Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Jupiter Banana
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. On the other hand, the Jupiter Banana by Gateron stands out for its high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, enhanced with two-stage springs for a strong return and consistent feel. While the Ice King Linear is categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished', the Jupiter Banana is described as 'Polished', 'High-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Resonant'. Each switch offers its own set of advantages, but ultimately, the choice between a linear switch like the Ice King Linear and a tactile switch like the Jupiter Banana will depend on personal typing preferences. 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
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
69g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear's housing materials offer a unique combination of nylon for the top housing and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Banana utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, creating a sharper and clearer sound profile with the stiffer polycarbonate material. While both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, the Ice King Linear focuses on a rounder sound, while the Jupiter Banana prioritizes a crisper sound with the polycarbonate top housing. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a deeper sound profile or a clearer one.
In terms of aesthetics, the Durock Ice King Linear stands out with its nylon top and bottom housing materials, offering a classic look with a focus on sound quality. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, providing a more visually striking appearance. While the Ice King Linear opts for a more traditional look, the Jupiter Banana embraces modern design elements with its translucent polycarbonate top housing. Whether you prioritize sound quality or visual appeal, both switches offer distinct housing material choices that cater to different preferences.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana play a significant role. The softer nylon material in the Ice King Linear results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, impacting both the bottom-out sound and the release sound. In contrast, the stiffer polycarbonate material in the Jupiter Banana creates a sharper and crisper sound, particularly noticeable when releasing a key. While both switches provide unique typing experiences based on their housing materials, users can expect similar qualities in terms of the softer nylon bottom housing, which helps create a dulled and rounder sound for both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Ice King Linear and Jupiter Banana will come down to personal preference in sound and aesthetics.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams. Both switches have similar medium bottom out forces, with the Ice King Linear requiring 62 grams and the Jupiter Banana needing 69 grams. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Ice King Linear may be the better choice, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Jupiter Banana offers a more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier actuation force, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular in the market. Gamers may appreciate the slightly shorter travel distance of the Jupiter Banana for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Ice King Linear with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant for most users, as they will both provide similar results in terms of key feel and performance.
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 Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound, delivering a sharp and crisp auditory experience. Depending on personal preference, users may lean towards the more muted sound of the Ice King Linear or the vibrant sound of the Jupiter Banana.
When it comes to feel, both the Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches offer a silky typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. Similarly, the Gateron Jupiter Banana boasts a polished and creamy feel, ensuring a buttery typing experience with minimal resistance. Users can expect a luxurious typing sensation with both switches, making them suitable choices for those who prioritize comfort during extended typing sessions.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches offer impressive qualities in sound and feel. While the Ice King Linear provides a more subdued sound and a silky typing experience, the Jupiter Banana delivers a high-pitched sound and a buttery feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can confidently choose either switch for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience. No matter which switch is selected, users can expect to achieve a comparable level of quality in sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you prioritize a silky smooth and frictionless typing feel with a subdued sound profile, the Ice King Linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a higher bottom out force that offers a polished and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, then the Gateron Jupiter Banana switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound when deciding between these two switches.
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