TTC Honey vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the TTC Honey and the Durock Mamba, both being linear switches. The Honey is renowned for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a delightful typing experience. Additionally, these switches emit a deep and pleasant sound profile, adding to the overall satisfaction. On the other hand, the Mamba pays homage to the late Kobe Bryant and offers a gliding typing sensation that is both enjoyable and effortless. Its rich and creamy auditory experience further enhances the typing pleasure. The Honey is characterized by a range of descriptors such as 'subdued', 'creamy', 'frictionless', 'buttery', 'subtle', and 'polished'. In contrast, the Mamba is categorized as 'neutral', 'mild', 'thocky', and 'polished'. While these generalities provide a glimpse into the unique features of each switch, let's dive deeper to help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Durock Mamba differ significantly. The Honey features a polycarbonate top housing, which gives it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. In contrast, the Mamba utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is pleasant and slightly brighter. While not as sharp as polycarbonate, the blend offers its own distinct sound characteristics.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Honey once again employs polycarbonate. This creates a similar sound profile to the top housing – sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper. The stiffness of polycarbonate plays a crucial role in enhancing the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Aesthetically, the clear housing is an indicator of the presence of polycarbonate. Conversely, the Mamba utilizes POM (polyoxymethylene) for its bottom housing, resulting in an incredibly pleasing and unique sound profile. The sound produced by the POM housing is deeper and relatively more muted compared to polycarbonate, offering a different auditory experience.
The difference in housing materials between the Honey and the Mamba means that the qualities brought by each material are divided between the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on a key, the bottom housing's qualities are more evident – impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the Honey's bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound. Meanwhile, the top housing's material has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. In the Honey, the polycarbonate top housing enhances the clarity, resonance, and higher-pitched sound when a key is let go. Similarly, the Mamba's unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE produces a pleasant and slightly brighter sound upon key release. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that can enhance the typing or gaming experience depending on the user's preference.
Weight
When it comes to the actuation force and bottom out force, there are some notable differences between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch. The Honey has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, meaning a gentle push is enough to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Mamba's actuation force is unknown, making it difficult to compare to the Honey. However, the Honey still maintains a lighter actuation force overall.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Honey requires 50 grams of force to fully press down the key, providing a satisfying typing experience without being too heavy. In contrast, the Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, giving it a slightly heavier feel. For individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Mamba may be the better option due to its heavier bottom out force.
Considering weight as an important factor, the Honey switch is lighter overall, making it suitable for individuals who prefer longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Honey switch allow for comfortable and effortless keystrokes. Alternatively, the Mamba switch provides a slightly heavier push feel, which may be preferred by those seeking a more solid and substantial typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Durock Mamba linear switch. However, it is important to note that the actuation force of the Mamba is unknown, making a direct comparison difficult. Depending on personal preferences, the lighter and smoother typing experience of the Honey switch may be favored for longer typing sessions, while the Mamba switch's heavier bottom out force may be preferred for those seeking a more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard switch. In this case, we are comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch. The Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Mamba has a travel distance of 3.5 mm.
Looking at these numbers, it is clear that the Honey has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mamba. This means that when you press down on a key with the Honey switch, you will feel a slighter greater distance compared to the Mamba switch. However, it is worth noting that both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to more traditional options.
For gamers or individuals who prioritize faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Mamba may be more appealing. The quicker actuation of the Mamba switch can lead to increased responsiveness during gaming sessions. On the other hand, some users may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. For those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing, the Honey switch's longer travel distance may be preferable.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences and the specific use case. Those looking for a quicker and more responsive typing experience may opt for the Mamba switch, while individuals who prefer a deeper and more satisfying keystroke may lean towards the Honey switch.
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 Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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 subjective qualities of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch can be compared in terms of sound and feel.
In terms of sound, the Honey switch is best described as producing a subdued sound when pressed. It offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches, providing a dampened but not completely silent experience. On the other hand, the Mamba switch is described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate sound level. Additionally, it is also described as thocky, which means it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound that resembles a deep "thud" or a soft "knock". The Mamba switch's sound profile leans towards more pronounced and satisfying auditory feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Honey switch is known for its smooth and creamy typing experience. These switches feel buttery and frictionless, allowing for a silky sensation when typing. They effortlessly melt into each keystroke, providing a seamless and uniform typing experience. They can also have a subtle and polished feel, meaning they offer a gentle resistance and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Mamba switch is described as having a mild and polished feel. It offers a more gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics, making it approachable for most users.
Considering all the available information, the Honey switch excels in providing a smooth and creamy typing experience with a deep and pleasant sound profile. Its subdued sound and creamy feel make it suitable for those who prefer a more subtle and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Mamba switch offers a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy auditory experience. Its neutral sound profile with a touch of thock, combined with a mild and polished feel, makes it a versatile choice for various typing preferences. While the Honey switch leans towards a smoother and more subdued experience, the Mamba switch offers a slightly more pronounced tactile and auditory feedback. However, both switches provide a creamy and polished feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light switch with a smooth and creamy feel, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches offer a light typing experience that is effortless and easy on the fingers. They provide a silky sensation, allowing your fingers to glide across the keys with ease. Additionally, the Honey switches feature a deep and pleasant sound profile that adds to the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience, the Durock Mamba linear switch would be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches offer a medium typing feel that is approachable to most users. The Mamba switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, thanks to their polished finish and reduced friction. They offer a creamy sound profile, with a deep "thocky" sound when pressed and released.
Ultimately, your choice between the TTC Honey and Durock Mamba switches will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth and creamy feel, go for the Honey. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience, go for the Mamba. Both switches offer unique qualities and can enhance your typing experience, so consider what aspects are most important to you before making a decision.
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