Durock Anubis vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Anubis and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options stand out: the Durock Anubis and the TTC Silent Frozen. The Anubis is a tactile switch, renowned for its deep and resonant sound profile, providing a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with each keystroke. Unlike most other tactile switches, the Anubis has a more pronounced bump, creating a sharp tactility that adds a new level of intensity to typing. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen is a linear switch that excels in its extremely quiet sound profile. It offers a pillowy type feel and is super smooth, making it ideal for individuals seeking a quiet and seamless typing experience. Both switches have distinctive characteristics that make them appealing options, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch is best suited for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial 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
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The Durock Anubis and the TTC Silent Frozen differ in their housing materials, with the Anubis featuring a nylon top and bottom housing while the Silent Frozen has a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The nylon top housing of the Anubis provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Frozen creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Frozen is particularly advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for more vibrant lighting effects. Overall, the choice between the two depends on the desired sound characteristics and aesthetic preferences.
Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Anubis and the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Frozen contribute to the sound and feel of the switch when pressed down. The nylon bottom housing of the Anubis, being softer and more sound-absorbent, leads to a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Frozen, being stiffer, creates a sharper and higher-pitched bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the choice between the two relies on personal preference for the specific sound and tactile feedback when pressing the keys. Additionally, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Silent Frozen complements its top housing, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
In terms of letting go of a key, the impact of the housing material becomes more evident in the top housing. The nylon top housing of the Anubis results in a sound and feel when releasing a key that is deeper and fuller, fitting well with the overall sound profile of the switch. Conversely, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Frozen offers a crisper and more pronounced sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both types of housing materials provide distinct characteristics to the typing experience, and the choice between the Anubis and the Silent Frozen will depend on one's preferences for the sound and tactile feedback during both key presses and releases.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, there are notable differences. The Anubis has an actuation force that is unavailable in terms of grams, while the Silent Frozen requires 39 grams to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Anubis has a heavier weight, requiring 65 grams to fully press down, whereas the Silent Frozen has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that the Anubis provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, whereas the Silent Frozen offers a lighter touch for smoother and quicker keystrokes. Those who prefer a keyboard that is lighter for longer typing sessions or extended gaming may prefer the Silent Frozen due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. However, if a more robust and tactile typing experience is desired, the Anubis would be the better choice. The differing actuation and bottom out forces of these switches cater to individual preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Durock Anubis tactile switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Generally, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional, while a 3.5 mm travel distance is on the shallower side. However, shorter travel distances have become more prevalent, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances to feel too abrupt, so if you prefer a more substantial key press experience, the Durock Anubis tactile switch with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences and how you value the travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
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
The Durock Anubis tactile switch is best known for its deep and resonant sound profile, providing a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with every keystroke. The bump on the Anubis switch is more pronounced compared to other tactile switches, delivering a sharp tactility that adds intensity to each key press. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is characterized by its extremely quiet sound profile. It produces a thocky sound, similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock," when the key is pressed and released. The Silent Frozen switch also has a low-pitched and muted sound, making it ideal for those looking to minimize keyboard noise.
In terms of feel, the Anubis switch is described as accented and polished. It falls into the category of medium tactile switches, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch is described as creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished. It offers a smooth and buttery typing experience, gliding effortlessly with each keystroke. The buttery switch provides a seamless and uniform typing sensation, while the feathery switch requires minimal finger exertion, reducing fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Anubis switch has a deep and resonant sound with a pronounced tactile bump, suitable for those seeking a more intense and assertive typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch produces a quiet thocky sound, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a silent typing environment. Both switches offer a smooth and polished feel, with the Anubis switch delivering a sharper tactility while the Silent Frozen switch provides a creamy and effortless glide. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual's preferences for sound, feel, and noise level.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a sharp tactility, the Durock Anubis tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a satisfying and assertive tactile feedback with a more pronounced bump than most other tactile switches, providing a new level of intensity to every keystroke. Additionally, the Anubis has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various settings, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and whether you plan to use it at home or work. On the other hand, if you value an extremely quiet sound profile and a super smooth and pillowy feel, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is the better choice. These switches are characterized by their thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed. They also have a low-pitched and muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In terms of feel, the Anubis is accented and polished, resulting in a medium tactile switch with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Meanwhile, the Silent Frozen switch is creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Anubis tactile switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch comes down to your preference for tactility, sound profile, and typing feel.
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