Durock Mamba vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Mamba and Everglide Rice Pudding offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Durock Mamba, which pays tribute to the legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant, is celebrated for its smooth, linear actuation and a rich auditory profile that delivers a gliding typing sensation with a thocky sound. This switch is perfect for those who appreciate a neutral yet enjoyable typing experience that balances performance with pleasure. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches feature a hall effect mechanism, providing a unique combination of smooth operation and a satisfying deep sound. This switch not only enhances typing precision but also ensures compatibility with Wooting's advanced keyboards, making it a versatile choice for gaming and performance-focused enthusiasts. Ultimately, your choice between these switches may depend on your typing style and desired sound profile; 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
38g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Everglide Rice Pudding, there are notable differences in both their sound profiles and the materials used. The Mamba features a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, which is designed to produce a pleasant sound profile that is brighter and less sharp than some alternatives. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that results in a sharper, crisper sound profile. This contrast highlights the impact of the materials on the overall auditory experience, with the polycarbonate's stiffer nature enhancing the clarity and resonance of the sound it produces.
When we turn our attention to the bottom housing materials, we see that both switches opt for different approaches yet arrive at similar auditory outcomes. The Mamba employs a POM (polyoxymethylene) bottom housing known for its deep and muted sound characteristic, while the Rice Pudding uses a nylon bottom housing that is traditionally known for creating a deeper and fuller sound. Although the types of plastics differ—one being sturdier (POM) and the other softer (nylon)—both configurations are designed to ensure a satisfying sound experience while typing. Each material absorbs sound differently, resulting in a unique interaction between the top and bottom housing materials that can ultimately lead to pleasing feedback when typing.
In conclusion, while the Durock Mamba and the Everglide Rice Pudding utilize different materials in their housing construction, they effectively complement each other to create distinct sound profiles that cater to various preferences. The Mamba's polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend combined with POM offers a brighter yet muted experience, while the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate and nylon configuration provides a sharper and deeper experience. Even with these variances, users can achieve overall satisfactory sound profiles due to the unique characteristics each material brings to the table, highlighting how thoughtful design in keyboard switches can allow for diverse auditory experiences while typing.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Mamba linear switch to the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a noticeable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Mamba's actuation force is unknown, while its bottom out force measures at 60 grams, indicating it has a medium weight feel. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch boasts a light actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This makes the Rice Pudding significantly lighter overall, ideal for those who prefer a less taxing typing experience during extended use, such as in long gaming sessions or work-related tasks. The Mamba, being the heavier option with its higher bottom out force, would cater to users who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Therefore, for a well-rounded choice, individuals should consider their personal preferences regarding typing feel and the potential fatigue associated with each force level.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch share identical travel distances, both measuring 3.5 mm. As a result, users of either switch can expect a similar feel and performance when pressing down a key, providing a consistent tactile experience. This equivalence in travel distance means that regardless of which switch you choose, the actuation will occur at the same depth, making them both suitable for users seeking a uniform key press sensation.
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 Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 comparing the sound of the Durock Mamba linear switch to the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Mamba switches stand out with their neutral and thocky characteristics. The neutral profile indicates a moderate actuation force and sound output that caters well to a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced typists, making them suitable for diverse environments, whether at home or in an office. The thocky nature of the Mamba adds a rich, deep auditory experience, reminiscent of a satisfying thud, which many enthusiasts appreciate for a more pronounced auditory feedback. On the other hand, while the specific sound profile of the Rice Pudding switches isn’t detailed, they are described as producing a deep sound. This might imply a more resonant auditory quality akin to the Mamba, but without further context, it's hard to make a direct comparison.
In terms of feel, the Mamba switches excel with their mild and polished characteristics, offering a gentle yet satisfying typing experience. The mildness of the Mamba implies a balanced interaction that is approachable for a wide range of users, while the polished aspect indicates an exceptionally smooth key travel, likely achieved through quality materials or effective lubrication, which minimizes friction for a seamless typing experience. The Rice Pudding switches, lacking specific descriptors in feel, do not offer similar detailed feedback. However, given that the Mamba provides a known smooth and refined feel, it is possible that the Rice Pudding switches could also have respectable feel qualities, especially considering their performance focus.
In conclusion, while the Durock Mamba linear switch shines in both sound and feel with its thocky, neutral auditory profile and mild, polished typing experience, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch presents an intriguing alternative, particularly for those looking for performance and versatility. Though exact comparisons on sound and feel for the Rice Pudding are lacking, its deep sound and compatibility with innovative keyboards suggest it could provide a satisfying typing experience as well. Ultimately, both switches may resonate well with users looking for a well-rounded and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience, albeit each with its unique qualities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your choice between Durock Mamba linear switches and Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you appreciate a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, the Mamba switches provide a refined typing experience characterized by a gliding sensation and a rich, thocky sound that many users find satisfying. This makes them an excellent choice for both home and work environments, especially if you seek a versatile switch that balances sound and feel effectively. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, the Rice Pudding switches deliver smooth operation with a deep sound, offering a more precise and versatile typing experience, particularly if you intend to use them with Wooting keyboards. Their combination of lightness and smoothness makes them ideal for fast-paced typing or gaming scenarios where responsiveness is crucial. Ultimately, considered together, both switches offer compelling benefits, so your decision should reflect the typing experience you aspire to cultivate, whether that's the creamy auditory pleasure of the Mamba or the satisfying precision of the Rice Pudding.
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