Durock Mamba vs. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3)
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two options that are worth considering are the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3). These switches offer a linear typing experience, but they have their own unique characteristics that set them apart. The Mamba is renowned for its gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, thanks to its neutral, mild, thocky, and polished attributes. On the other hand, the Milky Yellow Pro is a classic budget switch that embodies smoothness and buttery goodness. Its low, "thocky" sound and satisfyingly thick resistance make it suitable for both gaming and typing. Despite their similarities, there are differences to explore beyond these generalities, helping you find the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
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 Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) both feature nylon as their top housing material. However, the Mamba utilizes a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE, while the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) uses a standard nylon material. The difference in materials results in contrasting sound profiles. The Mamba's blend offers a bright and pleasant sound, while the Milky Yellow Pro's nylon creates a deeper and fuller sound. Both materials have their unique qualities, but the Mamba's blend leans towards a brighter tone, whereas the Milky Yellow Pro's nylon produces a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Mamba employs a POM material, which contributes to an incredibly pleasing and deep sound profile. The sound produced by the Mamba is relatively muted compared to the fuller sound created by the Milky Yellow Pro's nylon bottom housing. This is because POM is known for its ability to create a more subdued sound. On the other hand, the Milky Yellow Pro's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its softness, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch have different impacts on the overall sound and feel. The qualities of the bottom housing contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while the Mamba and the Milky Yellow Pro may have distinct housing materials, the overall typing experience may still yield similar results in terms of the sound and feel, given the influence of both the top and bottom housings on the switch's performance.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch, it is clear that the Mumba is lighter in terms of actuation force. Unfortunately, the exact weight of the Mamba's actuation force is unavailable, so it's difficult to compare it precisely to the Milky Yellow Pro's 50-gram actuation force. However, both switches can be considered medium in terms of their bottom out force. The Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Milky Yellow Pro has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. Therefore, if weight is a significant factor for typing comfort and duration, the Mamba may be more desirable due to its generally lighter force requirements for both actuation and bottoming out. However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Milky Yellow Pro's slightly heavier bottom out force may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, providing users with options that cater to their individual preferences and typing needs.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mamba. A travel distance of 4.0mm is considered the most traditional, while a travel distance of 3.0mm is the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Mamba with its 3.5 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys, the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) with its 4 mm travel distance would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) has an MSRP of $2.33 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) for $2.30.
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 Durock Mamba is a neutral switch with a moderate sound profile. It offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. It is also characterized as thocky, producing a deep and satisfying "thud" or "knock" sound. Both switches offer a pleasing auditory experience, with the Mamba being more neutral and the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) having a bass-heavy and mellow tone.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Mamba is described as providing a mild and polished typing experience. It offers a gentle typing experience and a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is described as buttery and textured. It provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation, while also offering noticeable friction when pressed. This can be preferred by some users who enjoy a textured feel while typing. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Mamba being more mild and polished, and the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) being buttery and textured.
In conclusion, both the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) offer their own unique qualities. The Mamba provides a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, while the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) embodies smoothness and buttery goodness in both sound and feel. The Mamba is more neutral in sound and mild and polished in feel, while the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a buttery and textured feel. Depending on personal preference, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience. It is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch also depend on other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the Durock Mamba linear switch, you can expect a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. These switches are best known for their gliding typing sensation and creamy auditory experience. The Mamba offers a neutral sound profile, suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings. In terms of feel, the Mamba provides a mild and polished typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch also has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. These switches are known for their smoothness and buttery goodness, making them a popular choice among budget enthusiasts. With its low, "thocky" sound, the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) offers a satisfying auditory experience with a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. In terms of feel, these switches deliver a buttery and textured typing sensation, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience.
Ultimately, when choosing between the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switches, it comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a more neutral sound and a polished typing experience with reduced friction, the Mamba might be the better choice for you. However, if you are looking for a switch with a satisfyingly thick resistance, a bassy and low-pitched sound, and a buttery and textured feel, the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) could be the ideal option. Consider your typing preferences and requirements to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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