Durock Ice King Linear vs. Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options on the market are the Durock Ice King Linear and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, providing a frictionless and subdued feel. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Blueberry is known for its sharp tactile bump, perfect for those who enjoy a snappy typing feel with a unique low-pitched sound frequency. Both switches offer their own set of characteristics and benefits 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
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
3.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Ice King Linear utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that is relatively muted and round. In contrast, the NovelKeys Blueberry uses POM for both its top and bottom housing, creating a sound profile that is also deep but with a more pleasing and unique quality. While both switches offer a similar deep sound, the Ice King Linear's nylon housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone compared to the Blueberry's POM housing.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Durock Ice King Linear and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry offer a satisfying typing experience. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear provides a softer plastic feel that absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Conversely, the POM top housing of the Blueberry contributes to a unique and pleasing sound that is relatively more muted. While the bottom housing of both switches plays a significant role in the overall typing experience, with the Ice King Linear's nylon bottom housing creating a duller bottom-out sound and feel compared to the Blueberry's POM bottom housing.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry will come down to personal preference for sound and feel. The differences in housing materials, whether it be nylon or POM, contribute to the overall sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While the Ice King Linear's nylon housing offers a deeper and fuller sound with a rounder tone, the Blueberry's POM housing creates a unique and pleasing sound with a more muted quality. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, showcasing the impact that housing materials can have on the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch, it is evident that the Ice King Linear is lighter in comparison to the Blueberry. The Ice King Linear has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the NovelKeys Blueberry has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams. The Ice King Linear provides a medium level of force, making it a suitable option for those looking for a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Blueberry offers a heavier actuation and bottom out force, which can be preferred by individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, the Ice King Linear offers a lighter typing experience, ideal for prolonged use during work or gaming sessions, while the Blueberry provides a heavier typing feel for those who prefer a more substantial keypress. Both switches offer different levels of force, catering to the preferences of users seeking either a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, the Ice King Linear offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Ice King Linear for its faster actuation, while those looking for a more substantial key press may opt for the Blueberry tactile switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and response time.
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 Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Blueberry for $6.25.
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, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This results in a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch provides a low-pitched and resonant sound profile. The low-pitched sound is bass-heavy and mellow, while the resonant characteristic offers a clean and sharp auditory experience. Both switches offer different sound profiles, with the Ice King Linear being more subdued and the Blueberry switch being more resonant and bass-heavy.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished. These descriptors indicate an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch offers a snappy, buttery, textured, invigorating, and stiff feel. This implies a more responsive and textured typing experience with pronounced feedback and a higher actuation force requirement. Both switches provide distinct tactile feedback and typing sensations, with the Ice King Linear focusing on smoothness and the Blueberry switch emphasizing responsiveness and feedback.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a smooth and polished typing experience with a subdued sound profile, while the NovelKeys Blueberry switch offers a more tactile and textured feel with a low-pitched and resonant sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience, whether one prefers a smoother typing feel or a more tactile and responsive feedback. Both switches deliver high-quality performance based on their unique characteristics, so users can expect a satisfying typing experience with either option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switches, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a silky smooth typing experience with a subdued sound profile, the Ice King Linear may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a heavy bottom out force and a sharp tactile bump with a low-pitched, resonant sound profile, the NovelKeys Blueberry switch could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the specific attributes that matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch. Choose wisely based on the features that align best with your typing needs.
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