Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself torn between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow. The Ice King Tactile offers a luxurious typing experience with its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, appealing to those who appreciate a blend of smoothness and tactility. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow provides a shorter travel distance and a pleasant smoothness, striking a balance between laptop-like typing and traditional mechanical keyboard feel. While the Ice King Tactile is lauded for its symphony of touch, the Ink Yellow is favored for its clackiness and smooth operation. 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
58g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow both have unique characteristics that contribute to the sound and feel of the switches. The Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Ink Yellow uses Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing, resulting in a pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is satisfying and clacky. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile produces a rounder sound compared to the higher-pitched sound of the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow.
The bottom housing of the Ice King Tactile and the Ink Yellow also play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Tactile contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow adds to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile, creating a clacky sensation when typing. While both switches have different bottom housing materials, they both enhance the overall sound experience and play a crucial role in the typing feel.
In conclusion, the choice of housing material for a switch can greatly impact the sound and feel of typing. The Durock Ice King Tactile's nylon housing materials produce a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Gateron Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend housing materials create a higher-pitched and clacky sound. Whether the housing materials are the same or different for a switch, they each bring unique qualities that influence the overall typing experience. Ultimately, it is important to consider the sound and feel preferences when selecting a switch with specific housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches, both switches fall in the medium-heavy category. The Durock Ice King Tactile has an actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, while the Gateron Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. In terms of weight, both switches provide a solid typing experience, with the Ice King Tactile being slightly lighter and the Ink Yellow being slightly heavier. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Ice King Tactile may be the better option. However, those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the Ink Yellow. Ultimately, the slight differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches may not be very noticeable during regular use, resulting in a similar typing experience for most users.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. Both switches provide a consistent and satisfying keystroke experience with their identical travel distances, allowing users to achieve similar results in terms of key feel and typing performance. The similarity in travel distance between the Ice King Tactile and the Ink Yellow showcases how both switches prioritize a balanced and comfortable typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
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 Durock Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, but can also produce a clacky, sharp, and snappy sound. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is known for its silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished characteristics, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is described as providing a mild and gentle typing experience, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, it also boasts a polished finish for a smooth and sleek typing feel.
Considering all the information provided, it is evident that the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ice King Tactile provides a unique and satisfying tactile experience with a subdued sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow offers a pleasant and clacky typing experience with a neutral sound profile. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on the individual user's personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you value a unique and satisfying tactile feel with a pronounced bump, then the Ice King Tactile is the switch for you. The Ice King Tactile offers a silky smooth typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 68 grams. On the other hand, if you prefer a shorter travel and a smooth, clacky typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, then the Gateron Ink Yellow switch would be more suited to your needs. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, the Ink Yellow switch provides a pleasant feel for both beginner and advanced users. Consider your typing preferences and choose the switch that aligns with what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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