Durock POM Linear (Piano) vs Kinetic Labs Salmon
The Durock POM Linear (Piano) and the Kinetic Labs Salmon are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Durock POM Linear (Piano) is lighter to actuate (48g versus 63.5g); stock they sound different: poppy, resonant versus smooth salmon linear; the Kinetic Labs Salmon costs less per switch ($0.55 versus $0.60).
- Cheaper per switchKinetic Labs Salmon$0.55 versus $0.60
- Lubed from the factoryKinetic Labs Salmonusable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Durock POM Linear (Piano) if
- you want a switch popular for thocky builds.
- you want a switch popular for lubing projects.
- you want a lighter keystroke (48g).
Choose the Kinetic Labs Salmon if
- you want a switch popular for JWK linears.
- you want a switch popular for customs.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (63.5g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
Durock POM Linear (Piano) vs Kinetic Labs Salmon, spec by spec
| Durock POM Linear (Piano) | Kinetic Labs Salmon | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 48g | 63.5g |
| Bottom-out force | 63.5g | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | n/a |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM blend | POM |
| Top housing | POM blend | PC |
| Bottom housing | POM blend | nylon |
| Spring | n/a | 63.5g |
| Factory lube | none | light (stronger spec) |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.60 | $0.55 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | poppy, resonant | smooth salmon linear |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
49% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Durock POM Linear (Piano); 94% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kinetic Labs Salmon.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Durock POM Linear (Piano); 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kinetic Labs Salmon.
83% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Durock POM Linear (Piano); 70% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kinetic Labs Salmon.
Where to buy the Durock POM Linear (Piano)
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kinetic Labs Salmon
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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