Durock Mamba vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Bluish White are two popular options to consider. The Mamba is a linear switch that provides a smooth and gliding typing sensation, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mamba switches are well-regarded for their typing comfort. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches offer a 'medium tactile' feel, giving you a satisfying level of resistance when pressed. Additionally, they are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Muted', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', these switches provide a precise and comfortable typing experience. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your specific needs.

By the numbers

Durock Mamba Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.50

$5.17 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

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Housing materials

The Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Bluish White differ significantly in their choice of housing materials. The Mamba utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, while the Silent Bluish White opts for a polycarbonate top housing. The blend used in the Mamba's top housing creates a pleasant and bright sound profile, although not particularly sharp. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Bluish White produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting purposes.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Mamba features a POM bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile. POM housings are known for creating a unique sound that is pleasing to the ear. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is a classic choice. Nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, thereby creating a duller and rounder sound. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile.

It is important to note that when a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the bottom-out sound and feel and the sound when a key is released. Therefore, in the case of the Mamba, the top housing's blend would significantly impact the sound upon key release, while the bottom POM housing would contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel. Similarly, the Silent Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing would dictate the sound when a key is released, while the nylon bottom housing would affect the bottom-out sound. In this regard, both switches offer the potential for a unique and satisfying typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we find some notable differences. The Mamba's actuation force remains unknown, while the Silent Bluish White requires a gentle 42 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Mamba requires a slightly heavier 60 grams, while the Silent Bluish White registers at a lighter 50 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Bluish White switch would be the better choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it allows for smooth and effortless typing, making it suitable for prolonged periods of use, such as in a work environment or during lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial, tactile feedback may lean towards the Mamba switch. Although the actuation force remains unavailable, the 60-gram bottom out force offers a slightly heavier push feel, resulting in a more robust typing experience.

It is important to consider weight when selecting a switch, as it impacts typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer lighter switches can enjoy extended typing sessions without experiencing fatigue, while those who favor heavier forces can savor the satisfaction of a stronger keystroke. Regardless of the choice, both the Mamba and the Silent Bluish White switches provide distinct benefits to cater to the preferences of differing users.

Travel distance

The Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch have a similar travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. In terms of their travel distance, both switches will provide similar results, ensuring a consistent typing experience. Therefore, there is no notable difference in the travel distance between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch as they share the same 3.5 mm measurement.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Mamba is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound when pressed and released, making it suitable for a variety of settings, whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or at work. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is designed to be as quiet as possible. It falls under the category of muted switches, which means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. This makes the Silent Bluish White switch perfect for environments like offices or shared living spaces where noise reduction is important.

In terms of feel, the Durock Mamba offers a mild and polished typing experience. It falls within the safe, middle-ground zone, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is also described as having a mild and polished feel. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switch falls under the category of stepped switches, which means it has two stages of tactile feedback. This provides a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.

Overall, both switches offer enjoyable typing experiences, although with distinct characteristics. The Durock Mamba provides a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy sound, offering a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch offers a satisfying level of resistance with a medium tactile feel, while having a focus on minimizing noise production. Whether you prefer a more neutral and smooth typing experience or a quieter typing experience with mild tactile feedback, both switches can provide similar results in terms of overall satisfaction. The choice between them depends on personal preferences for sound, feel, and the specific environment in which they will be used.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a gliding typing sensation, the Durock Mamba would be a great choice for you. Its rich and creamy auditory experience, along with its neutral or thocky sound profile, makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether at home or in a work environment. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a light bottom out force and a satisfying level of resistance, the TTC Silent Bluish White would be a better option. Despite its medium tactility, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. Their buttery and mild feel, along with the muted sound profile, provide a seamless and comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Bluish White depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as the specific sound and feel characteristics you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Mamba Linear

$6.50

$5.17 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more