Durock Anubis vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Durock Anubis and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introduction:
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, it's essential to find the perfect fit for your typing preferences. Two popular options to consider are the Durock Anubis, a tactile switch, and the TTC Honey, a linear switch. Each switch offers unique characteristics and benefits that cater to different needs. The Anubis is well-known for its deep and resonant sound profile, providing a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with every keystroke. Its pronounced bump adds an intense level of tactility, making it perfect for those who prefer a sharp and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the Honey switch offers a smooth and creamy feel, delivering a pleasant typing experience. With a deep and pleasant sound profile, this switch offers a frictionless, buttery feel that is both subtle and polished. While these general descriptions can give you some pointers, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch suits your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
The Durock Anubis and the TTC Honey keyboards utilize different housing materials for both their top and bottom housings. The Anubis features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The nylon material is softer and has better sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Honey employs a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that offers a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, being translucent, the polycarbonate top housing is advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Anubis adopts a nylon material, similar to its top housing. This choice ensures a consistent and cohesive sound profile throughout the keyboard. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to the material's softness and superior sound absorption. On the other hand, the Honey incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, which further contributes to its sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. As with the top housing, using clear polycarbonate for the bottom housing is visually pleasing, especially when RGB lighting is involved.
It is important to note that if a switch employs different top and bottom housing materials, the qualities of each housing will impact different aspects of the keyboard's sound and feel. When pressing down on the switch, you will experience the characteristics of the bottom housing, which has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and overall feel. On the contrary, the top housing will primarily affect the sound when you release a key. Thus, the combination of top and bottom housing materials contributes to the overall typing experience and sound profile of a keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, there are significant differences to note. Firstly, the Anubis has an actuation force that is unknown while the Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams, making it lighter. For those who prefer a lighter touch while typing or gaming, the Honey switch would be a suitable choice. The Anubis, however, has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that for individuals who desire a more substantial push feel when typing, the Anubis would provide a satisfying experience. It is worth mentioning that both switches have different actuation and bottom out forces, so the results may not be identical. Weight is an essential factor to consider since lighter switches allow for prolonged typing sessions, making them ideal for work or longer gaming periods. Conversely, switches with heavier forces provide a robust typing experience that some users find preferable.
Travel distance
The Durock Anubis tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a traditional distance. On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Honey switch has a slightly shallower travel distance compared to the Anubis switch.
Typically, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered to be the most traditional and commonly found in switches. However, there has been a growing trend towards shorter travel distances, especially among gamers who value faster response times. In this case, the TTC Honey switch would be more suitable for those looking for a shorter travel distance and quicker key presses.
On the other hand, some individuals prefer a deeper key press and find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. For those who prefer a more hearty depth to their typing experience, the Durock Anubis switch with its longer travel distance would be a better choice.
In conclusion, while the Durock Anubis tactile switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm and the TTC Honey linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, both switches offer their own advantages depending on individual preferences. Whether it's a traditional or a shorter travel distance that suits your needs, these switches provide options to cater to a variety of typing preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Anubis tactile switch is best described as having a deep and resonant sound profile. It offers a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with every keystroke, thanks to its pronounced bump. This makes it perfect for those who prefer a sharp tactility that brings intensity to their typing. On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch is known for having a deep and pleasant sound profile, but it is more subdued compared to most switches. While not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature when compared to others. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Anubis tactile switch can be considered as an accented switch. This means that it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. It falls into the category of "medium tactile" switches, offering a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Anubis switch is described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch is creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. This is possibly due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. The Honey switch is also described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Similarly, it is known for its buttery and subtle feel, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Both switches have a polished finish, ensuring a sleek and pleasant typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Anubis switch has a deep and resonant sound profile with a pronounced bump for a sharp tactility. It provides accented tactility, a smooth and refined typing experience, and a reduced friction. On the other hand, the Honey switch offers a more subdued sound profile and a creamy, buttery feel with minimal resistance and a seamless typing sensation. While both switches provide satisfying typing experiences with their respective sound and feel profiles, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a deep and assertive tactile switch, the Anubis is a great choice. If you prefer a smooth and buttery linear switch, the Honey is an excellent option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with a more pronounced bump, the Durock Anubis tactile switch is the ideal choice for you. This switch offers a deep and resonant sound profile, bringing a new level of intensity to every keystroke. Additionally, the Anubis switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a solid and sturdy typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and creamy typing experience with a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, the TTC Honey linear switch is the better option. These switches feature a deep and pleasant sound profile, providing a subdued and subtle sound signature. Furthermore, the Honey switch offers various feel options, including creamy, frictionless, buttery, and subtle, allowing you to choose the one that suits your preference. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Anubis and TTC Honey switches will depend on your specific preferences for tactility, sound, and typing feel.
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