Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Mini i
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i offer distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, providing a frictionless and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mini i is known for its gentle tactility and fairly muted sound profile, making it ideal for quiet office environments. While the Ice King Linear offers a creamy and subdued feel, the Gateron Mini i provides a bouncy and easy-to-press sensation. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 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
Nylon
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
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i, it is evident that both switches utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings. The use of nylon in the housing construction of both switches results in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon's softer plastic composition allows it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. As a result, users can expect a tactile and satisfying typing experience from both the Ice King Linear and the Mini i switches.
While both switches share the same nylon housing material for their top and bottom housings, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i may differ in their overall sound and feel due to other design elements. The bottom housing of a switch typically has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, subtle variations in the design and construction of the switches may lead to differences in typing experience despite the shared nylon housing material.
Overall, users can expect similar typing experiences from the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i switches due to their use of nylon for the housing material. Both switches will offer a deep and full sound profile with a tactile feel that is characteristic of nylon housings. While variations in design elements may lead to subtle differences in sound and feel between the two switches, the core typing experience will likely be comparable for those who appreciate the qualities that nylon housing brings to mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Gateron Mini i tactile switch, it is evident that the Mini i is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. In contrast, the Ice King Linear has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Ice King Linear provides a more substantial typing experience compared to the Mini i. However, both switches offer a medium actuation force, meaning that users can expect similar results in terms of responsiveness when typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding the weight of the keypress and the typing experience desired.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, making it slightly longer than the Gateron Mini i tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.4mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, appealing to those looking for faster response times, particularly gamers. The slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to some users, but for those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Gateron Mini i may be the better choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a bit more depth and feedback when typing may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Ice King Linear more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience.
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 Mini i comes in at $6.00 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is known for its subdued sound profile, offering a dampened sound when pressed, creating a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Mini i tactile switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, striking a balance with a moderate actuation force requirement and sound level suitable for various uses, whether at home or in the office. Both switches provide different sound experiences, with the Ice King Linear offering a quieter typing experience compared to the Mini i, which provides a more moderate sound to suit different environments.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Linear switch is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless key press with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Gateron Mini i tactile switch is characterized by its bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, subtle, and stepped feel, providing a more lively and responsive typing experience with gentle resistance and low-impact typing feel. The Ice King Linear switch focuses on delivering a smooth and refined typing experience, while the Mini i tactile switch emphasizes a more spring-like and elastic feedback sensation with lighter actuation force requirements.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the Gateron Mini i tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a subdued sound profile and a frictionless, smooth typing experience, while the Mini i tactile switch delivers a neutral sound profile and a bouncy, responsive typing feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing needs, users can choose between the quieter, smoother Ice King Linear switch or the more moderate, responsive Mini i tactile switch for their mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences, allowing users to enjoy a customized typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Mini i switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Ice King Linear switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom out force and a gentle, bouncy keystroke that is suitable for long hours of comfortable typing in a quiet office setting, the Gateron Mini i switches are your best bet. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing needs.
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