TTC Silent Brown vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider your personal preferences and typing needs. The TTC Silent Brown and the Durock White Lotus are two popular options, each offering unique features and benefits. The Silent Brown switches provide a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. Additionally, the muted sound profile of these switches ensures a quieter environment during intense typing sessions. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind. They offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, suitable for both work and extended typing sessions. These switches also feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. While these generalities offer a glimpse into the strengths of each switch, let's dive in a bit deeper to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches have distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. While both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, the Silent Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile compared to the modified PC and UPE Blend top housing of the White Lotus. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate in the Silent Brown switch leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for users who prefer a higher-pitched sound. On the other hand, the modified PC and UPE Blend top housing of the White Lotus offers a unique and premium feel, although the exact sound profile is not explicitly described.
In terms of the bottom housings, both switches use nylon, which is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a relatively softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. As a result, both the Silent Brown and the White Lotus switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound, with the nylon bottom housings contributing to a more resonant and satisfying auditory feedback during key presses.
While the differences between the top housings of the Silent Brown and the White Lotus switches may impact the sound when keys are released, the bottom housings play a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, when pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing will be more noticeable. The use of nylon in both switches ensures a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile, allowing users to enjoy a satisfying typing experience with either switch.
In conclusion, the TTC Silent Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches have distinguishing features in their housing materials. The Silent Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel. However, both switches share the use of nylon in their bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Ultimately, users can expect similar results when it comes to the overall sound experience, with the differences primarily affecting the top-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Silent Brown has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the White Lotus requires 46 grams to trigger a keystroke. Although the difference is minimal, those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Silent Brown more suitable for their typing needs. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Brown is heavier at 63.5 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience when fully pressing down. On the other hand, the White Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 56 grams, which may be preferred by individuals who prioritize longer typing sessions without causing excessive fatigue. Overall, the Silent Brown can be considered medium-heavy in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, while the White Lotus falls within the medium-light range. Each switch offers its unique characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their preferred force requirements for a comfortable typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there is a slight difference. The Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the White Lotus has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the more standard option, the Silent Brown offers a slightly shorter travel distance. Gamers, who prioritize faster response times, may prefer the Silent Brown's shorter travel distance for its increased responsiveness. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial key press experience may lean towards the Durock White Lotus, as its longer travel distance provides a heartier depth. Overall, while the TTC Silent Brown has a slightly shorter travel distance than the Durock White Lotus, both switches offer similar results and can be chosen based on individual preferences and desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer different experiences. The Silent Brown switch is known for its muted sound profile, which produces a softer and quieter typing sound compared to regular switches. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. Low-pitched switches tend to have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while neutral switches have a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both switches provide comfortable typing experiences with their tactile feedback. The Silent Brown switch is described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches offer a seamless and effortless typing sensation, thanks to their polished finish and reduced friction. The switch also falls under the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience that stands in a safe middle-ground zone. Similarly, the White Lotus switch is easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. It provides a low-impact and responsive typing feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Like the Silent Brown, the White Lotus switch is also described as mild and subtle, offering a gentle resistance and a sound signature suitable for shared spaces.
Overall, while the Silent Brown and the White Lotus switches have their unique sound and feel characteristics, they both aim to provide satisfying and comfortable typing experiences. The Silent Brown offers a muted sound profile and a buttery and polished feel, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a softer and quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with an easy-to-press and mild feel, making it ideal for users who enjoy a light tactile feedback. These switches provide similar results in terms of comfort and satisfaction, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for newcomers to mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the choice between TTC Silent Brown and Durock White Lotus tactile switches, there are a few key factors to consider. The Silent Brown switches are best known for offering a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. These switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. They also have a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind and offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. They have a medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams and feature a removable light column that allows for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects. The White Lotus switches have a low-pitched sound profile and provide an easy-to-press, low-impact typing feel. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your preference for typing resistance, sound profile, and overall typing experience.
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