Durock Ice King Linear vs. Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, creating a frictionless and subdued feel. On the other hand, the V3 Matcha Green Pro stands out for its solid and responsive keystroke, culminating in a satisfyingly sharp bottom-out with clear and tactile feedback. While the Ice King Linear leans towards a smoother and creamy typing experience, the Matcha Green Pro offers a bouncy and clacky feel that resonates with typists and gamers. 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
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that both switches will provide a deep and full sound profile, thanks to nylon's ability to absorb sound and create a rounder sound. However, since the Ice King Linear also features a nylon top housing, the overall sound profile may be slightly duller compared to the Matcha Green Pro, which has a polycarbonate top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Matcha Green Pro creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, leading to a more clear and resonant typing experience. In terms of aesthetics, the Ice King Linear's translucent polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting, adding an extra visual element to the switch.
While both switches share a nylon bottom housing, the Ice King Linear's top housing differs from the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro's polycarbonate top housing. This means that typing on the Ice King Linear will result in a softer and deeper sound profile, while the Matcha Green Pro will offer a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The use of different top housing materials allows for a split in the qualities each housing brings to the switch, with the bottom housing having more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This difference in materials highlights the importance of selecting the right housing material to achieve the desired sound and typing experience.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro will depend on personal preferences in sound profile and aesthetics. The Ice King Linear's nylon top housing provides a deep and dull sound profile, while the Matcha Green Pro's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and clearer sound. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, ensuring a fuller sound experience. Whether one prefers a softer and fuller sound or a crisper and higher-pitched sound, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch, we can see that both fall within the medium range. The Ice King Linear has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams. In terms of weight, the Ice King Linear is lighter compared to the V3 Matcha Green Pro. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Ice King Linear for longer typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the V3 Matcha Green Pro offers a slightly heavier feel, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push when typing. Overall, both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, with the main difference being the weight preference for users.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switch. This means that the Ice King Linear switch will require less distance to press from the top to the bottom compared to the V3 Matcha Green Pro switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ice King Linear, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the longer travel distance of the V3 Matcha Green Pro. Both switches offer unique travel distances that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them will depend on individual typing or gaming preferences.
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 Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro has an MSRP of $4.66 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Matcha Green Pro for $2.20.
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 sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switch produces a clacky and resonant sound, with a sharp and snappy quality that can be described as crisp and immersive. The sound profile of both switches can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, but users can expect distinct auditory experiences with each switch.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is known for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These attributes result in an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel, with minimal resistance and friction when pressing the keys. Similarly, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switch offers a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky feel, providing a spring-like feedback sensation and a smooth and refined typing experience. Users can expect a buttery and responsive keystroke that enhances the overall typing experience.
Overall, both the Durock Ice King Linear and Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Ice King Linear provides a more subdued sound and a silky typing experience, the V3 Matcha Green Pro offers a clacky and resonant sound with a bouncy and creamy feel. Users can expect satisfying results with either switch, depending on their personal preferences for sound and typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force, the Durock Ice King Linear would be a great choice for a silky smooth typing experience with a subdued sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and enjoy a sharper, clacky sound with a bouncy and creamy typing feel, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
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