Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Smoothie are two options that stand out in the market. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, providing a frictionless and polished feel while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie offers a unique all-POM construction that delivers a thocky sound signature, a buttery smoothness, and a lightweight touch at an affordable price. Both switches are categorized as creamy and subdued, but with different characteristics such as the Ice King being described as silky and the Smoothie as low-pitched. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Smoothie both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie features a POM top housing that creates a pleasing and unique sound, leaning towards the deeper side and providing a relatively more muted sound compared to nylon. While both top housings offer distinct sound profiles, they each offer a different typing experience to the user.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Ice King Linear's nylon material continues to provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. Similarly, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing contributes to a pleasing and unique sound experience, with a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted compared to nylon. The choice of bottom housing material can have a significant impact on the overall feel and sound of the switch when pressed, offering a tactile experience that complements the top housing material.
When comparing the top and bottom housing materials of the Ice King Linear and the Smoothie, it is clear that each switch offers a unique typing experience. While the Ice King Linear's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Smoothie's POM material offers a pleasing and unique sound that is relatively more muted. The split between top and bottom housing qualities affects the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing having more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie's lighter actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Ice King Linear switch will require a slightly firmer press to register a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Ice King Linear switch also has a higher force of 62 grams, while the Gateron Smoothie's bottom out force is not available. This suggests that the Ice King Linear switch may provide a more substantial typing experience with a slightly heavier feel when compared to the Gateron Smoothie. Ultimately, if you prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie may be more suitable, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may prefer the Durock Ice King Linear switch.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ice King. However, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - if you prefer a slightly longer travel distance for a more substantial feel, the Gateron Smoothie might be the better option. On the other hand, if you prioritize quick responsiveness, the Durock Ice King Linear switch with its slightly shorter travel distance could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, with only a small variation between them.
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 Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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 provides a subdued and subtle typing experience, offering a dampened sound when pressed. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie switch delivers a thocky and low-pitched sound signature, characterized by a deep, rich, and satisfying thud when the key is pressed. Whether you prefer a more subdued or thocky sound will depend on your personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Linear is known for its silky and frictionless typing experience, providing an exceptionally smooth feel with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie offers a buttery and creamy typing experience, also focusing on smoothness and effortless key presses. Both switches aim to provide a smooth and polished typing sensation, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience for users.
In conclusion, both the Durock Ice King Linear and Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer high-quality typing experiences with a focus on smoothness and sound profile. While the Ice King Linear may provide a more subdued sound and a silky feel, the Gateron Smoothie excels in delivering a thocky sound and a buttery typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound, feel, and overall typing experience, ensuring that you get similar results of smooth and enjoyable typing regardless of the switch you choose.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force switch with a silky smooth typing experience and a more subdued sound, then the Durock Ice King Linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no specific bottom out force, a thocky sound signature, and a buttery, creamy, or silky typing feel, then the Gateron Smoothie linear switch would be the perfect fit for your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to what features you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard typing experience.
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