Zuoce Lavender vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Zuoce Lavender and Durock Mamba are two mechanical keyboard switches that both offer a unique typing experience. The Lavender switch is praised for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend, and provides a crisp and clacky sound signature that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Mamba switch, a tribute to Kobe Bryant, offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience that is sure to delight users. The Lavender switch is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Clacky', while the Mamba switch falls under 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished'. When considering which switch to choose, it ultimately depends on your personal preference and typing style. 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
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Zuoce Lavender and the Durock Mamba switches both offer unique sound profiles, with the Lavender's POM top housing providing a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend which offers a brighter sound. The bottom housings of both switches are made of POM, providing a similar deep and muted sound profile. However, the top housings of the switches play a significant role in the overall sound experience, with the Lavender's POM top housing creating a deeper sound when releasing a key compared to the Mamba's blend which adds a bit of brightness to the sound.
While the bottom housings of the Zuoce Lavender and Durock Mamba switches share the same material, the top housings offer different characteristics that affect the overall sound profile. The POM top housing of the Lavender creates a unique and pleasing sound that is deep and muted, while the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing of the Mamba provides a brighter sound. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more prominent in the bottom-out sound and feel, whereas the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.
In terms of housing materials, the Zuoce Lavender and Durock Mamba switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different top housing materials. The POM top housing of the Lavender produces a deeper and more muted sound, while the Mamba's blend top housing adds a bit of brightness to the sound. However, both switches share a POM bottom housing, which contributes to the overall deep and muted sound profile. The differences in top housing materials highlight the importance of the top housing in influencing the sound characteristics of a switch, showcasing how variations in materials can impact the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, it is clear that the Lavender is lighter with an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Mamba is heavier with an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The difference in weight between the two switches could result in a different typing experience for users. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Lavender more suitable for extended typing sessions, while users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may prefer the heavier weight of the Mamba. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience provided by each switch.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their fast response times. However, the Lavender switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Mamba switch. Those who prefer a more abrupt key press may opt for the Lavender switch, while those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may lean towards the Mamba switch. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, providing a smooth and precise typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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
In terms of sound, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch is known for its crisp and clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a rich and creamy sound profile, described as thocky, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. While the Lavender switch emphasizes a percussive and bright sound, the Mamba switch focuses on a more mellow and deep tone. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences, with the Lavender being more clacky and the Mamba being more thocky, catering to different sound preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch stands out for its easy-to-press nature, offering a light actuation force that enhances typing efficiency and comfort. With minimal resistance during key presses, the Lavender switch ensures a smooth and low-impact typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch is described as mild and polished, providing a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users. The polished finish of the Mamba switch contributes to a sleek and refined typing experience, with smooth key travel and reduced friction. Both switches offer distinct tactile qualities, with the Lavender focusing on easy pressing and the Mamba offering a polished and mild typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Zuoce Lavender and Durock Mamba linear switches present unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lavender switch showcases a clacky sound profile and an easy-to-press feel, while the Mamba switch features a thocky sound signature and a mild, polished typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between the crisp and bright characteristics of the Lavender switch or the deep and smooth qualities of the Mamba switch. Ultimately, both switches offer satisfying typing experiences, with the Lavender emphasizing sharpness and ease of pressing, and the Mamba focusing on richness and polish.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a smooth and clacky typing experience with a lower actuation force, the Lavender switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gliding and creamy typing sensation with a slightly higher actuation force, the Mamba switch may be more suitable. Additionally, if you enjoy a sharp and snappy sound, the Lavender switch would be ideal, whereas if you appreciate a neutral sound profile with a deep and satisfying thocky sound, the Mamba switch is a strong contender. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to what feels best for you as you type away on your mechanical keyboard.
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