Durock Ice King Linear vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Red Panda are both popular options with unique characteristics. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, making it a great choice for those seeking a frictionless and polished feel. On the other hand, the Red Panda stands out for its light-medium amount of tactility, along with a distinct bottom-out and top-out sound, ideal for those who prefer a thocky and mild typing experience. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 Red Panda, it is clear that they both utilize different materials for their top housing. The Ice King Linear uses Nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound absorption qualities. On the other hand, the Red Panda utilizes polycarbonate, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile that is more transparent, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. While both materials have their own unique characteristics, they ultimately contribute to enhancing the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Interestingly, when it comes to the bottom housing, both the Ice King Linear and the Red Panda utilize Nylon as their material of choice. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to Nylon's softness and sound absorption properties. The use of Nylon in the bottom housing of both switches creates a duller and rounder sound, highlighting the consistent typing experience that users can expect from these switches. Despite the different top housing materials, the shared use of Nylon in the bottom housing ensures a similar sound profile and typing feel between the Ice King Linear and the Red Panda.
Overall, the choice of housing material for switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of typing on mechanical keyboards. The contrasting use of Nylon in the Ice King Linear and polycarbonate in the Red Panda's top housing results in distinct sound profiles, with the former offering a deeper sound and the latter providing a sharper tone. However, the shared use of Nylon in the bottom housing of both switches ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, whether you prefer a fuller and deeper sound or a sharper and crisper tone, both the Ice King Linear and the Outemu Red Panda offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch have similar actuation and bottom out forces, with the Ice King being slightly heavier at 52 grams actuation and 62 grams bottom out, compared to the Red Panda at 50 grams actuation and 60 grams bottom out. Both switches fall into the medium weight category, offering a balanced typing experience. Some users may prefer the Ice King for a slightly firmer typing feel, while others may find the Red Panda to be more comfortable for longer typing sessions due to its slightly lighter weight. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Ice King Linear switch is 3.5 mm, which is slightly longer than the 3.3 mm travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, the Ice King Linear switch provides a slightly deeper press compared to the Red Panda. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Ice King Linear, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Red Panda. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 subdued sound that is not completely silent but has a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switch provides a thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying noise when pressed and released. The choice of sound between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance and friction. In contrast, the Red Panda switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, standing in a safe middle-ground zone of feel. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience but through different qualities, catering to different preferences in terms of tactile feedback and smoothness.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a silky smooth typing experience with subdued sound, ideal for those seeking a refined and polished feel while typing. Meanwhile, the Outemu Red Panda switch offers a light-medium amount of tactility with a thocky and satisfying sound, making it a great choice for individuals looking for a tactile typing experience with a bassier bottom-out sound. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience in their own unique ways.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a subtle sound profile, the Durock Ice King Linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a light-medium amount of tactility and a more pronounced sound profile, then the Outemu Red Panda switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize smoothness and a subdued sound (Ice King Linear) or tactility and a thocky sound (Red Panda). Choose wisely based on your typing preferences and needs.
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