Durock Ice King Linear vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g present two appealing yet distinct options for typists seeking a unique experience. The Ice King Linear is celebrated for its silky smoothness, characterized by a frictionless typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lubrication. Typists who appreciate a plush, creamy feel will find this switch satisfying, making it ideal for extended typing sessions and gaming alike. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a whisper-quiet operation, perfect for those who prioritize a serene workspace, especially in shared environments. With an ultra-light bottom-out force of 43 grams, this switch is tailored for light typists who desire a subtle yet satisfying keystroke without disruptive noise. While both switches excel in delivering a linear experience, their varying tactile feedback and auditory profiles cater to different user preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches both utilize nylon for their top housings, showcasing a commonality in material that influences their acoustic properties. Nylon, being a softer plastic, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. This shared characteristic allows for a more muted and rounded auditory experience when typing, which many users appreciate for its pleasant and dampened sound quality. The choice of nylon for the top housing in both switches ensures that, regardless of the differing bottom housing materials, the initial sound and feel of key presses will possess a similar acoustical warmth and depth, leading to a unified typing experience.
In contrast to their compatible top housings, the Ice King Linear and the Silent Sakura - 43g diverge significantly in their bottom housing materials. The Ice King Linear features a nylon bottom housing, which continues the trend of producing a softer and fuller sound. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 43g opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing. This choice is pivotal as polycarbonate, being a stiffer material, generates a sharper and more resonant sound profile, thus enhancing the typing experience by providing a crisper auditory feedback. Therefore, while the overall sound signature of both switches is influenced by their nylon top materials, the bottom housings introduce contrasting characteristics that affect the bottom-out sound and overall feel when the switches are engaged.
Ultimately, the differences in bottom housing material between the Ice King Linear and the Silent Sakura - 43g play a significant role in their overall sound profiles. While both switches will deliver a rich and full sound on actuation due to their shared nylon top housings, the experience will diverge as the bottom-out sound is dictated by the nature of the bottom materials. Users can expect the Ice King Linear to provide a more subdued and soft audio feedback, while the Silent Sakura - 43g will present a more bright and crisp sound upon bottoming out. Consequently, the combination of housing materials creates a nuanced typing experience, appealing to different user preferences while still allowing for a similar sound foundation due to the compatible top housing.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch demonstrate notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to varied user preferences. The Ice King Linear has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a medium resistance that some users may favor for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a significantly lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it ideal for those who prioritize a lighter touch, especially during long typing or gaming sessions. As a result, while the Ice King Linear provides a stronger push feel, the Silent Sakura offers a more effortless keystroke, catering to users who might prefer easier actuation over a more forceful response. Therefore, the Silent Sakura is the lighter option while the Ice King Linear is the heavier one, reflecting the different ergonomic needs and preferences users may have.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, it's clear that they differ significantly. The Ice King Linear has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, whereas the Silent Sakura - 43g features a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Ice King Linear the shorter option, while the Silent Sakura offers a more traditional travel length. For gamers seeking quicker response times, the shorter 3.5 mm distance of the Ice King Linear may be preferable, leading to more immediate tactile feedback with each keypress. Conversely, the 4 mm travel distance of the Silent Sakura may appeal to those who appreciate a deeper, more substantial keystroke. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your preference for responsiveness versus a more pronounced depth in the typing experience.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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 features a subdued audio profile that results in a dampened sound when keys are pressed. This quality makes it less obtrusive and provides a more subtle sound experience compared to louder switches. While not entirely silent, its toned-down auditory feedback is conducive to a quieter typing environment, making it suitable for shared spaces. The HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch is engineered specifically to deliver a whisper-quiet experience. It mimics the serene sound of gentle raindrops, creating an ultra-soft clicking feel that perfectly aligns with its goal of a tranquil typing atmosphere. Both switches prioritize a quieter experience, though the Ice King has a more neutral tone, while the Silent Sakura leans into ultra-silence.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Linear stands out with an exceptionally silky, frictionless typing experience. It is designed to minimize resistance during keystrokes, allowing for an effortless fluidity akin to gliding fingers across keys. This creaminess enhances the tactile pleasure of typing, encouraging long, comfortable sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch lacks specific qualitative descriptors regarding its feel, but its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force suggests it is also designed for smooth actuation. This lightweight nature could provide a different typing experience that appeals to users who prefer a softer touch, though the lack of detailed characteristics leaves some uncertainty regarding its overall tactile feedback compared to the Ice King's well-defined quality.
In summary, both the Durock Ice King Linear and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches offer unique advantages in audio and feel for different typing preferences. The Ice King caters to those seeking a subdued sound with an unparalleled smoothness and creamy typing experience, while the Silent Sakura focuses on achieving a whisper-quiet action for users prioritizing silence. Each switch can provide a satisfying typing experience in its own right, but the Ice King stands out with more pronounced tactile qualities, providing easy comparisons for users who prioritize both sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on what aspects of the typing experience are most important to the individual user.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g Linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you appreciate a medium bottom-out force that provides a bit of resistance and favor a silky, frictionless typing experience, then the Ice King Linear is ideal for you. Its subtle sound signature allows for a satisfying tactile response without being overly loud, making it a great option for both office settings and home use where you might want to maintain a quieter atmosphere while still enjoying a smooth keystroke. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a serene typing experience and prefer a significantly lighter touch, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is an excellent choice. With its whisper-quiet operation and ultra-light bottom-out force, it caters specifically to those who seek a tranquil environment, making it perfect for late-night typing sessions or shared spaces where noise levels must be kept to a minimum. Your decision comes down to whether you seek a more tactile and substantial feel or a light and silent one, allowing you to tailor your typing experience to your unique preferences.
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