Durock Ice King Linear vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Purple Star mechanical keyboard switches, both switches boast a smooth typing experience with their linear design. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky and frictionless feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube application. On the other hand, the Purple Star switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with their all-POM construction and very light 45g bottom-out, catering to light typists for ease and comfort. While the Ice King Linear is described as subdued and creamy, the Purple Star is known for its mild and low-pitched sound signature, making it an easy-to-press option. Ultimately, both switches have their unique qualities that appeal to different preferences. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
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 KTT Purple Star both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Purple Star incorporates POM top and bottom housings, which produce a pleasing and unique sound that leans towards the deeper and more muted side. While both switches offer a different sound experience due to their housing materials, they both aim to provide a rich typing experience for users.
One key difference between the Ice King Linear and the Purple Star lies in their choice of housing materials. The Ice King Linear's use of nylon for both the top and bottom housing results in a consistent sound profile that emphasizes depth and fullness. On the other hand, the Purple Star's combination of POM top and bottom housings creates a more distinctive sound that is deeper and relatively more muted. This difference in housing materials gives each switch its own unique typing experience, catering to the preferences of different users.
Despite their differences, the Ice King Linear and the Purple Star share a common goal of enhancing the typing experience through their housing materials. While the Ice King Linear's nylon top housing may elicit a slightly different sound profile compared to the Purple Star's POM top housing, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles. Whether you prefer the deeper and fuller sound of the Ice King Linear or the pleasing and unique sound of the Purple Star, both switches offer quality housing materials that contribute to an overall enhanced typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the KTT Purple Star linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King requires 62 grams, while the Purple Star only needs 50 grams. The Ice King Linear switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Purple Star switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements, with the Ice King being the heavier option and the Purple Star being the lighter one.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Purple Star linear switches, both switches have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience a consistent travel distance of 3.5 mm from the top to the bottom. As a result, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feel and overall typing experience with both switches. The travel distance of 3.5 mm for both the Ice King Linear and the Purple Star make them equally suitable choices for those seeking a linear switch with a moderate 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 KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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 offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star switch produces a low-pitched tone with a more bass-heavy and mellow quality. Both switches aim to offer a quiet typing experience, but the Ice King may lend itself to a softer sound overall.
In terms of feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star switch is characterized as mild and easy-to-press, providing a gentle typing experience with light actuation force for effortless typing. While the Ice King switch focuses on smoothness and fluid travel, the Purple Star emphasizes comfort and ease of use for light typists.
In conclusion, both the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Purple Star linear switches aim to offer a smooth typing experience, but with slightly different focuses. The Ice King emphasizes a silky and polished feel alongside a subdued sound, while the Purple Star prioritizes a mild and easy-to-press experience with a low-pitched sound. Depending on individual preferences for typing feel and sound profile, users can expect similar high-quality results from both switches in terms of overall smoothness and comfort.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Purple Star linear switches, consider your preference for typing force and sound. If you prefer a medium typing force and a more subdued sound, the Ice King Linear may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing force and a low-pitched sound, the Purple Star switches could be more suitable. Additionally, if you prioritize a silky, frictionless, creamy, or polished feel, the Ice King Linear switches may be more appealing, while those looking for a mild and easy-to-press typing experience may prefer the Purple Star switches. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and typing style when selecting the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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