Durock Mamba vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Mamba, a linear switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile, a tactile switch. The Durock Mamba is best known for its smooth and gliding typing sensation, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', these switches are great for those who prefer a linear feel without any tactile bump. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches by Wuque are designed for the office and work environment, offering a medium level of tactility without compromising on noise reduction. With precision craftsmanship and ingenious stem railings, these switches minimize switch sound while providing a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Muted', the WS Silent Tactile switches offer a unique blend of tranquility and tactility. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile have their own unique characteristics and contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a brighter and more pleasant sound profile, while the WS Silent Tactile's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Both housing materials have their advantages, with the Mamba providing a slightly sharper sound and the WS Silent Tactile offering a rounder and duller sound. Despite the differences, both switches deliver satisfying results and enhance the typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing, the Mamba utilizes a POM bottom housing that produces a unique and muted sound. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile employs a nylon bottom housing, which enhances the switch's sound profile with its ability to absorb more sound. While the Mamba's POM housing creates a deeper sound, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon housing contributes to a fuller and deeper sound profile. Despite these distinctions, both switches offer a pleasing sound experience, with the bottom housings playing a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound profile and feel of the switches, it is important to note that they work in tandem. The bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This means that the Mamba's POM bottom housing and Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing will combine to deliver a unique and pleasant overall sound profile, with emphasis on the deeper bottom-out sound. Similarly, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon bottom housing and nylon top housing will work together to create a fuller and well-rounded sound experience, with the bottom housing contributing to the deeper sound during bottom-out. While their housing materials may differ, both switches aim to provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, we find that the actuation force for both switches is unavailable grams, indicating that they require a similar force to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force of the Mamba is 60 grams, which is considered medium, whereas the bottom out force of the WS Silent Tactile is 63.5 grams, leaning towards medium-heavy.
Considering the weight of the switches, some users prefer a lighter switch as it allows for extended typing sessions without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work situations or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces, as it provides a stronger push feel.
In terms of weight, the Mamba is lighter due to its 60-gram bottom out force, while the WS Silent Tactile is slightly heavier with its 63.5-gram bottom out force. Although the actuation force is not specified for either switch, we can assume that they are similar since the information states that the actuation force is unavailable grams for both switches.
In conclusion, the Durock Mamba offers a lighter typing experience with its medium bottom out force, making it suitable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile provides a slightly heavier feel with its medium-heavy bottom out force, catering to users who prefer a stronger push during typing.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. So, if you are looking for a switch with a specific travel distance of 3.5 mm, both the Mamba and the WS Silent Tactile will provide you with similar results and meet your requirements.
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 Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Mamba linear switch produces a neutral and thocky sound profile. This means that it offers a moderate level of sound, suitable for various purposes. The typing experience with the Mamba is characterized by a gliding sensation and a rich, creamy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch also has a neutral sound profile but with a muted quality. This switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It strikes a delicate balance between offering a medium level of tactility and reducing noise. So, while the Mamba provides a deeper, satisfying sound, the WS Silent Tactile focuses on creating a tranquil and quiet typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound, both switches can deliver satisfying results.
In terms of feel, the Durock Mamba linear switch is described as offering a mild and polished typing experience. A mild switch provides a gentle typing experience without overwhelming or subtle characteristics. With its polished finish, the Mamba ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is described as an accented switch that provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. It also offers an invigorating feel with a moderate to firm actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive typing sensation. Additionally, the WS Silent Tactile falls into the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Depending on your preference for feel, both switches offer different levels of tactility and typing sensations.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mamba provides a neutral sound with a thocky profile and a mild, polished feel. It offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile provides a neutral sound with a muted profile, focusing on noise reduction. It offers an accented, invigorating feel with a gentle typing experience. Both switches aim to strike a balance between different elements, such as tactility, noise reduction, and typing experience. Depending on your preferences, you can achieve similar results with either switch, albeit with different nuances in sound and feel.
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 an excellent choice. Its rich and creamy auditory experience, along with its tribute to Kobe Bryant, adds to its appeal. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch that strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile is the way to go. With a slightly higher bottom out force and a unique stem railing design, these switches offer a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Both switches have a neutral sound profile and feel, suitable for most intents and purposes. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on your personal preference for linear switches or tactile switches and your specific typing needs.
Mentioned in this article
