TKC Tangerine vs. Durock White Lotus

Overview

The TKC Tangerine and the Durock White Lotus are two highly sought-after mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a unique typing experience. If you prefer a linear switch, the Tangerine is the perfect choice for you. Renowned for its buttery smooth feel, typing on the Tangerine switch is truly a pleasure. Its UHWMPE housings, a rarity in the world of custom mechanical switches, significantly contribute to its exceptional smoothness. However, it is important to note that the Tangerine switch produces a fairly high-pitched clack when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch, the Durock White Lotus is a stellar option. Designed with the discerning typist in mind, these switches offer a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. They are ideal for work and extended typing sessions, providing just the right amount of feedback without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for captivating RGB lighting effects that add a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. Both switches offer their own advantages, so let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your typing needs.

By the numbers

TKC Tangerine Linear

Durock White Lotus Tactile

$6.30 per 10

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

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Housing materials

The TKC Tangerine and the Durock White Lotus differ in terms of their housing materials. The Tangerine features a UHWMPE top housing, while the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing. Both materials offer unique characteristics that enhance the typing experience. The UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine produces a bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing. On the other hand, the modified PC and UPE Blend top housing of the White Lotus provides a premium feel, giving the switches a distinctive sensation.

In addition to the top housings, the bottom housings of these switches also vary. The Tangerine features a UHWMPE bottom housing, while the White Lotus incorporates a nylon bottom housing. With the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing, users can expect a bright sound signature similar to its top housing. This material contributes to the resonant clacks and overall sound when bottoming out the keys. On the contrary, the nylon bottom housing of the White Lotus results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when typing.

Although the top and bottom housings differ between the Tangerine and the White Lotus, both switches provide unique sound characteristics. The Tangerine's UHWMPE top and bottom housings create a cohesive bright sound signature throughout the typing experience. Similarly, the White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, coupled with the nylon bottom housing, work together to deliver a premium feel and a deep, resonant sound. Despite their differences, users can expect similar results in terms of enhancing the typing sound and feel with these housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, there are notable differences in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Tangerine switch is not provided, while the White Lotus switch has an actuation force of 46 grams. This means that the White Lotus requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Tangerine, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Tangerine measuring at 62 grams and the White Lotus at 56 grams. This means that regardless of the actuation force, the typing experience when pressing the keys all the way down will be similar for both switches.

Travel distance

The TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel a consistent distance of 4 mm as the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a satisfactory tactile experience with their identical travel distances, ensuring a similar typing experience for users.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is known for its high-pitched clack when typing. This provides a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which can be preferred by those who don't enjoy richer and bassier sound profiles. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as having a low-pitched sound. This means that it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the White Lotus tactile switch has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

When it comes to feel, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is praised for its frictionless and buttery typing experience. These switches offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing the sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. With a polished finish, the Tangerine switch provides a sleek and refined typing experience, thanks to the materials used and/or factory lubing. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is known for being easy to press. It offers gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, the White Lotus tactile switch provides a responsive and low-impact typing feel. It can be described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The qualities of the White Lotus tactile switch fall within a safe and approachable middle ground. The tactile feedback is subtle, maintaining a light typing feel, and the sound signature is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.

In conclusion, the TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Tangerine switch has a high-pitched sound, while the White Lotus switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. In terms of feel, the Tangerine switch provides a frictionless, buttery, and polished typing experience, while the White Lotus switch offers an easy-to-press, mild, and subtle typing feel. These switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their needs. However, it's worth mentioning that the ultimate result may vary depending on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Both switches promise to enhance the typing experience and provide a satisfying feel, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable typing journey.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth typing experience and a high level of (medium) bottom out force, the TKC Tangerine linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are renowned for their incredibly smooth feel, making every keystroke a pleasure. The use of UHWMPE housing sets them apart in the world of mechanical switches, and they offer a distinct high-pitched clack sound when typing. On the other hand, if you value a low level of (medium-light) bottom out force and prefer a light tactile option, the Durock White Lotus switch is the perfect fit. These switches provide a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making them suitable for both work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects. Notably, they offer a low-pitched sound profile, adding a more bass-heavy and mellow tone to your typing experience. Ultimately, your preference between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize smoothness and medium-bottom out force (Tangerine) or gentle resistance and medium-light bottom out force (White Lotus).

Mentioned in this article

TKC Tangerine Linear

$6.30 per 10

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Durock White Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more