Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Gateron Ink Box Pink
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Box Pink stand out as popular options for different typing preferences. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its blend of creamy smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, delivering a satisfying typing experience with finesse. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink offers a smooth and light typing feel, with a higher-pitched clack sound for a unique touch. While the Ice King Tactile is known for its subdued and stepped feel, the Ink Box Pink stands out for its clacky nature and polished finish. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences, making it important to consider your typing style and preferences when choosing between them. 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
58g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Box Pink both offer unique sound profiles due to their respective materials. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, creating a duller and rounder typing experience. In contrast, the Ink Box Pink's proprietary INK blend top housing produces a pointed and high-pitched sound, described as clacky. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, they cater to different preferences in typing sound.
The bottom housings of the Ice King Tactile and the Ink Box Pink also play a significant role in the overall typing experience. The nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Tactile, like its top housing, contributes to a deep and full sound profile. Conversely, the proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Box Pink produces a high-pitched sound, complementing the top housing's characteristics. Despite their differences, both bottom housings enhance the overall typing sound and feel of each switch, albeit in different ways.
Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the typing experience. While the Ice King Tactile and the Ink Box Pink may have different housing materials, they both offer a unique typing sound that caters to different preferences. The split qualities of the housings allow for a nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon key release. Whether opting for the softer and fuller sound of nylon in the Ice King Tactile or the clacky high-pitched sound of the INK blend in the Ink Box Pink, users can customize their typing experience based on their preferred sound profile.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch which has an actuation force of 50 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force that is only marginally different, with the Ice King Tactile requiring 68 grams and the Ink Box Pink requiring 60 grams. The Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Ink Box Pink offers a lighter touch with its medium actuation and bottom out forces, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is 3.5 mm, whereas the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Ink Box Pink being slightly longer than the Ice King Tactile. In terms of comparison, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal and may not be noticeable to all users. For those who prefer a faster response time, the Ice King Tactile with its shorter travel distance may be the preferred choice. However, for users who enjoy a deeper keystroke feel, the Ink Box Pink's slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance, making them suitable for those looking for a quicker keypress without sacrificing too much depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Tactile 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 Tactile for $4.20.
The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Pink for $7.65.
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 Tactile switch offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy noise when activated. If you prefer a quieter typing experience, the Ice King Tactile may be more suitable, while the Ink Box Pink can cater to those who enjoy a more crisp and bright sound.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Ice King Tactile and the Ink Box Pink are described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. Additionally, the Ice King Tactile is noted for its frictionless and stepped feel, providing a unique tactile sensation with a pronounced bump in the keystroke. Similarly, the Ink Box Pink is also praised for its smoothness and refined finish, ensuring a sleek typing experience.
Considering all the available information, the Durock Ice King Tactile and Gateron Ink Box Pink switches both excel in providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience. While the Ice King Tactile offers a more subdued sound and unique tactile feel with a pronounced bump, the Ink Box Pink delivers a clacky and higher-pitched sound profile along with a silky and polished typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, but either option guarantees a premium mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pronounced tactile bump that merges smoothness with a satisfying tactile experience, the Ice King Tactile is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing feel with a medium bottom out force and a smoother, clacky sound profile, the Ink Box Pink switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer a silky and polished typing feel, but the Ice King Tactile provides a unique stepped tactile experience while the Gateron Ink Box Pink offers a slightly higher-pitched clack. Ultimately, it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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