Durock Mamba vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing options between stellar performers like the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, both of which belong to the linear switch category but offer distinct experiences. The Durock Mamba, a tribute to the legendary Kobe Bryant, is celebrated for its gliding typing sensation and rich, creamy auditory feedback. This switch is characterized by its 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished' attributes, making it an excellent choice for users prioritizing a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a medium-weight feel, crafted from all-POM material, and known for its ability to deliver a thocky sound profile alongside exceptional smoothness, all while breaking the price barrier without sacrificing quality. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that appeal to different user preferences—whether you seek a nostalgic homage in the Mamba or a budget-friendly yet high-quality option in the Smoothie. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
48g
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
3.70 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
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, notable distinctions arise that can influence the overall sound profile of each switch. The Durock Mamba features a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that leans towards a brighter, albeit pleasant tone. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie employs a POM top housing that produces a sound that is deeper and more muted, offering a contrasting auditory experience. This variance suggests that a user may experience different tonal qualities when typing or gaming, with the Mamba likely to produce sharper, more pronounced sounds and the Sea Salt Smoothie leaning towards a more mellow sonic delivery.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches utilize POM material, which is known for its ability to create a pleasing and distinct sound. The Durock Mamba’s bottom housing produces a deeper, relatively muted sound — characteristics that mirror the Sea Salt Smoothie’s bottom housing. Since both switches share the same housing material in this part, their feedback when bottoming out is similarly rich and resonant. Consequently, users can expect a consistent tactile experience when pressing down on either switch, with the shared POM material contributing to a familiar feel.
In summary, while the Durock Mamba and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie share POM in their bottom housings, they differ in the top housing materials, leading to divergent sound profiles during use. Users may appreciate the Mamba for its brighter and sharper sound, while the Sea Salt Smoothie’s muted tones can be favored for a deeper auditory experience. Both switches will offer a satisfying bottom-out feel due to their shared POM bottom design, allowing users to enjoy a cohesive and enjoyable typing experience, although the overall sound may vary depending on the top housing material choice.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Mamba switch features an unknown actuation force but has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a medium resistance when fully pressed down. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a defined actuation force of 48 grams, which makes it the lighter option, while its bottom out force remains unknown. This difference in actuation force suggests that users may find the Sea Salt Smoothie more suitable for long typing sessions due to less finger strain. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Mamba may appeal to those who prefer a substantial feel while typing, as it provides more resistance when fully pressed. Overall, while the Mamba offers a heavier bottoming experience, the Sea Salt Smoothie allows for a lighter actuation, catering to different preferences in typing feel and comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it's evident that they differ slightly, with the Mamba featuring a travel distance of 3.5 mm and the Sea Salt Smoothie at 3.7 mm. This means that the Mamba offers a shorter travel distance, which could appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times for more efficient gameplay. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its longer travel distance, may be more suitable for those who prefer a deeper, more tactile feel when typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference: if you value responsiveness, the Mamba is the better option, whereas if you favor a more pronounced typing experience, the Sea Salt Smoothie would be the way to go.
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 Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 delivers a nuanced auditory experience characterized by a neutral and thocky profile. The neutral aspect ensures that the sound it produces during typing is versatile enough for different environments, making it suitable whether you're using it at home or in an office. The thocky sound adds a rich, satisfying depth to each key press, akin to a soft thud that enhances the tactile experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie’s sound profile is less defined in this context, leaving its auditory characteristics somewhat open-ended and dependent on additional factors like board and keycap choice.
In terms of feel, the Mamba switch excels with its mild and polished attributes. The mild feel offers a gentle typing experience that most users will find comfortable, making it approachable for both beginners and seasoned typists alike. The polished nature of the switch contributes to a refined and smooth key travel, significantly reducing friction and enhancing overall typing fluidity. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie is not explicitly described in terms of its feel, leaving open questions regarding whether it matches the Mamba’s smoothness or feel quality.
In summary, the Durock Mamba linear switch stands out with its rich thocky sound and smooth, polished feel, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of typing preferences. Meanwhile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is anticipated to offer good quality but lacks specific detailing in sound and feel, leaving its overall qualities more ambiguous. If you enjoy the Mamba’s combination of smoothness and gratifying sound, you may find similar results with the Smoothie, albeit with less certainty regarding its performance metrics.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely hinges on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile. If you are looking for a balanced switch that offers a medium actuation force and a rich auditory experience, the Mamba would be an excellent choice. Its mild and polished feel makes it suitable for both typing and gaming, providing a gliding sensation with every keystroke—a tribute that also resonates well for fans of Kobe Bryant. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a switch that promises exceptional smoothness with a distinctive thocky sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie could be the way to go. Although its bottom out force is unknown, its medium-weight construction is designed for those who want a more tactile response without sacrificing sound quality. Ultimately, if you value a harmonious balance between sound and feel, go for the Mamba; but if you desire a thicker auditory feedback and aren't as concerned with the specifics of its weight, the Sea Salt Smoothie will deliver a satisfying typing experience. Your keyboard is an extension of your style, so choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences.
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