Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Luciola are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, both offering unique characteristics that appeal 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 Luciola stands out with its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature and smooth, bouncy typing feel. While the Ice King is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished', the Luciola is labeled as 'Snappy', 'Clacky', 'Chirpy', 'Marbly', 'Buttery', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished'. When choosing between these switches, consider whether you prefer a smoother, quieter typing experience with the Ice King, or a more tactile, visually striking option with the Luciola. 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
55g
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
3.60 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
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Luciola switches offer different sound profiles due to their unique properties. The Ice King Linear features a nylon top housing that creates a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Luciola's proprietary INK blend top housing produces a pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the Ice King Linear leans towards a duller and rounder sound, whereas the Luciola provides a sharper and more defined sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ice King Linear and the Gateron Luciola switches utilize similar materials. Both feature a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound. This common housing material results in a consistent typing experience for both switches. However, despite the shared nylon bottom housing, the differences in their respective top housings still play a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Overall, the choice between the Ice King Linear and the Gateron Luciola switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile. While the nylon bottom housing of both switches provides a similar typing experience with a deep and full sound, it is the top housing material that ultimately determines the unique characteristics of each switch. Whether you prefer the duller and rounder sound of the Ice King Linear's nylon top housing or the pointed and clacky sound of the Luciola's proprietary INK blend top housing, both switches offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall within the medium weight category. The Ice King Linear has a slightly lighter actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Luciola's 55 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King Linear requires 62 grams, whereas the Luciola needs 60 grams. This means that while the Ice King may have a lighter initial trigger, it requires a bit more force to fully press the key compared to the Luciola. Both switches offer a balance between lighter typing and a more solid keystroke feel, making them suitable for various preferences. Whether one prefers a lighter typing experience for extended periods or a more substantial feel for a satisfying typing experience, both the Ice King Linear and the Luciola linear switches provide a versatile option for keyboard enthusiasts.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, the Ice King has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Luciola comes in at 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their quicker response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant to most users, as they will still provide a similar experience in terms of travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the slight difference in travel distance.
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 Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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 sound profile, providing a dampened and subtle typing experience when compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switch has a variety of sound characteristics such as being clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched, creating a more sharp, bright, and percussive typing sound. The choice between the Ice King Linear and Luciola switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, with the Ice King providing a quieter typing experience while the Luciola offers a more vibrant and lively sound profile.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Linear switch is renowned for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing feel, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimized resistance and friction when pressing the keys. In contrast, the Gateron Luciola switch is described as being snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a super responsive and uniform typing sensation, creating a more alive and seamless typing experience. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience, yet the Ice King Linear may appeal to those seeking a more frictionless and buttery feel, while the Luciola caters to those wanting a snappier and more responsive typing experience.
In conclusion, the subjective qualities of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch differ in sound and feel. The Ice King Linear offers a more subdued sound and silky typing feel, while the Luciola switch produces a variety of vibrant and sharp sound profiles and provides a snappier typing sensation. Depending on personal preference for typing sound and feel, both switches offer high-quality experiences that cater to different preferences. Choosing between the two will ultimately come down to individual preferences regarding sound and feel, ensuring that regardless of choice, users can expect a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Ice King Linear or the Gateron Luciola linear switch, you should take into account your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a silky smooth typing feel with a subdued sound profile, then the Ice King Linear may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that offers a bouncier and more tactile typing experience with a clacky or chirpy sound profile, then the Gateron Luciola may be the way to go. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you value the most.
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