Durock Mamba vs. Huano Matcha Latte V2
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Mamba and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 both stand out as exceptional linear options, catering to different tastes and preferences among typists and gamers alike. The Mamba, celebrated as a tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, offers a unique typing sensation characterized by a gliding motion and a rich, creamy auditory experience. Its classification as 'Neutral,' 'Mild,' 'Thocky,' and 'Polished' showcases its versatility and suitability for various typing styles. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 is renowned for its smooth and subtle operation, striking a perfect balance between lightness and a solid bottom-out feel. With generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, these switches provide a premium linear performance delivered at an accessible price point. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba's rich auditory experience and the Matcha Latte V2's refined smoothness will depend on your personal preferences and typing style; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Mamba and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 both utilize distinct materials for their top housings, reflecting different design philosophies and ultimately affecting the switches' sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Mamba features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE, which creates a sound that's pleasantly bright without being overly sharp. This versatility offers a balance that many users appreciate, as it contributes to a soundscape that can enhance the typing experience while maintaining clarity. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 employs POK material (polyketone), known for its lower friction coefficient and superior wear resistance. Although the Matcha Latte V2's sound profile aims for smoothness and clackiness, the POK's inherent characteristics translate to a different feel, emphasizing low friction and strong durability.
Examining the bottom housings reveals a different contrast. The Mamba utilizes POM, which is renowned for producing a deeper and more muted sound profile. This material inherently absorbs sound, contributing to a unique auditory experience that many typists seek. Conversely, the Matcha Latte V2's use of nylon offers a classic sound, echoing the deeper, fuller tones produced by the POM of the Mamba. While both materials aim for a satisfying auditory experience, they derive their tonal qualities from different properties—POM's density promoting a muted resonance, while nylon offers a softer and rounder sound.
When combined, the unique top and bottom housing materials of these switches contribute to a rich tactile experience that can feel quite distinct despite their divergent compositions. The sound and feel differ based on whether you press down a switch or release it, where the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and tactile feedback, while the top housing impacts the sound as the key is released. Typists seeking a similar typing result may find that setting aside the individual characteristics of each switch’s housing can lead to a comparable performance. Both switches strive for an enjoyable experience, albeit through various materials and design choices that cater to different user preferences.
Weight
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch exhibit distinct characteristics when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. The Mamba switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered medium, but its actuation force is unknown. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 has a lighter, defined actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to actuate a keypress compared to the Mamba switch. However, the Matcha Latte V2 does not have a specified bottom out force. This discrepancy indicates that the Matcha Latte V2 may offer a lighter feel during use, which can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the Mamba provides a moderate resistance when pressing down fully. Overall, if one prefers a lighter typing experience, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 would be the better choice, while those who enjoy a heftier feedback may lean towards the Durock Mamba, despite the lack of specific actuation details.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Huano Matcha Latte V2 comes in slightly longer at 3.6 mm. This means that the Mamba offers a shorter travel distance by 0.1 mm compared to the Matcha Latte V2, making it the more responsive option for those who favor quicker actuation, particularly beneficial for gamers who thrive on swift key presses. On the other hand, the Matcha Latte V2, with its deeper travel distance, may provide a more substantial keypress feel, appealing to users who prefer a less abrupt experience when typing or gaming. Thus, the choice between these two switches boils down to personal preference: if you seek a sharper response, the Durock Mamba is the way to go; if you appreciate a fuller depth, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 would be more suitable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Huano Matcha Latte V2 comes in at $3.99 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Mamba linear switch stands out with a neutral sound profile and a thocky character. The neutral quality means it strikes a balance that works well for various environments, whether for gaming or typing at work, which is especially appealing to newcomers seeking versatility. The thocky sound enhances the auditory feedback with a deep, satisfying thud, making each keystroke feel rewarding. As for the Huano Matcha Latte V2, its sound characteristics are not detailed, but it’s important to note that all switches’ auditory experiences can be influenced by the specific keyboard build and keycap choices.
In terms of feel, the Mamba offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild descriptor indicates that it provides a gentle typing sensation that’s approachable for both novices and experienced typists, while the polished aspect contributes to a smooth, refined key travel. Users can expect a high level of comfort with reduced friction due to the quality of the materials and factory lubrication. The details about the feel of the Matcha Latte V2 switches are not provided, leaving us to consider the Mamba as more defined in this regard.
Overall, the Durock Mamba linear switch presents a rich auditory profile and a smooth, gentle typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those new to mechanical keyboards who may appreciate a balance of sound and feel. The Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch’s characteristics are less defined, but its smooth and subtle experience suggests it should still deliver satisfactory performance. For your typing needs, the Mamba may provide a more vivid and articulated experience, while the Matcha Latte V2 could offer similar smoothness; however, the latter’s specific sensory qualities remain to be fully explored.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch, the best choice depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you appreciate a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and a rich auditory experience infused with thocky sound profiles, the Durock Mamba may be your ideal pick. Its polished and mild characteristics provide a smooth and gentle typing experience, making it suitable for both newcomers and experienced typists who enjoy a more substantial feedback when typing. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more lightweight and subtle typing experience, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 would be a great option. Known for its generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, this switch offers a smooth and refined feel without the heaviness, making it ideal for fast typists or gamers who prioritize speed and precision. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your personal taste in sound and feel, along with how you plan to use your keyboard—whether for work, casual typing, or gaming.
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