Durock Ice King Linear vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Wine Red both offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. On the other hand, the Wine Red provides a pillowy light typing experience with a deep and rich sound profile. The Ice King Linear is known for its subdued and creamy feel, while the Wine Red offers a bassy and low-pitched sound. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for 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
44g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Wine Red housing materials, it is evident that the Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Wine Red features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Ice King Linear creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, given its stiffer nature that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red is translucent and ideal for RGB lighting, while the Ice King Linear's nylon housing offers a classic look with its opaque finish.
Despite their differences, both the Ice King Linear and the Wine Red housing materials play a crucial role in the overall typing experience of these switches. The nylon housing of the Ice King Linear delivers a unique sound and feel, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red influences the sound when releasing a key, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound profile. While the Ice King Linear's nylon housing emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound, the Wine Red's polycarbonate housing creates a more precise and resonant typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Wine Red housing materials will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience. The nylon housing of the Ice King Linear offers a classic sound profile with a deeper and fuller tone, ideal for those who prefer a more muted typing experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate housing of the Wine Red provides a sharper and crisper sound profile, perfect for users seeking a clearer and more resonant typing feel. Both switches offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, allowing for a customizable typing experience tailored to individual preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it is evident that the Ice King Linear requires a slightly higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Wine Red's 44 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King Linear also has a higher requirement of 62 grams compared to the Wine Red's 55 grams. This means that the Ice King Linear switch would provide a slightly heavier typing experience overall compared to the Wine Red switch. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Wine Red for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may enjoy the more substantial typing experience offered by the heavier force of the Ice King Linear. Overall, both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range of actuation and bottom out forces, providing similar results in terms of typing feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the KTT Wine Red linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Ice King Linear offers a slightly shallower travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for a faster response time. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch provides a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, making it suitable for those who prefer a more substantial key press. Both switches offer different travel distances that cater to varying preferences in terms of responsiveness and key feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference for 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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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
The Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened and subtle typing experience. In contrast, the Wine Red switch delivers a bassy and low-pitched sound, with a deeper and richer tone during key presses. When it comes to feel, the Ice King Linear switch is known for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, offering smoothness and minimal resistance when typing. Unfortunately, there is no information available on the specific feel of the Wine Red switch. Overall, if you prefer a smoother and more refined typing experience with a subdued sound, the Ice King Linear switch would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deep and rich sound profile with potentially unknown feel characteristics, the Wine Red switch might be more to your liking. Keep in mind that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps. Ultimately, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on your personal preferences and setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Wine Red linear switches, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you are looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Ice King Linear might be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, the Wine Red switches could be more to your liking. Ultimately, whether you prioritize smoothness or a satisfying sound profile will guide you in choosing between these two switches.
Mentioned in this article
