HMX Jammy vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Jammy and the Durock Mamba both offer unique characteristics worth exploring. The HMX Jammy, a linear switch, is renowned for its softer and glittery nylon housings, providing a medium-weight typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba, also a linear switch, pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and offers a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy auditory experience. While the Jammy is best known for its gentle typing feel, the Mamba stands out for its polished and thocky characteristics. 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
57g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the Durock Mamba both offer unique sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Jammy utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deep and fuller sound profile that is more rounded and dull. In contrast, the Mamba features a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, providing a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. The POM bottom housing of the Mamba contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile, further distinguishing it from the Jammy's nylon bottom housing.
While the top housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the Durock Mamba offer distinct sound profiles, the bottom housing materials also play a significant role in the overall switch sound and feel. For the Jammy, the nylon bottom housing enhances the deeper and fuller sound profile experienced during typing by absorbing more sound due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Mamba contributes to a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. The combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch influences the overall typing experience and sound feedback.
Ultimately, the housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the Durock Mamba create a balance between sound quality and tactile feedback during typing. The nylon top and bottom housing of the Jammy work together to provide a consistent and rounded sound profile, while the unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Mamba's top housing offers a slightly brighter sound experience. Both switches showcase how different housing materials can impact the typing experience, with the bottom housing affecting bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key. Despite their differences, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience through their distinct housing materials.
Weight
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 57 grams compared to the Durock Mamba linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Jammy at 63 grams and the Mamba at 60 grams. This means that while the Jammy may offer a slightly lighter initial push, both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the force needed to fully press down on the key. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, the Jammy may be the better choice, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Mamba. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. The Jammy offers slightly more depth with its 3.7 mm travel distance compared to the Mamba's 3.5 mm distance. For those who prefer a bit more feedback and a feeling of solidity when typing, the Jammy may be the better option. On the other hand, the Mamba's slightly shorter travel distance may appeal to those seeking even quicker key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Jammy linear switch offers a muted and deeply satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch provides a rich and creamy auditory experience with a gliding typing sensation. The Jammy switch's sound qualities are not explicitly described, while the Mamba switch is known for its neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. The Mamba switch also offers a thocky sound, producing a deep and satisfying noise when pressed.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Jammy linear switch offers a typing experience that is described as softer due to its medium-weight and glittery nylon housings; however, specific feel descriptors are not provided. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch is known for providing a mild and gentle typing experience, suitable for most users. The Mamba switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, both the HMX Jammy and Durock Mamba linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Jammy switch focuses on providing a muted and deeply satisfying typing experience, the Mamba switch offers a rich and creamy auditory experience with a gentle and polished feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing needs, either switch can provide a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience. If you prefer a switch with similar qualities to either the Jammy or Mamba, you can expect to achieve comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a softer and muted typing experience with a glittery nylon housing, the Jammy may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience, the Mamba switch, with its tribute to Kobe Bryant, might be more suitable. Pay attention to the sound and feel descriptions as well, as they can further guide your decision based on your preferences. Ultimately, it's important to test out both switches to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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