Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Kiki Red offer distinctive features catering to different preferences. The Ice King Tactile is revered for its seamless blend of creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a uniquely satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Kiki Red switches from BSUN are known for their finely-tuned, clacky nuance without being overly loud, thanks to their POM housings and Ly stems. The Ice King Tactile is categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', 'Polished', while the Kiki Red is labeled as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Snappy', 'Easy-to-press'. Ultimately, choosing the right switch for you will depend on your personal preferences and typing style; 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
42g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Ly
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
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Kiki Red both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Kiki Red uses a POM top housing, which also provides a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and relatively more muted. While both switches offer a deep sound profile, the difference in materials may result in slightly different sound characteristics.
In terms of bottom housing, the Ice King Tactile and the Kiki Red continue to differentiate themselves. The Ice King Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to its top housing. Conversely, the Kiki Red utilizes a POM bottom housing, which also creates a unique sound profile on the deeper side that is relatively more muted. The choice of bottom housing material can impact the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed, adding another layer of complexity to the comparison between the two switches.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Kiki Red, both switches aim to provide a unique and satisfying typing experience. While the Ice King Tactile's nylon housing absorbs more sound for a duller and rounder sound, the Kiki Red's POM housing offers a deeper and more muted sound profile. In both cases, the choice of housing material plays a significant role in determining the overall sound and feel of the switch, showcasing the importance of material selection in mechanical keyboard switches. Ultimately, whether one prefers the deeper sound of the Ice King Tactile or the more muted sound of the Kiki Red will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams. The bottom out force of the Ice King Tactile is also heavier at 68 grams, while the Kiki Red has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Ice King Tactile a medium-heavy switch, providing a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Kiki Red is a lighter switch, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, both switches have very similar travel distances, so you can expect comparable results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Typically, a shorter travel distance is favored by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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 Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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 Ice King Tactile switch offers a more subdued typing experience compared to the clacky nature of the Kiki Red switch. The Ice King Tactile provides a dampened sound that is not completely silent but offers a more subtle sound signature, while the Kiki Red produces a sharp and snappy sound, described as crisp, bright, and percussive. Your choice of keyboard and keycaps will also influence the overall sound profile of the switches.
In terms of feel, both the Ice King Tactile and Kiki Red switches offer a smooth and frictionless typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined feel with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Kiki Red switch is creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, offering a buttery smooth typing experience with gentle resistance and a responsive feel. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable and effortless typing experience for users who appreciate finesse in performance.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Tactile and Bsun Kiki Red switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Tactile provides a more subdued sound with a silky and polished typing feel that emphasizes smoothness and finesse, while the Kiki Red switch offers a clacky sound with a creamy and easy-to-press feel that prioritizes responsiveness and buttery smoothness. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a unique tactile experience that blends smoothness with a pronounced bump, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter bottom out force and a balance of high-pitched, clacky sound along with medium-light weighting for a subtle auditory feedback, the Bsun Kiki Red switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for bottom out force, tactile versus linear feel, and the type of sound and feedback you desire in your typing experience.
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