Jerrzi Coral vs. Durock Ice King Linear
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Durock Ice King Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Coral and the Durock Ice King Linear stand out as top contenders. The Jerrzi Coral is praised for its distinctively crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, offering a balanced mix of nuanced sophistication and stellar performance. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Linear boasts a silky smooth typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. While the Coral switch is categorized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Silky', the Ice King Linear is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished'. Both switches have their own unique features and advantages, catering to different preferences and typing styles. 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
40g
Actuation force
52g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and the Durock Ice King Linear, it is evident that both switches use nylon for their bottom housing. This means that typing on either switch will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. However, the top housing of the Coral features polycarbonate, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both switches offer a tactile typing experience, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in sound output.
Despite their differences, the top housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and the Durock Ice King Linear both play a significant role in the overall sound profile of the switches. The polycarbonate top housing of the Coral creates a clearer and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This contrast in sound characteristics can influence the typing experience for users who prefer a sharper or fuller sound when pressing down on the keys.
In terms of the tactile feel and sound output when typing on the switches, the housing materials of the top and bottom components play a crucial role in the overall experience. The bottom housing material, whether nylon for the Coral or the Ice King Linear, will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the keys. Meanwhile, the top housing material, whether polycarbonate for the Coral or nylon for the Ice King Linear, will influence the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between the Jerrzi Coral and the Durock Ice King Linear will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Coral linear switch to the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in the typing experience. The Coral has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Ice King Linear's heavier 52 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Ice King Linear is 62 grams, which is medium, while the Coral's bottom out force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Coral, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Ice King Linear provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Coral offering a lighter touch and the Ice King Linear providing a more robust feel.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall in the range of shorter travel distances, with the Ice King being slightly shorter. Shorter travel distances are favored by gamers for quicker response times, while longer travel distances provide a more tactile feel. Ultimately, if you prefer a more responsive key press, the Ice King might be the better choice, but if you enjoy a more substantial key press, the Coral could be the one for you. In terms of comparison, the Coral has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ice King, but both fall within the range of shorter travel distances commonly preferred by users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.
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.
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 Jerrzi Coral linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched resonance, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a more subdued sound, creating a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. Both switches aim to provide a pleasing typing experience, with the Coral offering a lower-pitched tone while the Ice King Linear provides a more subdued sound. Ultimately, your choice of board and keycaps will also play a role in defining the overall sound quality of these switches.
When it comes to feel, both the Jerrzi Coral and Durock Ice King Linear switches are described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. The Ice King Linear switch goes a step further by being labeled as frictionless, providing an effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Additionally, the Ice King Linear switch is also described as creamy and polished, further enhancing the smooth and refined typing feel. The Coral switch, on the other hand, focuses on delivering a silky typing experience without the additional descriptors of being frictionless or creamy. Overall, both switches aim to provide a luxurious typing experience with smooth key travel and minimal resistance.
In conclusion, while the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Durock Ice King Linear switch offer slightly different sound profiles, they both focus on providing a silky and smooth typing experience. Whether you prefer the low-pitched resonance of the Coral switch or the more subdued sound of the Ice King Linear switch, both options promise a refined and sophisticated typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch, you may want to choose the Coral if you prefer a lower-pitched and crisp typing experience with a nuanced sophistication in each keystroke. On the other hand, the Ice King Linear may be your choice if you seek a medium bottom out force and a silky smooth typing feel due to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. Both switches offer a smooth and frictionless typing experience, but the Coral has a unique low-pitched sound signature while the Ice King Linear provides a more subdued sound. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force. Happy typing!
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