Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Ink Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Ink Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Ink Red mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches known for their smooth typing experience. The Ice King Linear stands out for its silky and frictionless feel, attributed to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red offers a lighter actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. The Ink Reds are praised for their satisfyingly smooth feel, crispy sound profile, and effortless typing experience. While both switches are categorized as polished and offer a smooth typing experience, the Ice King Linear is described as subdued and creamy, while the Ink Red is labeled as chirpy and mild. 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
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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 Linear and the Gateron Ink Red are both designed to enhance the sound profile of the switches they are used in. The Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Ink Red features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. While both materials aim to enhance the sound experience of typing, the Ice King Linear provides a duller and rounder sound compared to the Ink Red's thinner and higher-pitched sound.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Ice King Linear and the Gateron Ink Red feature housing materials that aim to impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Linear contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Red creates a high-pitched and clacky sound. Despite the differences in sound profiles resulting from the bottom housing materials, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound characteristics.
Overall, while the top and bottom housing materials vary between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Ink Red, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience through their unique sound profiles. The softer nylon material used in the Ice King Linear provides a duller and rounder sound, while the proprietary INK blend material in the Ink Red creates a thinner and clacky sound. Regardless of the differences in sound profiles, both switches are designed to offer a satisfying typing experience with their distinct sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, it is evident that the Ink Red is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Ice King Linear's 52 grams. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ice King Linear at 62 grams and the Ink Red at 60 grams. This means that while the Ice King Linear may require slightly more force to actuate, both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of bottoming out. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Gateron Ink Red, while users who enjoy a bit more resistance in their typing experience may find the Durock Ice King Linear more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired weight of the switch.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Gateron Ink Red switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of commonly used travel distances, with the Ink Red being closer to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ice King Linear, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the longer travel distance of the Ink Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Ink Red 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 Red 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 Linear switch offers a subdued tone when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, but also features a unique chirpy element that sets it apart from other switches. Ultimately, the sound produced by each switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, both the Ice King Linear and the Ink Red switches share the descriptor of being silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, they both have a polished finish, providing a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Ink Red switch also adds a mild characteristic, offering a more gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users due to its middle-ground qualities.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear and Gateron Ink Red linear switches both offer a smooth and polished typing experience with minimal resistance and a subdued sound profile for the Ice King Linear and an additional chirpy element for the Ink Red. While they may have some differences in sound and feel, users can expect similar results in terms of overall typing comfort and performance from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference in sound profile and any specific typing style requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Ink Red linear switches, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you are looking for a switch with a slightly higher bottom out force, a subdued sound profile, and a variety of smooth typing descriptors such as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished, then the Ice King Linear may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lower actuation force, a neutral sound profile with a chirpy tone, and descriptors like silky, mild, and polished, the Gateron Ink Red could be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize typing feel, sound profile, or actuation force in your mechanical keyboard switch.
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