Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Wuque Studio WS Jade
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Jade offer distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Tactile is known for its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience with a symphony of touch. On the other hand, the WS Jade stands out for its bright metallic sound profile and enchanting RGB display, offering a uniquely creamy and smooth typing experience. While the Ice King Tactile is categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', 'Polished', the WS Jade is categorized as 'Clacky', 'Marbly', 'Resonant', 'Silky', 'Creamy'. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to 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
58g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
UPE
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound-absorption capabilities. In comparison, the Wuque Studio WS Jade utilizes a POM top housing that offers a unique and pleasing sound profile that leans towards the deeper and more muted side. While both housing materials contribute to the overall sound of the switches, the nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile may offer a slightly rounder sound compared to the POM top housing of the WS Jade.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Ice King Tactile and WS Jade once again differ in material. The Ice King Tactile's nylon bottom housing, similar to its top housing, provides a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the WS Jade's POM bottom housing also contributes to a unique and pleasing sound profile that is deeper and relatively more muted. Despite the differences in materials, both bottom housings play a crucial role in determining the bottom-out sound and overall feel of the switches.
In summary, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Jade showcase distinct characteristics in their housing materials that contribute to the sound profile and feel of the switches. While the Ice King Tactile's nylon housing may offer a slightly rounder sound and feel, the WS Jade's POM housing provides a unique and pleasing sound profile that leans towards a deeper and more muted tone. Despite these differences, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience and offer a satisfying feel with their respective housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switch, we can see that the Ice King Tactile has a slightly heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the WS Jade's 50 grams. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ice King Tactile at 68 grams and the WS Jade at 60 grams. The Ice King Tactile offers a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy actuation force, while the WS Jade provides a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with some preferring the heavier actuation force of the Ice King Tactile and others opting for the lighter touch of the WS Jade.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Wuque Studio WS Jade switch, which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, it can still impact the typing experience. The Ice King Tactile may provide a slightly quicker keystroke due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the WS Jade switch offers a slightly deeper key press, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing style and comfort.
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 Wuque Studio WS Jade comes in at $4.30 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 Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle auditory experience compared to most switches. On the other hand, the WS Jade switch produces a clacky and sharp sound, giving a crisp, bright, and percussive sound profile. Additionally, the WS Jade switch is also described as marbly and resonant, offering a high-pitched and clean sound. Depending on personal preference, the Ice King Tactile switch may be preferred for those seeking a quieter typing experience, while the WS Jade switch may appeal to those who enjoy a more audible and satisfying click while typing.
In terms of feel, both the Ice King Tactile and WS Jade switches are described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Ice King Tactile switch is also noted for its frictionless and polished feel, providing a refined and sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Jade switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. Both switches provide a comfortable and satisfying typing feel, with the choice between them potentially coming down to personal preference for a more stepped or mild tactile feel.
Overall, the Ice King Tactile and WS Jade switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Tactile switch provides a creamy and smooth tactile typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, while the WS Jade switch offers a bright metallic sound profile and a rock-solid bottom-out feel. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to individual tastes and what type of typing experience you prefer. Ultimately, regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch experience with either the Ice King Tactile or WS Jade.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Jade switches, you should consider your preference for typing feel and sound. If you value a medium-heavy bottom out force and a creamy smooth tactile experience with a pronounced bump, the Ice King Tactile may be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force with a bright metallic sound profile and a smooth linear feel, the WS Jade switch might better suit your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so choose based on what aligns best with your typing preferences and needs.
Mentioned in this article
