Durock Ice King Linear vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Kiki Red mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find yourself faced with two excellent options, each offering unique characteristics. The Ice King Linear is well-known for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, giving it a smooth, subdued feel. On the other hand, the Kiki Red stands out for its finely tuned typing experience, striking a balance between high-pitched clackiness and subtle sound qualities, all housed in an all-POM construction with smooth actuation provided by Ly stems, earning it descriptors like clacky, creamy, and snappy. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different preferences; however, let's dive deeper beyond generalities so you can choose the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Kiki Red both incorporate different materials for their top and bottom housing components. The Ice King Linear utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Kiki Red features POM for both its top and bottom housings, creating a unique sound profile that is deep and relatively muted. While both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, the use of different materials in each switch contributes to slightly varying sound profiles and tactile responses.
In terms of their top housing materials, the Ice King Linear's nylon top housing absorbs more sound compared to the Kiki Red's POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon material offers a softer plastic feel, which impacts the overall typing experience by creating a rounder sound profile. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Kiki Red produces a relatively more muted sound with a deeper and pleasing tone. Despite their differences, both housing materials ultimately contribute to a unique typing experience that cater to different preferences.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, the nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Linear and the POM bottom housing of the Kiki Red also play a significant role in the overall sound profile of the switches. The softer nylon material in the Ice King Linear absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing in the Kiki Red contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile. These differences in bottom housing materials further distinguish the typing experience between the Ice King Linear and the Kiki Red, showcasing the impact of housing materials on switch performance.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces differ significantly. The Ice King has a higher actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a medium amount of resistance. In contrast, the Kiki Red requires a lighter touch with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a more lightweight option. This means that typing on the Ice King will result in a more solid and substantial typing experience due to the heavier forces, while the Kiki Red will offer a smoother and easier typing experience with its lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference, with some opting for the lighter Kiki Red for extended typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier Ice King for a more tactile typing feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch have slightly different travel distances, with the Ice King having a distance of 3.5 mm and the Kiki Red having a distance of 3.6 mm. While the difference between the two is minimal, some users may prefer one over the other based on their personal preferences. The Ice King with a slightly shorter travel distance may be preferred by those looking for a faster response time, such as gamers, while the Kiki Red with a slightly longer travel distance may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper keystroke feel. Overall, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, but the small variation may be a deciding factor for some users.
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 Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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 more subdued experience, providing a dampened sound when pressed. This subtle sound signature can complement a quieter work environment or a preference for a more understated typing noise. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red switch produces a clacky sound, which is sharp, snappy, and percussive. This kind of sound profile can add a lively and dynamic element to your typing experience, especially if you enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, both the Ice King Linear and the Kiki Red offer a creamy typing experience, characterized by a smooth and buttery feel with minimal resistance. This indicates that both switches provide a silky sensation while typing, allowing for effortless keystrokes and a fluid typing experience. Additionally, they both boast a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Ice King Linear is further described as silky and frictionless, enhancing the overall smoothness and ease of typing, while the Kiki Red is mentioned to be snappy and easy-to-press, indicating a responsive and comfortable typing feel.
In conclusion, while the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Kiki Red switches have different sound profiles, they both offer a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance. The Ice King Linear tends towards a quieter and more subdued sound, while the Kiki Red provides a more lively and clacky auditory feedback. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your preference for sound and tactile feedback during typing sessions. Whether you opt for the Ice King or the Kiki Red, you can expect a similar level of smoothness and finesse in performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Durock Ice King Linear or the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference for typing experience. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a more subdued sound with a silky smooth feel, then the Ice King Linear may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter bottom out force and a clacky sound with a creamy feel, then the Kiki Red switch might be more to your liking. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's essential to consider what aspects are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Ice King Linear and Kiki Red switches will depend on your individual preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience.
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