Durock Anubis vs. Kailh NovelKeys Cream
An in-depth look at the Durock Anubis and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Are you in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch that will elevate your typing experience? Look no further than the Durock Anubis, a tactile switch, and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream, a linear switch. These two switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Anubis is renowned for its deep and resonant sound profile, delivering a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with each keystroke. Its pronounced bump creates an intense level of tactility, perfect for those who enjoy a sharp and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Cream provides a heftier linear typing feel. With a slightly deeper sound profile, these switches offer a buttery, low-pitched, textured, resonant, and invigorating typing experience. Both switches have their own unique qualities, but let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision about the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Anubis and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches, namely nylon and POM, respectively, offer distinct characteristics that affect the sound profile and overall typing experience. Both nylon and POM are classic switch housing materials that elicit a deeper and fuller sound compared to harder plastics. However, nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, POM housings create a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted.
In terms of their bottom housings, both the Anubis and the NovelKeys Cream switches utilize nylon, which contributes to their similar deep and full sound profiles. The relatively softer nature of nylon helps absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out the keys. The impact of the bottom housing is more prominent in this aspect, as it directly influences the sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
However, the top housings of these switches differ, with the Anubis featuring nylon and the NovelKeys Cream utilizing POM. Nylon top housing on the Anubis switch contributes to its deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and creating a slightly muted typewriter-like sound when releasing the keys. Conversely, the POM top housing on the NovelKeys Cream switch provides a distinctive sound that is also on the deeper side but relatively more muted. The top housing has a greater impact on the sound when letting go of a key, adding to the overall acoustic experience of typing.
While the Anubis and NovelKeys Cream switches differ in their top housing materials, both yield comparable results in terms of sound and feel. The nylon top housing of the Anubis and the POM top housing of the NovelKeys Cream create similar deep and pleasing sound profiles that enhance the typing experience. Additionally, both switches benefit from the nylon bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sound and feel when bottoming out the keys. Thus, whether you opt for the Durock Anubis or the Kailh NovelKeys Cream, you can expect a satisfying and immersive acoustic experience while typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, there are some distinct differences to consider. The Anubis tactile switch has an actuation force that is unavailable in grams, making it difficult to directly compare. However, its bottom out force is 65 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Cream linear switch has a lower actuation force of 55 grams but a slightly higher bottom out force of 70 grams, also categorizing it as medium-heavy.
In terms of weight, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and typing habits. Some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force as it allows them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue, making it suitable for extended work or gaming sessions. For these individuals, the NovelKeys Cream switch may be a better option with its slightly lighter actuation force.
On the contrary, others may prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. They may find satisfaction in a switch with a heavier actuation force, providing a tactile and responsive feedback with every keystroke. In this case, the Durock Anubis switch would be a more suitable choice with its unavailable but potentially heavier actuation force.
In terms of bottoming out, both switches have a medium-heavy pressure requirement. This means that regardless of the actuation force, typing on either switch would result in a similar bottoming out experience, with the same level of force needed to fully press the key.
Overall, the Durock Anubis switch appears to be the heavier of the two options, while the NovelKeys Cream switch offers a slightly lighter actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between these switches depends on individual preferences for typing experience and desired actuation force.
Travel distance
The Durock Anubis tactile switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel. The similarity in travel distance ensures that the user will get similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience. Both switches offer a satisfying amount of travel for users who prefer longer keypresses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Cream for $6.25.
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 known for its deep and resonant sound profile. This switch offers a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with every keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a sharp tactility that brings intensity to their typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch has a fairly deep sound profile, although not overly so. It provides a low-pitched and resonant sound profile, creating a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a clean and sharp sound. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, with the Anubis providing a more pronounced sound and the Cream offering a deeper and immersive auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the Durock Anubis tactile switch is described as accented and polished. This means that it provides a medium level of tactility, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch is described as buttery, textured, and invigorating. This indicates a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with uniform and effortless typing sensation. The switch also offers pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Anubis tactile switch stands out for its deep and resonant sound profile, sharp tactility, and polished feel. It provides satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with a medium level of tactility, along with a smooth and refined finish for reduced friction. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch offers a heftier linear typing experience with a fairly deep sound profile. It provides a low-pitched and resonant sound with a buttery keystroke experience, textured feel, and invigorating feedback. While both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, they provide similar results in terms of providing an immersive typing sensation. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding the level of tactility and sound profile desired.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a tactile switch with a deep and resonant sound profile, as well as a sharp tactility, the Durock Anubis switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a medium-heavy actuation force that is suitable for most purposes. Additionally, the Anubis switch is known for its accented tactility and polished finish, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, and a smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a heftier typing experience, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch would be the better option for you. Despite being a linear switch, it offers a bottom out force of 70 grams, which is medium-heavy and can provide a satisfying typing experience. The Cream switch is described as having a low-pitched and resonant sound profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone. It also offers a buttery and invigorating feel, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with pronounced feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so it is important to consider your preferences and requirements before making a decision.
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