SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus, both of which offer a tactile typing experience. The Polaris Purple is renowned for its exhilarating tactile bump, providing a satisfying sensation with each keystroke. The snappy sound profile further enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making them ideal for extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. Additionally, these switches feature a removable light column that allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus switches offer distinct characteristics and qualities. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for those who want to utilize RGB lighting in their switches. On the other hand, the White Lotus adopts a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which provides a unique and premium feel. While there may be similarities in terms of overall performance, the difference in materials will result in contrasting experiences for users.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Polaris Purple and the White Lotus adopt different materials. The Polaris Purple utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which aligns with its top housing. This enables a consistent sound profile, contributing to a sharp and resonant experience when bottoming out a key. In contrast, the White Lotus employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon being a softer plastic, it absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This can lead to a slightly more rounded sound and feel compared to the Polaris Purple.
It is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of a switch. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing's characteristics will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a stronger impact on the sound released when letting go of a key. Therefore, while there may be similarities between the two switches, the materials used in their housing will offer distinct experiences in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Polaris Purple's actuation force is unavailable, while the White Lotus has an actuation force of 46 grams. The actuation force determines the pressure required to trigger a keystroke, and as such, the White Lotus requires a lighter push than the Polaris Purple.
Moving on to bottom out force, the Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams, considered medium-heavy. In contrast, the White Lotus has a bottom out force of 56 grams, which is medium-light. Bottoming out refers to the act of pressing a key all the way down, and the force required for the White Lotus is lighter compared to the Polaris Purple.
Considering the weight aspect, the lighter actuation force of the White Lotus makes it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to trigger a keystroke. However, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Polaris Purple with its heavier forces, both in actuation and bottom out.
While the exact actuation force for the Polaris Purple is unavailable, it is important to note that both switches offer different levels of resistance, allowing users to choose according to their personal preferences. Ultimately, individuals seeking a lighter feel will find the White Lotus to be a more suitable option, while those desiring a stronger push feel will prefer the Polaris Purple.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience provided by these switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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.
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
The Polaris Purple switch is known for its exhilarating tactile typing experience, featuring a big tactile bump. In terms of sound, the Polaris Purple is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch is designed with the discerning typist in mind, offering a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. The White Lotus switch also features a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects. In terms of sound, the White Lotus switch is described as low-pitched, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for various typing needs.
Moving on to feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristics of the switch provide a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch is known for being easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses. This low-impact typing feel requires minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. The White Lotus switch also provides a subtle resistance and sound signature, making it suitable for shared spaces.
To summarize, the Polaris Purple and White Lotus switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Polaris Purple switch provides an exhilarating tactile typing experience with a neutral sound profile and a mild, polished feel. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch offers a delicate tactility with low-pitched sound characteristics and an easy-to-press, subtle typing feel. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them versatile for various typing needs. In terms of sound and feel, these switches provide different experiences, allowing users to choose based on their preferences. However, if you prefer a similar tactile and mild typing experience, you can expect similar results from both switches.
Conclusion
In closing, it is clear that both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus tactile switches offer unique features and characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing needs. If you are seeking a medium-heavy switch with a big tactile bump and a snappy sound profile, the Polaris Purple would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a delicate tactility and the option for vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus is the perfect fit.
In terms of sound, the Polaris Purple provides a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and skill levels. Conversely, the White Lotus offers a low-pitched sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow, creating a different auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Polaris Purple offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The White Lotus, on the other hand, provides an easy-to-press feel with minimal resistance and a low-impact typing experience. Additionally, the White Lotus switch is described as having a subtle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces.
Ultimately, your decision between the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Durock White Lotus tactile switches should be based on your personal preferences for bottom-out force, tactile experience, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider the information provided and choose the switch that aligns with your desired typing experience. Happy typing!
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