Durock Sea Glass vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Sea Glass and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g stand out as compelling options, each catering to distinct preferences in the typing experience. The Sea Glass switches, available in a delightful array of pastel colors, are celebrated for their unique blend of materials that produces an airy and light feel while ensuring smooth keystrokes, despite their 62g bottom-out force. This weightlessness, combined with a distinct hollow sound signature, makes them ideal for users who enjoy a tactile yet wispier typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura switches focus on delivering a whisper-quiet experience, perfect for those who prioritize subtlety in their typing sessions. With a slightly lighter 53g bottom-out force, these switches create a satisfying keystroke that mimics the soft sound of raindrops, appealing to typists who work in shared environments or late-night settings. While both switches offer a linear feel, their unique characteristics cater to varied needs, making the choice between them a matter of personal preferences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches employ distinct housing materials that impart unique sound profiles and tactile characteristics. The Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both its top and bottom housing, which results in a sound profile that is relatively bright but pleasant. The unique blend offers a softer touch, contributing to its overall typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g's top housing is crafted from traditional nylon, known for elements like a deeper, fuller sound. In this case, the nylon's softer characteristics help dampen sound, producing a more muted auditory experience compared to the Sea Glass switches.
While both switches feature nylon in their top housing, the Silent Sakura's use of polycarbonate for the bottom housing sets it apart. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, providing a higher-pitched and crisper sound profile that contrasts with the warm and bright tones produced by the Sea Glass's uniform blend. This difference means that, although the top housings are somewhat similar in their ability to create nuanced sound experiences, the contrasting bottom housings allow for different overall auditory and tactile responses. As a result, press actions on the Silent Sakura switches can elicit a sharper bottom-out sound, while the Sea Glass switches lean towards a more cohesive sound profile due to the consistent material used throughout.
Ultimately, despite the contrasting materials used in the bottom housings, both switches aim to provide satisfying and distinct typing experiences. With the Sea Glass, its consistent nylon and UHMWPE blend helps create a seamless auditory output, whereas the Silent Sakura’s polycarbonate offers a pronounced difference between the top and bottom sounds. Therefore, while you can achieve similar typing results by adjusting your typing style or using additional dampening materials, the inherent qualities of each switch’s housing will impact the end results distinctly. This means that, while both the Sea Glass and Silent Sakura may deliver satisfying volume and feel upon engagement, they will do so through unique auditory signatures derived from their specific housing compositions.
Weight
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch both share the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. This similarity can provide users with a comparable typing or gaming experience regarding actuation, allowing for a smooth and responsive feel. However, the bottom out forces differ significantly: the Sea Glass has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Silent Sakura - 53g bottoms out at 53 grams. As a result, the Sea Glass offers a heavier, more substantial feel upon fully depressing the key, which might appeal to those who prefer a stronger push during typing. Conversely, the Silent Sakura, being the lighter switch overall due to its lower bottom out force, may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming, providing a softer touch. In summary, while both switches have the same actuation force, the Sea Glass is heavier at bottom out compared to the lighter Silent Sakura - 53g.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, there is a noticeable difference between the two. The Sea Glass switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Silent Sakura switch features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means that the Sea Glass switch offers a slightly shorter distance, which can result in quicker response times that some gamers may prefer for enhanced performance. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial tactile feedback, appealing to users who enjoy a deeper feel when typing or gaming. Therefore, if you value responsiveness, the Durock Sea Glass is the better choice, while those who prefer a more traditional depth may opt for the Silent Sakura.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 53g comes in at $3.50 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
The sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is characterized by a uniquely hollow quality that can evoke a wispiness, contributing to its distinctive auditory signature. This sound may be perceived as airy, which suits those who appreciate a less intrusive sound when typing. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch is engineered for a whisper-quiet experience, reminiscent of raindrops tapping against a window. This switch prioritizes silence, making it ideal for environments where noise levels must be kept to a minimum. It's important to note that both sound characteristics can be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard frame and keycaps, which could alter the final auditory output.
In terms of feel, the Durock Sea Glass switch epitomizes a frictionless experience, offering a smooth and effortless typing motion that minimizes any sense of resistance. Its mild characteristics ensure that the experience remains approachable for most users. The switches feel feathery and easy-to-press, allowing for extended typing sessions without significant finger fatigue. Conversely, details on the feel of the Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch are not provided; however, given that it has a balanced weight of 53g, it is likely to offer a moderately comfortable experience, appealing to typists who prefer a lighter yet satisfying keystroke.
In summary, both the Durock Sea Glass and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches aim to deliver enjoyable typing experiences but cater to slightly different preferences. The Sea Glass offers a distinctively hollow sound and a smooth, frictionless feel, while the Silent Sakura emphasizes a quiet typing experience with a potentially gentle touch. For those looking for visually appealing aesthetics combined with a light and airy typing experience, the Sea Glass would be a fitting choice, while the Silent Sakura serves well for those prioritizing quietness in their typing. Each choice will provide a unique flavor in the mechanical keyboard experience, allowing users to select based on their auditory and tactile preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g largely depends on your preferences for typing feel, sound, and the type of work you do. If you enjoy a typing experience that feels light, smooth, and airier, the Sea Glass switches—with their 62g bottom-out force—are an excellent choice. Their unique frictionless feel is particularly rewarding for users who delight in a fluid keystroke and don’t mind the distinct sound signature that comes with a hollow resonance. These switches can enhance your typing rhythm, making them ideal for extended writing sessions or gaming marathons where responsiveness and comfort are key. Conversely, if you are seeking a quieter switch without sacrificing performance, the Silent Sakura should be your go-to. With a lighter 53g bottom-out force, these switches provide a satisfying and gentle keystroke while maintaining a whisper-quiet operation, perfect for typing in shared spaces without disturbing others. The mellow sound it produces mimics the calm of gentle raindrops, making it suited for office environments or late-night work sessions where silence is golden. Ultimately, whether you choose the Durock Sea Glass or the HMX Silent Sakura, you’re selecting a switch that can cater to your specific typing needs, helping to optimize your overall keyboard experience.
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