Durock Mamba vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Mamba and the KTT Mint are two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Mamba, a tribute to Kobe Bryant, is known for its gliding typing sensation and rich creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mamba provides a satisfying linear switch option for typists. On the other hand, the Mint is renowned for its satisfyingly smooth typing feel, characterized by a poppy thockiness and light and fleeting type feel. Categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Mint presents a different linear switch experience. Choosing between the two will depend on personal preferences and typing preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Mamba and the KTT Mint differ significantly in terms of their housing materials. The Mamba features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend creates a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile, offering a sound that is neither too sharp nor dull. On the other hand, the Mint utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. If you are looking for a switch with RGB lighting, the Mint's polycarbonate top housing is ideal due to its translucency.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Mamba employs POM as its material of choice. This leads to an incredibly pleasing sound with a deeper and more muted profile. Conversely, the Mint utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a classic material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softness allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound compared to harder plastics.
In terms of functionality, the impact of the different housing materials is noticeable. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when letting go of a key. Although the Mamba and the Mint have varying housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance your typing experience in different ways.
Overall, while there are noticeable differences between the Durock Mamba and the KTT Mint in terms of housing materials, both switches provide excellent sound profiles. Each possesses its own distinctive qualities, ensuring an immersive typing experience tailored to personal preferences. Whether you prefer the slightly brighter and softer sound of the Mamba or the sharper and clearer sound of the Mint, both options guarantee a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Mamba is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare it to the Mint, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. However, it is safe to assume that both switches have a similar actuation force as they both fall within the medium range.
In terms of bottom out force, the Mamba requires 60 grams of force, while the Mint requires 53 grams. This means that the Mamba provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed down compared to the Mint, which is considered medium-light.
Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch, as it can affect typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer a lighter switch may find the Mint more suitable for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, individuals who desire a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Mamba.
Overall, while the actuation force for the Mamba is unavailable, both switches offer a medium actuation force. However, the Mamba has a heavier bottom out force compared to the Mint, making it a slightly weightier option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, it is clear that there is a difference between the two. The Mamba has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Mint has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mamba offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Mint provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keystroke. Both of these switches deviate from the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, showing that shorter travel distances are becoming more prevalent in the market. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness or depth in their 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 KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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 offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. It provides a deep and satisfying "thocky" sound when pressed and released, resembling a deep "thud" or a soft "knock". On the other hand, the KTT Mint linear switch produces a low-pitched sound, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Similar to the Mamba, the Mint also has a neutral sound profile, allowing for versatility in its usage. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Durock Mamba and KTT Mint linear switches offer a mild typing experience, providing a gentle and approachable feel. Their qualities all fall within a safe and balanced zone, making them suitable for most individuals. Additionally, both switches are described as polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The combination of a mild typing experience and polished finish contributes to an enjoyable and comfortable feel when typing on these switches.
Based on the available information, the Durock Mamba and KTT Mint linear switches offer similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches provide a neutral sound profile, with the Mamba having a "thocky" characteristic and the Mint featuring a low-pitched tone. Additionally, both switches offer a mild typing experience and a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing feel. Both switches are suitable for a wide range of users, whether they are beginners or advanced typists. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference and any additional factors to consider, such as availability and pricing.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force, both the Durock Mamba and KTT Mint would be suitable options. The Mamba is known for its gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, while the Mint offers a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a poppy thockiness.
In terms of sound, the Mamba provides a neutral sound profile with a deep and satisfying "thock" when pressed and released. On the other hand, the Mint offers a low-pitched and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches, while still maintaining a neutral sound profile.
When it comes to feel, both the Mamba and Mint offer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. They both have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and KTT Mint will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer a gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, the Mamba would be the better choice for you. However, if you enjoy a smooth typing experience with a poppy thockiness, the Mint would be a great option. Consider your desired sound profile and feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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