Durock Ice King Linear vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a smooth typing experience with their linear design. The Ice King Linear stands out for its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, providing a silky and frictionless feel while typing. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon features a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a buttery smooth experience that is low-pitched and neutral. Both switches offer a subdued and mild typing experience, making them suitable for those who prefer a more polished feel. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that typing on switches from both keyboards will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. However, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out with its polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in top housing material can have a significant impact on the overall typing experience and sound produced by the keyboard.
While the Ice King Linear and Sea Salt Lemon keyboards share similarities in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, their top housing materials set them apart. The Ice King Linear's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and clearer sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material in the Sea Salt Lemon's top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visual element to the typing experience. This contrast in top housing materials showcases the versatility and customization options available with different housing materials in keyboards.
The distinction between the nylon bottom housing and polycarbonate top housing of the Ice King Linear and Sea Salt Lemon keyboards highlights the impact that housing materials can have on the overall sound and feel of a keyboard. While both keyboards feature nylon bottom housings that result in a deeper sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing contributes to a crisper and more resonant sound. The split between bottom and top housing qualities influences both the feel of pressing down on a key and the sound produced when releasing it, showcasing the importance of housing materials in creating a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, we can see that the Ice King Linear has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's lighter force of 45 grams. Similarly, the Ice King Linear has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is also heavier than the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range of force, but the Ice King Linear leans towards the heavier side compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Ice King Linear, while individuals looking for a lighter touch may find the Sea Salt Lemon more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Sea Salt Lemon the longer of the two switches. The shorter travel distance of the Ice King Linear may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Sea Salt Lemon may provide a more substantial and satisfying key press for those who prefer more depth. Both switches offer unique advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Ice King Linear being shorter and the Sea Salt Lemon being longer in terms of 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 Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 dampened and subtle when pressed, providing a more muted typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch produces a low-pitched sound that is bass-heavy and mellow, giving a different auditory feedback to the user. The Sea Salt Lemon switch also has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various typing environments. Both switches offer different sound characteristics, catering to different preferences and typing atmospheres.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance and friction. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel to most users. While the Ice King Linear switch provides a more luxurious and refined typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon switch focuses on a softer and more accessible typing feel. Both switches excel in providing a smooth typing experience, but they cater to different preferences in terms of tactile feedback.
Overall, both the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches have their unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued sound and a silky typing experience, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch produces a low-pitched sound and a mild typing feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Whether you choose the Ice King Linear for its luxurious feel or the Sea Salt Lemon for its gentle typing sensation, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch. Ultimately, your choice will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches, consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams and enjoy a subdued sound signature, then the Ice King Linear may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams and enjoy a low-pitched sound profile, along with a mild typing experience, then the Sea Salt Lemon switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer a smooth typing experience but with slight variations in feel and sound, so choose according to your personal preferences for a satisfying typing experience.
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