Durock Mamba vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Mamba and PH Studio Milk Tea are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Mamba switch is celebrated for its smooth and gliding typing sensation, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch provides a distinct auditory blend with a balance between high-pitched sound and muted essence, designed for prolonged typing sessions with its accessible bottom-out weight of 43.5g. While the Mamba switch is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', 'Polished', the Milk Tea switch falls under 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Resonant'. Both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
37.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
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
Ly
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Mamba and the PH Studio Milk Tea both use POM material for their bottom housing, which creates a pleasing and unique sound profile on the deeper side that is relatively more muted. This means that both switches will have a similar overall sound experience when pressed, delivering a more subdued and deeper sound compared to other switches on the market. However, the Mamba also features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which offers a brighter sound profile that is not particularly sharp. In contrast, the Milk Tea utilizes a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Mamba.
The difference in top housing material between the Durock Mamba and the PH Studio Milk Tea results in varying sound profiles when pressing down on the switches. The blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Mamba's top housing produces a brighter sound that is not as sharp, while the POM top housing of the Milk Tea creates a deeper and more muted sound. Additionally, the qualities of the bottom housing material are felt when bottoming out a key, impacting the overall sound and feel of the switch. The top housing, on the other hand, influences the sound when releasing a key, offering a distinctive auditory experience for each switch.
In conclusion, the Durock Mamba and the PH Studio Milk Tea differ in their housing materials, resulting in unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. While both switches use POM for their bottom housing, providing a similar muted and deep sound, the Mamba's additional Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a brighter sound compared to the Milk Tea's POM top housing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound experience when typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences. The Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium typing feel without specifying an actuation force. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, making it a lighter option overall. The difference in actuation force means that the Milk Tea switch may feel more responsive and easier to type on compared to the Mamba switch. However, the Mamba switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches boils down to personal preference - whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Milk Tea has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mamba. Both fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for quicker response times. However, if you prefer a slightly more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, you may lean towards the Milk Tea switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and whether you prioritize a slightly quicker response time or a bit more key press depth.
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 PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.
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 switch provides a neutral and thocky typing experience, with a moderate sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch offers a unique blend of clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound characteristics, providing a sharp and crisp auditory experience that stands out. Depending on your preferences and surroundings, you can choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style.
In terms of feel, both switches exhibit polished qualities, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Durock Mamba switch is described as mild, providing a gentle and approachable typing sensation that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Meanwhile, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch is also silky, delivering an exceptionally smooth typing feel with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Whether you prefer a more gentle or sleek typing experience, both switches cater to these preferences with their polished and silky attributes.
Overall, the Durock Mamba and PH Studio Milk Tea switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mamba switch provides a neutral and thocky sound profile with a mild and polished typing feel, the Milk Tea switch offers a blend of clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sounds with a silky and polished typing experience. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, you can choose the switch that best suits your typing style and typing needs. Ultimately, both switches are designed to enhance your typing experience and provide a satisfying tactile and auditory journey.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force and a neutral or thocky sound profile, the Mamba switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force and a clacky, high-pitched, marbly, or resonant sound profile, along with a polished and silky typing feel, the Milk Tea switch could be more suitable for your typing style. Consider the type of typing experience you prefer and the sound profile that resonates with you the most when making your decision between these two unique linear switches.
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