Durock Mamba vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Mamba and Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique features for different preferences. The Durock Mamba is a linear switch with a gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, making it ideal for those who enjoy a smooth and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is also a linear switch known for its lightning-fast actuation and feather-light touch, appealing to users who prefer a short travel distance and unparalleled smoothness. Both switches have their own benefits and characteristics that make them stand out, 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique sound profiles, with the Mamba featuring a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing while the Smoothie Silver has a POM top housing. The Mamba's blend provides a brighter sound profile that is pleasant, while the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted sound. Despite this difference, both switches provide a pleasing and unique sound that enhances the overall typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Mamba and the Smoothie Silver utilize POM materials, creating a similar deep and muted sound profile. This consistency in housing material highlights the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing plays a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience, impacting how the switch feels when fully pressed down. This shared quality between the two switches ensures that users will have a consistent typing experience when using either the Mamba or the Smoothie Silver.
While the top and bottom housing materials may differ between the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, the impact of these materials on the overall sound and feel of the switch remains consistent. Both switches prioritize creating a unique and pleasing sound profile for users, with each housing material contributing to the overall typing experience in different ways. Whether it's the brighter sound profile of the Mamba's blend or the deeper sound of the Smoothie Silver's POM housing, users can expect a high-quality typing experience from either switch. Ultimately, the housing materials of these switches demonstrate the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating a premium typing experience for users.
Weight
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium resistance level when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. While the actuation force of the Mamba is not specified, it is clear that the Smoothie Silver is the lighter option between the two. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Smoothie Silver may be the preferred choice. However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Mamba with its medium bottom out force may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it can be seen that the Mamba has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5mm compared to the Smoothie Silver's 3.4mm. While the difference may seem minimal, it can have an impact on the typing or gaming experience. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. Choosing the Mamba with its 3.5mm travel distance may provide a slightly more pronounced key press feel, while the Smoothie Silver with its 3.4mm travel distance may offer a slightly quicker actuation. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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
The Durock Mamba linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a thocky characteristic, providing a satisfying auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness, creating a deep and rich sound when pressed. While the Mamba switch provides a gliding typing sensation and a creamy sound, the Smoothie Silver switch features a short travel distance for fast actuation and a feather-light touch.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Mamba switch offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in a gentle and smooth key travel. This switch is designed to be approachable to most users, with a safe middle-ground feel that is comfortable for extended typing sessions. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch.
In conclusion, both the Durock Mamba and Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mamba switch provides a neutral sound profile and a polished feel, making it a versatile option for various typing preferences. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound profile and a lightning-fast actuation, catering to users who prefer a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience, with different characteristics to suit individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you appreciate a medium bottom out force and enjoy a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy sound, then the Mamba switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a short travel distance for quick actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound.
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