Durock Ice King Linear vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Milk Blue offer unique typing experiences for users. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, making it a great choice for those seeking a frictionless and subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Blue is a clicky switch that provides a tactile feedback with every key press. While the Ice King Linear is known for its creamy and polished feel, the Milk Blue offers a different sensation altogether. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Milk Blue switches, one key difference is that the Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, while the Milk Blue features a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Milk Blue creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer plastic makeup. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting effects, providing a visually appealing element to the switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing of these switches, both the Ice King Linear and the Milk Blue feature a nylon bottom housing. This material choice for the bottom housing allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound and create a duller, rounder sound. While the top housing may have a greater impact on the sound when pressing and releasing a key, the qualities of the bottom housing are more pronounced in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Despite the similarities in the bottom housing material, the contrasting top housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate in these switches contribute to their unique sound profiles and characteristics.
In summary, the choice of housing materials in the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Milk Blue switches plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and feel of these switches. While both switches feature a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, the differing top housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate result in distinct sound characteristics. The Ice King Linear's nylon top housing creates a duller, rounder sound, whereas the Milk Blue's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, crisper sound. Understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance is essential for those seeking a specific sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear and Outemu Milk Blue switches both have unique characteristics when it comes to actuation force and bottom out force. The Ice King Linear has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Milk Blue's 50 grams. However, the Ice King Linear also has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Milk Blue. This means that the Ice King Linear provides a more consistent typing experience with a noticeable increase in resistance as the key is fully pressed. In contrast, the Milk Blue may offer a more tactile typing experience due to its clicky nature, but with unknown bottom out force, it's hard to determine how it compares in terms of overall weight. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Milk Blue, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Ice King Linear.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Milk Blue switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making the Milk Blue switch slightly longer in travel distance. In general, a shorter travel distance is often favored by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying and tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness. If you prefer a quicker key press, the Ice King Linear may be the better option, but if you enjoy a more pronounced keystroke, the Milk Blue switch might be more suitable. Both switches offer unique benefits, so selecting the right one will depend on personal typing 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 Outemu Milk Blue comes in at $3.10 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a more subdued sound when pressed, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature. This can contribute to a quieter typing experience compared to most switches. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch is not provided. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel, the Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished, emphasizing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. These qualities enhance the overall smoothness of typing and minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, offering a luxurious sensation while typing. Unfortunately, details on the tactile feel of the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch are not given.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear switch stands out for its smooth and subdued typing experience, with its full nylon construction and generous factory lube contributing to a silky feel and quiet sound profile. Although details about the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch are not provided, it is important to consider your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel when choosing between these switches. Ultimately, both switches may offer a satisfactory typing experience, with the Ice King Linear providing similar results in terms of smoothness and quietness.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a smooth and frictionless typing feel with a subdued sound, then the Ice King Linear would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile and clicky typing experience, even though the specific details of the Milk Blue switch are unavailable, it may be a better fit for your typing style. Ultimately, consider how you value typing feel and sound when making your decision between these two switches.
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