Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze, a clicky switch, to the Durock Sea Glass, a linear switch, there are distinct differences in both feel and sound. The Spring Breeze is best known for its clicky feedback, providing a satisfying auditory response with each key press. On the other hand, the Sea Glass is best known for its smoothness and unique dry, wispiness thanks to its proprietary material blend. While the Spring Breeze offers a tactile typing experience, the Sea Glass switches present a frictionless and easy-to-press feel. Both switches have their advantages, with the Spring Breeze catering to those who enjoy the audible feedback of a clicky switch and the Sea Glass appealing to those who prefer a smooth and quiet 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
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
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 Spring Breeze and the Durock Sea Glass both utilize nylon in their construction, which brings about similar qualities in terms of sound profile. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound when typing on switches, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound overall. However, the Sea Glass introduces a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its housing, offering a slightly brighter sound profile compared to the deeper tones of the Spring Breeze.
In terms of the top housings, the Spring Breeze's nylon top housing and the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing both contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. While the Spring Breeze leans towards a deeper sound due to the nylon material, the Sea Glass presents a sound that is described as pleasant and slightly brighter. This difference in sound can affect the typing experience and the overall feel of the switch. The top housing plays a significant role in the sound emitted when a key is released, adding to the overall typing experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches use nylon for this component. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. In the case of the Spring Breeze and the Sea Glass, the use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes to the overall typing experience and sound profile. While the Sea Glass introduces a unique blend with UHMWPE in its bottom housing, the qualities of nylon still shine through in both switches, creating a familiar and reliable typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Spring Breeze has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with a lighter touch. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Spring Breeze requires 55 grams of force while the Sea Glass needs 62 grams, indicating a slightly heavier typing experience with the Sea Glass. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range of actuation and bottom out forces, providing a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is preferred.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Sea Glass switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Spring Breeze switch. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Spring Breeze being on the longer side and the Sea Glass being slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the Sea Glass switch for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial keypress may opt for the Spring Breeze switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for individual users.
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 Spring Breeze 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 Spring Breeze clicky switch is known for its satisfying clicky sound as the switch actuates and resets. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature that can provide a different auditory experience. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Spring Breeze is reported to offer a None feel, which indicates that there is no specific descriptor available for its typing experience. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities. These characteristics suggest that typing on the Sea Glass switches is likely to feel smooth, gentle, light, and effortless, catering to users who prefer a comfortable typing experience without much resistance.
Overall, both the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer unique qualities that can appeal to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. While the Spring Breeze may provide a traditional clicky typing experience, the Sea Glass switch stands out for its captivating pastel colors and smooth, weightless feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetic appeal when customizing a mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch or the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a light and clicky typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, then the Spring Breeze may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the unique pastel colors, airy feel, and distinct dryness of the Sea Glass switch with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, then the Sea Glass switch may be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer different typing experiences, so it is important to consider factors such as sound, feel, and bottom out force to determine which switch aligns best with your preferences.
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