Huano Acacia vs. Durock Ice King Linear

Overview

When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and the Durock Ice King Linear both stand out as exceptional options for gamers and typists alike, despite their subtle differences. The Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, resulting in a satisfying typing experience right out of the box. In contrast, the Ice King Linear is revered for its silky smoothness and its full nylon construction, which, combined with generous factory lube, creates a frictionless and polished feel. While the Acacia offers an accessible and reliable choice for those seeking a balanced linear switch, the Ice King Linear caters to users who prioritize a creamy and subdued typing sensation. Both switches bring unique features to the table, allowing for personal preference in tactile feedback and overall feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Huano Acacia Linear

Durock Ice King Linear Linear

$3.39 per 10

$5.80

$4.20 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Durock Ice King Linear exhibit a fascinating contrast, particularly in their top housings. The Acacia utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which enhances sound clarity and resonance. Moreover, its translucency makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination effects. In contrast, the Ice King Linear features a nylon top housing, which is a more traditional choice in mechanical switches. Nylon, being a softer plastic, creates a deeper, fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder auditory experience. This stark difference in materials directly influences the character of the sound emitted by each switch during actuation.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, a notable similarity arises, as both the Acacia and Ice King Linear utilize nylon for this component. The nylon used in the bottom housing helps to produce a consistent and complementary sound profile across both switches. With its sound-absorbing qualities, nylon contributes to creating a deeper and more rounded sound, which helps to mitigate higher frequencies generated by the top housing. As a result, despite the contrasting materials at play in the top housings, the similarity in bottom housing construction ensures that both switches will deliver a satisfying tactile experience while minimizing harshness in sound, particularly during bottom-out.

Overall, the distinction between the top and bottom housing materials influences not only the sound but also the overall feel of the switches. When pressing a key, players will experience the softer, fuller sound and sensation emanating from the nylon bottom housing. Conversely, the impact of the polycarbonate's crispness in the Acacia will be felt upon release, creating a complex interplay between the two components. The Ice King Linear will similarly deliver a more rounded sound during actuation, with the nylon's qualities dominating in both the bottom-out and release stages. This bifurcation in material properties allows for varied auditory and tactile experiences, giving each switch its unique character while maintaining an appealing balance.

Weight

The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Durock Ice King Linear switch present distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for varying user preferences. The Acacia features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This makes it ideal for those who prioritize comfort during extended typing sessions or gaming, as the reduced force can help mitigate fatigue. In contrast, the Ice King Linear switch has a heavier actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium category. This additional resistance may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing feel, enhancing tactile feedback. As a result, while both switches offer unique benefits, the Acacia is the lighter option, whereas the Ice King provides a heftier experience. If users prefer lighter switches for comfort, the Acacia would be the better choice, while those wanting a more forceful key press might opt for the Ice King.

Travel distance

Both the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Durock Ice King Linear switch have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this regard. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience the same length of movement from the top of the switch to the bottom. As a result, you can expect similar tactile feedback and response when using either switch. Since their travel distances coincide, both switches are likely to provide comparable performance in terms of key actuation and overall feel during typing or gaming sessions.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch is notably quiet, although specific details about its auditory properties are not provided. This allows for a subtle typing experience, making it suitable for environments where relatively low noise levels are appreciated. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is characterized as having a subdued sound profile. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, which strikes a balance between being audible and discreet. Both of these switches benefit from factory lubrication, which enhances their acoustic qualities, but the Ice King's sound is explicitly noted as more muted in comparison to many other switches.

When examining the feel, the Acacia switch is designed for a smooth typing experience, offering a medium-light weight and minimal stem wobble. It presents an enjoyable tactile sensation, though specific qualitative descriptors are absent. Conversely, the Durock Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a silky, frictionless feel, enhancing typing comfort and fluidity. Described as creamy and polished, these switches ensure that each key press is effortless and smooth, thanks in part to their superior factory lubrication and nylon construction. The Ice King's extensive range of positive tactile descriptors suggests that it could potentially offer a more satisfying typing experience than the Acacia in terms of feel.

In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and Durock Ice King Linear switches aim to deliver high-quality typing experiences, albeit with subtle differences. The Acacia excels in providing a quiet and refined auditory profile, while the Ice King stands out with its luxurious tactile qualities and subdued sound. Though their unique attributes can lead to slightly different experiences, users can expect satisfactory results from both options, particularly if they prioritize factors like factory lubrication and smoothness in their typing experiences.

Conclusion

To conclude, the decision between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Durock Ice King Linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and the typing experience you aim to achieve. If you favor a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 55 grams, the Acacia is likely to suit you well. With its smooth feel right out of the box, minimal stem wobble, and generous factory lubrication, it is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a slightly softer actuation and a more forgiving typing experience. Additionally, its sound profile is more subtle, making it an ideal option for quieter environments or if you prefer a more subdued auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, if you are seeking a more robust typing feel with a 62-gram actuation force, the Ice King Linear would be your go-to switch. Its silky-smooth action, characterized by creamy and polished sensations, provides a luxurious typing experience that enhances drift and fluidity. The Ice King also features a subdued sound signature, striking a balance between presence and quietness, which is great for both typing and gaming scenarios. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches comes down to whether you prioritize a lighter, smoother touch or a firmer, polished experience; both will offer you high-quality performance for different styles of use.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Acacia Linear

$3.39 per 10

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Durock Ice King Linear Linear

$5.80

$4.20 per 10

Learn more