Durock Ice King Linear vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are excited to introduce the Durock Ice King Linear and Zuoce Lavender mechanical keyboard switches. The Ice King Linear promises a silky smooth typing experience with its full nylon construction and factory lube, offering a feeling of 'silky', 'frictionless', 'subdued', 'creamy', and 'polished'. On the other hand, the Lavender switch by Zuoce is known for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend, providing an 'easy-to-press' and 'clacky' typing experience. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater 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
52g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Z1 (Ly blend)
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
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Zuoce Lavender both use different housing materials for their top and bottom housing components, with the Ice King Linear featuring a nylon top housing and bottom housing, while the Lavender uses a POM material for both top and bottom housings. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, POM housings create a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and more muted compared to nylon.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Ice King Linear and the Zuoce Lavender, both switches provide a distinct sound profile based on their respective materials. The nylon housing of the Ice King Linear contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience, while the POM housing of the Lavender creates a unique and pleasing sound that is more muted. While the top and bottom housing materials may vary for each switch, they each play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile and feel of the switch when typing.
In terms of functionality, the qualities of the housing materials are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing the key. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housings ensures a balanced sound profile and typing experience for both the Durock Ice King Linear and the Zuoce Lavender, despite the differences in their housing materials.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Zuoce Lavender linear switch with an actuation force of 48 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King requires 62 grams, while the Lavender needs 53 grams. This makes the Ice King Linear switch slightly heavier overall in terms of force required for both actuation and bottom out. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Lavender switch, as it requires less force for both actuation and bottom out. On the other hand, the Ice King may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a bit more resistance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired amount of force required for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Ice King Linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lavender switch. Both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distances, making them suitable for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, you may lean towards the Ice King Linear switch. Overall, both switches offer a relatively similar travel distance, so you can expect comparable results in terms of key feel and responsiveness.
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 Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Ice King Linear switch provides a subdued sound when pressed, offering a more subtle and dampened sound experience compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switch produces a clacky sound, known for its sharp and snappy characteristics, creating a crisp, bright, and percussive sound with each keystroke. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is recognized for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These qualities contribute to an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing feel, minimizing resistance and offering a buttery sensation when typing. In contrast, the Zuoce Lavender switch is described as easy-to-press, providing gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a responsive, low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, while the Durock Ice King Linear and Zuoce Lavender switches possess unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, both offer an excellent typing experience with their smoothness and distinct sound signatures. Whether you prefer a more subdued and dampened sound with a silky typing feel from the Ice King Linear, or a clacky and sharp sound with an easy-to-press typing experience from the Lavender switch, both switches are sure to provide satisfying results for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Zuoce Lavender linear switches, you should consider your preference for typing feel and sound. If you prioritize a silky smooth typing experience with a medium bottom out force, then the Ice King Linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a crisp, clacky sound signature, then the Zuoce Lavender switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the typing experience you prioritize the most, whether it be smoothness or sound feedback.
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