Durock White Lotus vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Durock White Lotus and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options stand out: the Durock White Lotus and the SP-Star Yanyu. The Durock White Lotus is a tactile switch that has gained a strong reputation for its exquisite light tactile feedback tailored for discerning typists. It strikes the perfect balance, making it an ideal choice for those who engage in intensive work or extended typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus features a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and captivating RGB lighting effects that can add a mesmerizing glow to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu is a linear switch designed for a more delicate typing experience, making it perfect for individuals spending prolonged periods typing. The Yanyu switch stands out with its crisp sound profile, thanks to its unique material blend. While these general pointers provide a brief overview of each switch's standout features, let's dive deeper beyond generalities so that you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Durock White Lotus and the SP-Star Yanyu both feature unique and premium housing materials that contribute to their overall performance. While the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, the Yanyu incorporates a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend. Both of these blends offer distinct sound profiles, with the White Lotus leaning towards a deeper and fuller sound, while the Yanyu provides a pleasant, slightly brighter tone. In terms of feel, the modified PC and UPE blend of the White Lotus delivers a unique and premium sensation, while the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend of the Yanyu offers a more comfortable and pleasant typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the White Lotus relies on classic nylon material, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon's relatively softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience. On the other hand, the Yanyu combines Polymer nylon with UHMWPE in its bottom housing, creating a unique blend. This blend contributes to a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans slightly towards the brighter side. Consequently, when using the White Lotus switches, you can expect a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound, while the Yanyu switches will provide a slightly brighter sound when bottoming out.
It is essential to consider the impact of housing materials on different aspects of switch usage. With the White Lotus, the qualities of the bottom housing, such as the deeper sound and feel, will be more pronounced during key presses. Conversely, the top housing will have a more prominent effect on the sound produced when releasing a key. Similarly, the Yanyu's top housing will play a significant role in the sound profile when letting go of a key, while the bottom housing will contribute to the overall bottom-out sound and feel. Despite their differences, both switches ensure a satisfying typing experience, albeit with variations in sound profiles and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, there are notable differences. The White Lotus has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, making it a medium-light switch. On the other hand, the Yanyu's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 43 grams, categorizing it as a light switch.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Yanyu switch would be a suitable option, as it requires less force to bottom out. This lighter weight can enhance comfort during extended typing sessions or lengthy gaming sessions. In contrast, some individuals appreciate a stronger push feel for a more significant typing experience. For these users, the White Lotus switch would be more suitable due to its slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force.
It is worth noting that if the actuation forces of the two switches are the same or unknown, their results may be similar in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, the bottom out force of the White Lotus is still higher, providing a slightly more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a firmer touch.
Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding the weight and feel of key presses. Some individuals may prioritize a lighter touch for extended periods of typing, while others may prefer a heavier force for a more tactile and satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same tactile feedback and overall feel in terms of travel distance. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer similar results. Despite their differences in tactile feedback and switch type, the travel distance remains consistent for both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock White Lotus switches are described as having a low-pitched sound profile. This means that these switches produce a deeper and mellower tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This makes them suitable for those who prefer a bass-heavy sound when typing. Additionally, the White Lotus switches are also described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound profile that can work well in various settings, whether it be at home or work.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switches are also described as having a neutral sound profile. Similar to the White Lotus switches, they offer a moderate sound that suits most intents and purposes. However, the Yanyu switches are additionally described as having a "thocky" sound. This means that the Yanyu switches produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock." This sound profile can be particularly enjoyable for those who prefer a more pronounced typing sound.
Moving on to the feel, the White Lotus switches are known for their easy-to-press qualities. These switches offer gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. The light actuation force of the White Lotus switches makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, these switches enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel. Additionally, the White Lotus switches are also described as having a mild and subtle feel, which means they provide a gentle typing experience without being too featherlight or too resistant. This makes them approachable and comfortable for most typists.
Similarly, the Yanyu switches are also described as having a mild and subtle feel. They offer a gentle resistance that is not too featherlight, maintaining a light typing feel. This makes them suitable for comfortable and extended typing sessions, such as for gaming, school, or work. Additionally, the Yanyu switches are also described as feathery, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require minimal exertion from the fingers. This light actuation force reduces finger fatigue and makes typing comfortable for long periods of time. Furthermore, the Yanyu switches are also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through the materials used and/or factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering all the available information, the Durock White Lotus switches offer a delicate tactility and a serene typing experience, making them ideal for work and extended typing sessions. They have a low-pitched sound profile that produces a bass-heavy and mellow tone, along with a neutral sound profile suitable for various environments. The White Lotus switches have an easy-to-press and mild feel, providing a responsive and low-impact typing experience. They offer a gentle resistance and a light typing feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switches also provide a delicate typing experience, with a crisp sound profile and a neutral sound profile suitable for most purposes. The Yanyu switches have a mild and subtle feel, offering a gentle resistance and a light typing feel. They are exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue, and feature a polished finish for smooth key travel. Although they differ in certain qualities, both switches aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. Therefore, if you are seeking similar results in terms of sound and feel, you can expect comparable outcomes when using either the Durock White Lotus tactile switches or the SP-Star Yanyu linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light tactile switch that strikes the perfect balance between tactility and typing comfort, the Durock White Lotus would be a great choice. With its medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams, it offers a delicate tactility that is ideal for work and extended typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column that allows for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. Furthermore, the White Lotus has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone without being too overwhelming. In terms of feel, the White Lotus is easy-to-press and offers a responsive and low-impact typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and more delicate typing experience or tend to type for long periods of time, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch would be a suitable option for you. With a bottom out force of 43 grams, the Yanyu switch requires little exertion from your fingers, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It also has a mild and subtle feel, offering a gentle typing experience without being too feather-light. Additionally, the Yanyu switch has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of environments - whether you are a beginner or advanced typist, or if you plan to use it at home or work. Moreover, the Yanyu has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, both the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have their unique advantages. The White Lotus excels in providing a delicate tactility and vibrant RGB lighting effects, while the Yanyu offers a lighter and more delicate typing experience with a polished finish. Consider your preferences for typing comfort, sound profile, and aesthetic features to determine which switch suits your needs best.
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