Durock Anubis vs. KTT Mallo
An in-depth look at the Durock Anubis and the KTT Mallo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Durock Anubis and the KTT Mallo mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find that they both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Anubis is known for its deep and resonant sound profile, providing a highly tactile experience with a pronounced bump that adds intensity to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Mallo embodies subtlety and finesse with a gentle tactility and neutral sound signature that strikes a balanced chord for typists. While the Anubis offers a more assertive feel, the Mallo provides a softer touch for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Anubis and the KTT Mallo, one can see that they both feature nylon bottom housings. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon housings. The use of nylon in both switches' bottom housings suggests that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
On the other hand, the top housings of the Anubis and Mallo differ in material, with the Anubis featuring a nylon top housing and the Mallo featuring a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the Anubis continues to provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Mallo creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a clearer and more resonant sound profile, especially when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. This contrast in top housing materials results in a noticeable difference in sound when pressing down and releasing a key between the two switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the Durock Anubis and the KTT Mallo play a significant role in the sound profiles they produce. While both switches share nylon bottom housings that contribute to a deeper and fuller sound experience, the difference in top housing materials sets them apart in terms of sound characteristics. The Anubis's nylon top housing yields a duller and rounder sound, while the Mallo's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper and crisper sound. Users looking for a specific sound profile can take these differences into consideration when choosing between the two switches.
Weight
The Durock Anubis tactile switch and KTT Mallo tactile switch have noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Anubis has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Mallo has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light. The actuation force for both switches is unknown, but overall, the Anubis is on the heavier side while the Mallo is lighter. For those looking for a switch with a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Mallo may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, the Anubis may appeal to users who enjoy a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Anubis and KTT Mallo tactile switches both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance being traveled as you move from the top to the bottom. This means that the typing experience and tactile feedback provided by both switches will be similar in terms of travel distance. Therefore, whether you choose the Durock Anubis or the KTT Mallo, you can expect to get comparable results in terms of how far the switch travels when actuated.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
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, both the Durock Anubis and KTT Mallo switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they produce a moderate sound that is suitable for most environments. The Anubis offers a more pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a deeper and more resonant sound profile that can provide a satisfying and intense typing experience. On the other hand, the Mallo provides a more subdued sound signature, offering a gentle tactility that is just noticeable enough to provide feedback without being overpowering. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of the level of tactility and sound intensity desired.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Anubis switches are described as having an accented tactile feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, the switches have a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the KTT Mallo switches offer a feathery and mild typing experience that is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from your fingers. The switches also have a stepped feel, providing a more mild tactile feedback with a two-stage keystroke sensation. Once again, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the level of tactility and typing feel desired.
Overall, both the Durock Anubis and KTT Mallo switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Anubis provides a more intense and assertive typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump and deep sound profile, while the Mallo offers a gentler and more subtle tactility with a neutral sound signature. Depending on whether you prefer a sharper tactility and resonant sound or a softer tactility and subdued sound, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different boards and with various keycaps can help determine which one best suits your individual typing preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Anubis tactile switch or the KTT Mallo tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences in typing experience. If you enjoy a more pronounced and assertive tactile feedback with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Anubis may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler tactility with a medium-light bottom out force and a more versatile and subtle sound profile, the Mallo could be more suited to your typing style. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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