Durock Ice King Linear vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile are two popular options to consider. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, providing a subdued and polished feel. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile offers a profound tactile experience with a 70g bump, immersive resistance, and a captivating "thocky" sound, giving it an invigorating and snappy feel. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles, making them appealing choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. 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
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Durock Ice King Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile utilize nylon as their housing material, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This characteristic is likely to appeal to users looking for a quieter typing experience compared to switches with harder housing materials.
While both switches share the same nylon housing material, they differ in terms of their top and bottom housings. The split qualities of the housing material in each switch affect the overall sound and feel when typing. The bottom housing of a switch typically has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. This means that the Durock Ice King Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile may offer distinct typing experiences based on the distribution of their housing materials.
Ultimately, whether you choose the Durock Ice King Linear or the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile, you can expect to achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel due to their shared nylon housing material. Both switches are designed to provide a deeper and fuller typing sound profile, thanks to the softer and more sound-absorbent nature of nylon. However, differences in the distribution of the nylon housing material in the top and bottom housings may lead to nuanced variations in typing experience between the two switches.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch with an actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King requires 62 grams, while the WS Heavy Tactile needs 70 grams, making it heavier in that aspect. The Ice King provides a more balanced medium feel in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, while the WS Heavy Tactile leans towards a heavier typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Ice King for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those seeking a more substantial push feel may gravitate towards the WS Heavy Tactile for a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, we can see that the Ice King Linear has a longer travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users. The Ice King Linear may provide a slightly deeper key press experience, while the WS Heavy Tactile may feel slightly more abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear 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 Linear for $4.20.
The Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile 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 Ice King Linear switch is known for its subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound profile when pressed. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound, with a sharp and crisp characteristic that can be described as resonant. The Ice King Linear switch will give you a quieter and more understated typing experience compared to the more engaging and lively sound of the WS Heavy Tactile switch.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Linear switch is celebrated for its silky and frictionless typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and minimal resistance. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile switch provides an invigorating and sharp tactile feedback, with a bouncy and snappy feel that enhances the typing sensation. The Ice King Linear switch will give you a smoother and effortless typing experience, while the WS Heavy Tactile switch will provide a more pronounced and responsive tactile feedback.
Overall, the Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a silky smooth typing experience with a subdued sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a more understated and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch delivers a profound tactile experience with a clacky sound and invigorating feedback, ideal for users who enjoy a more engaging and lively typing sensation. Both switches have their unique qualities, so choosing between them will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches, your choice should be based on your preference for typing experience. If you value a silky smooth typing feel with a more subdued sound, then the Ice King Linear switch would be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more immersive tactile experience with a "thocky" sound and pronounced feedback, the WS Heavy Tactile switch would be the better choice. Ultimately, consider your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking for when making your decision between these two switches.
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