Durock Mamba vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Mamba and the Wuque Studio WS Brown. The Mamba, a linear switch, is highly regarded for its smooth, gliding typing sensation and its rich, creamy auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown, a tactile switch, offers a harmonious blend of familiarity and innovation. With a medium-light actuation force, these switches strike a balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during long sessions. Typing on the WS Brown switches provides a delightful auditory experience cherished by enthusiasts, thanks to its familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Mamba and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in their housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. The Mamba utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, while the WS Brown uses pure nylon. This difference in materials results in variations in their sound profiles. The Mamba's blend provides a pleasant and bright sound, which is not particularly sharp. On the other hand, the WS Brown's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Mamba incorporates a POM housing, while the WS Brown sticks to nylon. The POM bottom housing of the Mamba contributes to a relatively deeper and muted sound profile. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the WS Brown enhances the typing experience by producing a deeper and fuller sound. This is due to nylon's softer nature, allowing it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a broader and less sharp sound.
Despite their differences, it is worth noting that both switches utilize the classic switch housing material, nylon, for either the top or bottom housing. This commonality ensures that both the Mamba and the WS Brown provide similar results in terms of sound profiles. However, the specific blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Mamba's top housing, as well as the use of POM for its bottom housing, give it a unique and distinctive sound profile. Nonetheless, both switches pay careful attention to the impact of the housing materials on the sound when pressing down or releasing a key, as the bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel while the top housing affects the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the specific grams for both switches are unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare them. However, both switches have been described as having a medium actuation force. This means that users can expect a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke on either switch.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Durock Mamba linear switch requires 60 grams of force to fully press down, which falls under the medium category. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, categorized as medium-light. This variance suggests that the WS Brown switch would require slightly less force to fully depress the keys compared to the Mamba switch.
Considering the weight of the switches, it becomes apparent that the Durock Mamba linear switch is the heavier option due to its higher bottom out force requirement. Some individuals may prefer this heavier feel as it provides a more substantial typing experience. On the contrary, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, being lighter in terms of bottom out force, may be favored by those who desire a lighter switch for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions.
In conclusion, while both the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch have a medium actuation force, their bottom out forces differ. The Mamba switch requires a heavier force of 60 grams for bottoming out, whereas the WS Brown switch is lighter with a bottom out force of 55 grams. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on individual preferences, with the Mamba providing a stronger push feel and the WS Brown offering a slightly lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches offer shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, which can be beneficial for gamers seeking faster response times. The Mamba is the shorter of the two options, offering a slightly quicker key press experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown provides a slightly deeper travel distance, which may be preferred by those who prefer a more substantial and tactile feel when typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether quick responsiveness or a more robust keystroke experience is desired.
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 Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 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
In terms of sound, the Mamba linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, meaning it has a moderate sound when pressed and released. This makes it suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or work. Additionally, the Mamba switch produces a satisfying "thocky" sound, which is deep and rich. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the WS Brown tactile switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Mamba linear switch offers a mild typing experience. This means that it provides a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Mamba switch is also described as polished, indicating that it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in sleek key travel and reduced friction. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available about the feel of the WS Brown tactile switch.
Considering the available information, both the Mamba linear switch and the WS Brown tactile switch offer subjective qualities that can enhance the typing experience. The Mamba switch provides a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience with its "thocky" sound profile. Meanwhile, the WS Brown switch strikes a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. Although we don't have specific details about the WS Brown's sound and feel, it is safe to assume that it would provide a pleasant and enjoyable auditory experience due to its familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination. If you are looking for a similar typing experience to the Mamba switch, the WS Brown switch could likely provide comparable results. However, factors such as personal preference, typing style, and the overall keyboard setup can still play a role in determining which switch is best suited for an individual's needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and a gliding typing sensation, the Durock Mamba would be a great choice. It offers a rich and creamy auditory experience, making it a joy to type on. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, the Wuque Studio WS Brown would be more suitable. These switches strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. They also provide a familiar and delightful auditory experience that enthusiasts cherish. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you're looking for.
Mentioned in this article
