Durock Piano vs. Gateron Weightlessness

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Piano and Gateron Weightlessness each offer unique experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Durock Piano, a linear switch, excels in delivering a smooth, gliding push feel with its proprietary material blend, characterized by a deep and creamy sound signature. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a seamless typing experience and a more bassy, frictionless sensation. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness, a tactile switch, provides a subtle to moderate tactile bump that enhances feedback during typing while maintaining a balanced sound profile. This feature appeals to users who enjoy a more interactive experience without sacrificing noise levels. Both switches possess distinctive qualities that cater to different needs—whether you prefer the silky smoothness of the Pianos or the tactile feedback of the Weightlessness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Piano Linear

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Piano switch and the Gateron Weightlessness switch exhibit some notable differences, particularly in the composition and sound profile attributed to their individual materials. The Piano switch utilizes a proprietary POM blend for both its top and bottom housings. While the exact formulation of this blend remains unspecified, it is known to facilitate a distinctively satisfying and deep sound profile. In contrast, the Weightlessness employs a classic nylon material for its top and bottom housing. Nylon is recognized for its softer plastic properties, which contribute to a fuller sound by absorbing sound waves more effectively than harder plastics can. As a result, the Piano switch may produce a different auditory experience than the Weightlessness, despite both being designed to offer deep and resonant sound profiles.

When considering the impact of these different housing materials, it is essential to examine how each influences the overall typing experience. The POM blend in the Durock Piano is expected to produce a unique blend of tactile feedback and audible depth, making for a captivating typing experience. Meanwhile, the Gateron Weightlessness stands out due to nylon’s characteristic ability to dull and round out sounds, potentially creating a warmer auditory response during key presses. Since both switches use soft plastics, they may yield similar results when it comes to the bottom-out feel, though the nuances in sound production during release will be distinct owing to the differences in material properties.

In terms of the dualistic nature of switch design, where the top and bottom housings contribute to a combined auditory and tactile experience, both the Durock Piano and Gateron Weightlessness exhibit complexities due to their unique housing compositions. The bottom housing is critical for the bottom-out sound and feel, which is particularly significant in the Piano's case where the POM blend is likely to accentuate direct key interactions. Conversely, the Gateron switches may provide a comforting and dulled auditory experience due to nylon’s acoustic absorption qualities, contributing to a smoother key release. Ultimately, while the shifts in materials offer distinct profiles, both switches aim to elevate the typing experience, presenting users with their own unique interpretations of sound and feel through the careful selection of housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, we see notable differences that cater to various preferences in typing feel. The Piano switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy resistance at the key's deepest point, but its actuation force remains unspecified. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch has a defined actuation force of 50 grams, which makes it lighter in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch is unknown. Consequently, if we consider the Piano switch's known bottom out force against the Weightlessness’s lighter actuation, one could infer that for users who favor a less tiring typing experience—like those engaged in prolonged sessions—the Gateron Weightlessness may be the better choice due to its lighter actuation force. Those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Durock Piano owing to its heavier bottom out, making it more robust when fully pressed down.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, a noticeable difference arises. The Durock Piano features a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which aligns with traditional standards known for providing a more pronounced key feel. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, catering to gamers and users who prefer the quicker response times associated with shallower switches. Consequently, if you value a more responsive typing experience, the Gateron Weightlessness might be the better choice. However, for those who appreciate a more substantial depth in keystrokes, the Durock Piano’s 4.0 mm travel distance offers a more satisfying and tactile experience. Thus, while both switches serve different preferences, the Durock Piano stands out as the longer travel option, while the Gateron Weightlessness is the shorter one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out with its deep, creamy sound signature that is both rich and bassy. This characteristic allows for a satisfying auditory experience as the keys are pressed, producing a low-frequency tone that resonates well and provides a profound acoustic feedback. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches do not have a specific sound profile described, which leaves us lacking detailed information about their auditory qualities. This means that while the Piano's sound can contribute to an immersive typing experience, the Weightlessness sound may vary significantly depending on the board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switches are remarkable for their frictionless and silky typing experience. These switches allow for smooth, effortless key presses with minimal resistance, enhancing the sensation of fluidity during typing. The silky quality further emphasizes this seamless interaction, giving users a remarkably enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switches are noted for offering a subtle to moderate tactile feel, but there aren’t additional details on their feel characteristics. While the tactile nature may provide a unique typing experience, the exact sensation compared to the Piano switches remains unknown.

In summary, the Durock Piano linear switches excel in both sound and feel, providing users with a rich auditory experience and an exceptionally smooth typing response, thanks to their unique material composition. The Gateron Weightlessness switches, while offering a subtle tactile feedback, lack detailed descriptions of their sound and feel, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. Ultimately, those seeking a rich auditory experience and smooth typing might lean towards the Piano switches, while the Weightlessness may appeal to those interested in a tactile typing experience, albeit with less clarity regarding their sound profile.

Conclusion

To wrap up, choosing between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch depends largely on your typing preferences and intended use. If you value a smooth and satisfying typing experience, the Durock Piano switch is the way to go. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, combined with a frictionless and silky feel, makes it ideal for both prolonged typing sessions and gaming, offering an enjoyable gliding sensation with a deeper, rich bassy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer tactile feedback while still maintaining a balanced experience, the Gateron Weightlessness switch would be more suitable. Its subtle to moderate tactile bump provides that satisfying feedback without being overly pronounced, making it a great choice for users who appreciate a balanced sound profile and a less demanding keypress. Ultimately, your choice will reflect your personal typing style and what you seek in a mechanical switch, whether it’s the smoothness and richness of the Piano or the tactility and balance of the Weightlessness.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more