Bsun Hutt vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the Bsun Hutt and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Hutt and the Durock Ice King Tactile are two popular options in the tactile switch category. The Bsun Hutt is praised for its medium-heavy spring and prominent tactile bump, providing a distinctive and enjoyable typing experience with a balanced sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile is known for elevating tactile typing to an art form, offering a smooth typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump. While the Hutt switch is described as 'Snappy', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Accented', and 'Resonant', the Ice King Tactile is characterized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', showcasing the unique qualities of each switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences 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
40g
Actuation force
58g
Bottom-out force
49g
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
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
20.5mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Hutt and the Durock Ice King Tactile differ in terms of their composition and the resulting sound profile. The Bsun Hutt boasts a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Durock's nylon top housing. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a more resonant sound profile, making it ideal for users who prefer a high-pitched sound with RGB lighting aesthetics. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer composition, absorbing more sound for a rounder overall profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Bsun Hutt and the Durock Ice King Tactile feature nylon materials. This classic switch housing material enhances the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that is favored by many keyboard enthusiasts. While the top and bottom housings of the switches may differ, the qualities brought by the housing materials are distributed across the switch, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the Bsun Hutt and Durock Ice King Tactile offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials. The use of polycarbonate in the Hutt provides a sharper and higher-pitched sound, ideal for users who prefer a crisper typing experience with RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile delivers a deeper and fuller sound, creating a more mellow and rounded typing experience. While each switch has its own unique characteristics, both provide quality sound profiles that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Bsun Hutt tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Durock Ice King Tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 58 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Hutt requires 49 grams of force, which is also lighter than the Ice King Tactile's 68 grams. This means that the Hutt switch offers a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a similar travel distance sensation. Overall, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer the same tactile feedback to users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Hutt has an MSRP of $6.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hutt for $5.39.
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.
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 Bsun Hutt switch offers a resonant typing experience, characterized by a clean and sharp sound profile that provides an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch produces a subdued sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. The choice of board and keycaps can also affect the sound of the switch, so it's important to consider these factors when selecting a switch based on sound preference.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Hutt switch is noted for its snappy and invigorating tactile feedback, with a sharp and accentuated tactile bump that is prominent and distinct with each keypress. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch provides a silky and frictionless typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and effortless key presses. Additionally, the Ice King Tactile switch has a stepped feel, providing a two-stage tactile sensation that includes pre-travel and/or post-travel. The polished finish of the Ice King Tactile switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Bsun Hutt tactile switch offers a resonant typing sound and a snappy, invigorating tactile feel with a sharp and pronounced tactile bump. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch provides a subdued typing sound and a silky, frictionless typing feel with a stepped sensation and polished finish. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so choosing between them depends on personal preference for sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying tactile typing experience with their own distinct characteristics.
Conclusion
To conclude, when considering whether to choose the Bsun Hutt tactile switch or the Durock Ice King Tactile switch, you should keep in mind the key differences in their bottom out forces, sound profiles, and tactile feels. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a more resonant sound profile, the Hutt switch may be the better choice for you. It offers a snappy and invigorating typing experience with a sharp and accented tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a subdued sound profile, the Ice King Tactile switch may be more suited to your preferences. It provides a silky and frictionless typing experience with a stepped and polished tactile feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile when choosing between these two exceptional tactile switches.
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