver is a linear switch known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent feel. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus stands out for its light tactile feedback, perfect for those who appreciate a subtle but satisfying typing experience. While the Silver is ideal for fast-paced typing and gaming due to its linear design, the White Lotus is favored by typists looking for a gentle tactility without being too overwhelming. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different user preferences, offering a choice between a straightforward linear switch or a tactile option with a touch of elegance. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Silver and the Durock White Lotus switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched sound profile. However, the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a unique and premium feel that sets it apart from the Silver. The use of polycarbonate in the Silver's housing makes it ideal for switches designed for RGB lighting due to its translucency, whereas the White Lotus's housing offers a different tactile experience.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Silver and the White Lotus switches use nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience when it comes to bottom-out sound and feel, with the nylon material playing a significant role in delivering a satisfying typing experience.
While the housing materials of the Outemu Silver and the Durock White Lotus switches differ in their top housing composition, they both offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience. The stiffer polycarbonate used in the Silver's top housing creates a crisper sound, while the modified PC & UPE Blend material of the White Lotus provides a premium feel. Despite the differences in top housing material, the switches' utilization of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a consistent depth and fullness to the sound profile, making both switches a viable option for those seeking a high-quality typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is evident that the Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the White Lotus' slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silver requires a heavier 65 grams compared to the White Lotus' lighter 56 grams. This means that while the Silver offers a lighter initial press, it requires more force to fully bottom out compared to the White Lotus. Both switches provide a balance between actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for different preferences. Users seeking a lighter typing experience may prefer the White Lotus, while those looking for a more substantial feel may opt for the Outemu Silver. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. As a result, the typing experience on both switches will feel similar in terms of the distance the key travels from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that whether you choose the Outemu Silver or the Durock White Lotus, you can expect consistent performance and feel when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
The Outemu Silver 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 Silver switch is recognized for its specific sound characteristics, which unfortunately have not been provided in the information given. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is noted for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The low-pitched nature of the White Lotus switch contributes to a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the neutral sound profile offers a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various typing scenarios. Keep in mind that the overall sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
When it comes to the typing feel, the Outemu Silver switch details are missing. Conversely, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as being easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. These characteristics collectively create a typing experience that is not only effortless and comfortable due to the light actuation force and gentle resistance, but also approachable to most users with its gentle typing feel and sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared environments.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Silver switch's specific sound and feel characteristics are not provided, the White Lotus switch is praised for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with an easy-to-press, mild, and subtle tactile feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding typing sound, feel, and the overall typing experience desired. If you enjoy a delicate tactility with a balanced sound profile, the White Lotus switch may be the ideal choice for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and are not concerned about specific features such as sound and feel, the Silver switch may be a suitable choice. However, if you value a lighter bottom out force, delicate tactility, and the option for vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus switch would be more favorable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the features that are most important to you.
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