Gateron Ink Red vs. Durock Mamba

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Mamba are two options worth considering. The Gateron Ink Red is a linear switch that stands out for its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. With a satisfyingly smooth feel and a crispy and clacky sound profile, typing on the Ink Reds is effortless. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba, a linear switch paying homage to Kobe Bryant, offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. Both switches fall under the 'Neutral' and 'Polished' categories, but the Mamba also boasts a 'Thocky' characteristic. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your keyboard setup.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Red Linear

Durock Mamba Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$6.50

$5.17 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Mamba have distinct differences in their housing materials. The Ink Red features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which gives it a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This results in a clacky and satisfying thin sound. On the other hand, the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a sound profile that is pleasant and bright. While it is not particularly sharp, it provides a unique auditory experience. Despite these differences, both switches deliver satisfying sound profiles, albeit with varying tonal qualities.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Ink Red and the Mamba also demonstrate contrasting properties. The Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. This creates a satisfying clacky sound when bottoming out keys. Conversely, the Mamba incorporates a POM bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile. This offers a distinct auditory experience, making keystrokes feel more substantial and providing a quieter sound when compared to the Ink Red. Once again, while the two switches have different characteristics, they both deliver a pleasing sound profile with their respective bottom housings.

Due to the differences in top and bottom housings, the Ink Red and the Mamba offer unique qualities when it comes to sound and feel. When pressing down on the switches, the bottom housing's properties become more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and overall feel of the keystroke. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when letting go of a key. While the Ink Red and the Mamba offer different qualities in this regard, both switches deliver satisfying tactile responses and sound profiles. Therefore, regardless of the housing materials used, users can expect a similar level of performance and enjoyment from these switches.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, we find some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Ink Red is known to be 45 grams, providing a medium level of resistance to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the actuation force of the Mamba is unavailable, making it uncertain how much force is required to activate the switch. Both switches, however, share the same bottom out force of 60 grams, resulting in a similar typing experience when fully pressed.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force, like the Ink Red, as it allows for extended typing sessions without fatigue. This feature is beneficial for those using the keyboard at work or engaging in long gaming sessions. In contrast, others may prefer a heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing experience, opting for switches with heavier forces like the Mamba, assuming it requires more force to trigger a keystroke.

While the actuation force of the Mamba remains unknown, individuals seeking a switch with a medium bottom out force can achieve comparable results with both switches. Overall, the lighter Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the potentially heavier Durock Mamba linear switch offer different experiences in terms of actuation force, catering to the preferences and needs of different users.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm, making it a more traditional option. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5mm. This makes the Mamba a better choice for gamers looking for faster response times, as the shorter travel distance allows for quicker keystrokes. However, for those who prefer a more pronounced and satisfying key press, the Ink Red's longer travel distance may be the preferred option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Mamba switches both fall under the category of a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user or if you plan to use the switches at home or work. However, the Ink Red has an additional descriptor of being "chirpy," which means it has a little squeak to them, setting it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Mamba has a descriptor of being "thocky," which indicates that it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be affected by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, both the Ink Red and Mamba switches offer a gentle typing experience. The Ink Red is described as silky, indicating an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. It is also characterized as mild, offering a more approachable feel to most users as its qualities fall in a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, it is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Mamba is also categorized as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with smooth and refined key travel.

Based on the available information, the Gateron Ink Red and Durock Mamba switches have some subjective differences in their sound profiles. The Ink Red has a crispy and clacky sound profile, possibly due to its chirpy characteristic, while the Mamba offers a rich and creamy auditory experience, likely due to its thocky trait. However, both switches share similarities in their feel, with attributes like being mild and polished, ensuring a smooth and approachable typing experience for most users. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.

Conclusion

In closing, when it comes to choosing between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, it ultimately boils down to personal preference and typing style. If you have a lighter typing style and prefer a switch with lower actuation force, the Ink Red is the way to go. These switches are satisfyingly smooth, produce a crispy and clacky sound profile, and require less effort to type on. On the other hand, if you enjoy a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Mamba switches would be a great choice. Both switches have a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or work. In terms of feel, the Ink Red offers a silky, mild, and polished typing experience, while the Mamba provides a mild and polished feel. Ultimately, it's important to consider your own preferences and the qualities that matter most to you when selecting between these two switches.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Durock Mamba Linear

$6.50

$5.17 per 10

Learn more