Durock Anubis vs. Gateron CAP Anniversary
An in-depth look at the Durock Anubis and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Anubis and Gateron CAP Anniversary stand out as popular options in the market. The Anubis, a tactile switch, is highly regarded for its deep and resonant sound profile, offering a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with a pronounced bump that adds intensity to every keystroke. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary, a linear switch, features a unique CAP structure that results in exceptionally smooth keystrokes, with aerodynamically designed stems that reduce resistance and enhance smoothness. Each switch offers its own strengths and characteristics to consider when selecting the right one for your keyboard. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Anubis and Gateron CAP Anniversary both offer unique characteristics in their housing materials. The Anubis features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound-absorbing properties. In contrast, the CAP Anniversary utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile because of the stiffness of polycarbonate. While the Anubis offers a more rounded sound, the CAP Anniversary delivers a clearer and more resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
Both the Anubis and CAP Anniversary switches use nylon for their bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller yet more satisfying typing experience. Despite both switches sharing the same bottom housing material, the difference in their top housings significantly impacts the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the Anubis emphasizes a deeper and rounder sound, the CAP Anniversary focuses on a sharper and more defined sound, thanks to its polycarbonate top housing.
In conclusion, the choice between the Durock Anubis and Gateron CAP Anniversary ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Anubis offers a softer and more muffled typing experience with its nylon top housing, ideal for those looking for a deeper and fuller sound. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary provides a crisper and more resonant sound with its polycarbonate top housing, perfect for users who prefer a sharper and clearer sound. Despite their differences, both switches deliver high-quality performance and can provide a satisfactory typing experience depending on individual preferences.
Weight
The Durock Anubis tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch both have a bottom out force of 65 grams, making them both medium-heavy switches in terms of how much force is needed to fully press the key. However, the Anubis has an actuation force of None grams, making it a lighter switch in terms of initial force required to trigger a keystroke compared to the CAP Anniversary, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. This means that the CAP Anniversary may provide a slightly more substantial typing experience due to the higher actuation force, while the Anubis may be preferred by those looking for a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. Overall, both switches offer a similar bottom out force, but the Anubis is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the CAP Anniversary.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When typing or gaming with either of these switches, you can expect a consistent feel and actuation point due to their identical travel distance. This means that whether you choose the Anubis or the CAP Anniversary, you'll get a similar typing experience in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This can result in a satisfying typing experience with either switch, as the travel distance plays a significant role in the overall feel and feedback of a mechanical keyboard. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will likely come down to other factors such as tactile vs linear feedback and sound profile.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
The Durock Anubis comes in at $8.00 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Anubis tactile switch offers a deep and resonant sound profile with a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback, while the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch's sound profile is not specified. The unique design of the Anubis provides a more pronounced bump, resulting in a sharp tactility that intensifies each keystroke. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary's aerodynamic stem design aims to reduce resistance and enhance smoothness, but without specific sound characteristics provided, the typing experience may vary based on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Anubis is described as both accented and polished, offering a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming but still noticeable, along with a smooth and refined finish for reduced friction and sleek key travel. In contrast, the CAP Anniversary switch is noted for being snappy, creamy, and polished. With super responsiveness and a smooth, buttery typing experience, as well as a sleek finish, the CAP Anniversary provides a lively and silky sensation during keystrokes.
Overall, the Durock Anubis tactile switch emphasizes a deep sound profile and a robust tactile feedback with a pronounced bump for an intense typing experience. The Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, however, focuses on smoothness and aerodynamics for a responsive and creamy typing feel with minimal wobble. Depending on personal preference, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience for newcomers to explore.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a pronounced bump and deep sound profile, the Durock Anubis would be the ideal choice for you. The Anubis offers a satisfying and assertive typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch that provides exceptionally smooth keystrokes due to its unique CAP structure, then the Gateron CAP Anniversary would be the better option for you. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and a smooth typing experience, the CAP Anniversary offers stability and minimal wobble for an elevated typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your preference for tactility and smoothness in keystrokes.
Mentioned in this article
