Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Ice King Tactile mechanical keyboard switches, both belonging to the tactile switch category, we see distinct characteristics that set them apart. The Bamboo Green switch is renowned for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, providing a unique typing experience categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile offers a smooth and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying typing experience described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished'. Deciding between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style; 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
43g
Actuation force
58g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Ice King Tactile both have their unique characteristics. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top and bottom housing, providing a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile sports a nylon top and bottom housing, delivering a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature that absorbs more sound. While the Bamboo Green offers a more balanced and consistent sound profile, the Ice King Tactile provides a richer and fuller sound experience.
In terms of sound production, the housing materials of the Bamboo Green and the Ice King Tactile play a significant role. The PBT housing of the Bamboo Green contributes to a consistent and neutral sound profile, offering a pleasant typing experience. In contrast, the nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. While the Bamboo Green is known for its balanced sound, the Ice King Tactile stands out for its rich and round sound profile, making each keystroke more satisfying and impactful.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Ice King Tactile ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both housing materials have their advantages, with PBT offering a more balanced sound and nylon providing a richer and fuller sound experience. Whether you prefer a more consistent typing experience with the Bamboo Green or a deeper sound profile with the Ice King Tactile, both switches are designed to enhance your typing experience in different ways. Ultimately, the similarities in sound profile quality between the two switches ensure that regardless of your choice, you will still achieve a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces, with the Bamboo Green being lighter and the Ice King Tactile being heavier. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Ice King Tactile has an actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams. Both switches provide a medium to medium-heavy typing experience, with the Bamboo Green offering a lighter touch for longer typing sessions and the Ice King Tactile providing a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, we can see that the Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Ice King Tactile has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Bamboo Green with its 4 mm travel distance offers a more traditional depth, providing a balance between responsiveness and key travel, making it a versatile option for different preferences. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile's 3.5 mm travel distance is slightly shorter, making it a preferred choice for gamers or those looking for quicker response times. Both switches offer different travel distances, catering to various preferences, with the Ice King Tactile being slightly shorter and the Bamboo Green offering a bit more depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green switch has a high-pitched and resonant profile, offering a sharp and crisp typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch provides a subdued sound, creating a more dampened and subtle auditory feedback. Depending on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard, users can choose between a more vibrant and resonant sound with the Bamboo Green or a softer and more subdued sound with the Ice King Tactile.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is noted for its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feedback. This means users can expect a two-stage tactile experience with a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The switch also offers a smooth and refined finish, reducing friction and providing a sleek typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch offers a silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished typing experience. This translates to an exceptionally smooth and effortless keypress, minimizing resistance and maximizing smooth key travel. Users can enjoy a fluid typing experience with the Ice King Tactile switch.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Durock Ice King Tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a clacky sound signature with a sharp tactile bump, while the Ice King Tactile offers a creamy smoothness with a more nuanced level of tactility. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound profile and tactile feedback. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers in the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you prefer a medium-bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature with crisp tactility, then the Bamboo Green may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a creamy smooth tactile bump that creates a uniquely satisfying typing experience, then the Ice King Tactile may be the better choice. Both switches offer impressive tactile experiences, but the Ice King Tactile may appeal more to those seeking a smoother feel while the Bamboo Green may be more suited for those who enjoy a sharper tactile experience. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual typing preferences and what kind of typing experience you find most satisfying.
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