Kailh Plum vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Kailh Plum and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Kailh Plum, a tactile switch, and the Durock Sea Glass, a linear switch. The Plum offers a unique feel with its hefty build and a subtle tactile bump, setting it apart from other tactile switches. Its sound profile is neutral and pleasant, making it an enjoyable option for typing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock captures attention with its captivating pastel colors. These switches provide a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, despite their smoothness remaining uncompromised. Additionally, they defy expectations with their weightlessness and reveal a uniquely hollow sound signature while typing. These general pointers give a glimpse into what each switch has to offer. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can better decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Kailh Plum and the Durock Sea Glass differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Plum features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which creates a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing. This unique blend produces a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. While both materials provide a translucent appearance for compatibility with RGB lighting, they create different sonic experiences.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Plum incorporates a nylon material, known for its classic switch housing properties. Nylon generates a deeper and fuller sound profile, as its softer nature absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Conversely, the Sea Glass employs a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This intriguing combination yields a sound profile that is again pleasant but lacks sharpness, resembling a brighter tone. It is worth noting that the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing the switch.
Despite their differences, both the Kailh Plum and the Durock Sea Glass prioritize creating a satisfying typing experience through their housing materials. While the Plum focuses on a stiffer polycarbonate top housing for a crisper sound profile, the Sea Glass opts for a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE, resulting in a pleasant but less sharp sound. The nylon bottom housings also contribute to the different sound profiles, with the Plum offering a deeper and fuller sound, and the Sea Glass providing a brighter tone. However, both switches share the goal of enhancing the typing experience by utilizing suitable and carefully chosen housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Plum's actuation force is listed as unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare to the Sea Glass's actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Plum has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. In contrast, the Sea Glass has a lower bottom out force of 62 grams, categorizing it as a medium-weight switch.
Weight is an important factor to consider as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Some individuals prefer lighter switches, such as the Sea Glass, as it enables them to type for extended periods without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work environments or long gaming sessions where sustained typing is required. On the other hand, those who seek a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces, like the Plum. This provides a stronger push feel, satisfying users who prefer a more tactile and robust typing experience.
Although the actuation force for the Plum is not specified, it is possible that it is similar to or even lighter than the Sea Glass's 45 grams. In terms of bottoming out, the Plum is heavier at 70 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 62 grams.
Ultimately, choosing between these two switches would depend on personal preferences. Those who value a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Sea Glass, while users who enjoy a more forceful and substantial keystroke may find the Plum more suitable.
Travel distance
The Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have different travel distances. The Plum has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, they do differ in terms of depth. Gamers, who value faster response times, may prefer the Plum with its shorter travel distance. The quicker actuation can provide a more responsive gaming experience. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Sea Glass with its longer travel distance. The additional depth can provide a more satisfying feel when typing or gaming. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 Kailh Plum tactile switch is known for its neutral profile. These switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for a variety of purposes. The sound produced by the Plum switch is enjoyable and doesn't lean towards being too loud or quiet. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is not specified in the given information. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can vary depending on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Plum switch offers a mild and stepped typing experience. The mild characteristic provides a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users, with a safe middle-ground feel. The stepped feature gives the switch a two-stage feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during keystrokes. Moving on to the Durock Sea Glass switch, it is described as frictionless, which means it offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. The switch glides effortlessly, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is also mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions with reduced finger fatigue.
Overall, the Kailh Plum tactile switch and Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Plum switch stands out with its hefty feel and unique tactile bump that is less pronounced compared to other tactile switches. It also has a neutral sound profile and provides a mild and stepped typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch captivates with its pastel colors and distinctive dryness, wispiness, and airiness in its typing experience. It offers a frictionless feel, a uniquely hollow sound signature, and a lightweight nature that defies expectations. Whether you choose the Plum or Sea Glass switch, both are designed to enhance your typing experience, providing either a unique tactile feel or a smooth linear experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with unique tactility and weightiness, the Kailh Plum tactile switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a hefty feel without a pronounced tactile bump, providing a distinct typing experience. In terms of sound, the Plum has a neutral profile that is enjoyable for both beginners and advanced users, suitable for various environments. Additionally, the Plum switch is described as having a mild and stepped feel, offering a gentle typing experience with a sense of pre-travel and/or post-travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium switch with a weightless and frictionless nature, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a perfect fit. These switches possess a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel lightweight and offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. In terms of sound, these switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature. Furthermore, the Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing a comfortable and low-impact typing feel.
Ultimately, the choice between Kailh Plum tactile switches and Durock Sea Glass linear switches comes down to personal preferences. If you prioritize a heavy and unique tactile experience, go for the Plum switches. If you prefer a weightless and frictionless typing experience, the Sea Glass switches are the way to go. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired level of tactile feedback to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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