Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Zuoce Lavender present interesting options with their unique characteristics. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying typing experience that blends the best of both worlds. On the other hand, the Lavender stands out for its exceptional smoothness and crisp, clacky sound signature. While the Ice King Tactile offers a symphony of touch with a subtle tactile feedback, the Lavender provides an easy-to-press feel with a distinct sound profile. Both switches have their own appeal and advantages, catering to different preferences in typing experience. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
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
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Zuoce Lavender switches offer slightly different sound profiles and tactile feedback. 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. In contrast, the Lavender switch utilizes a POM top housing that produces a unique and pleasing sound, although it is relatively more muted. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but the Ice King Tactile may provide a slightly rounder and duller sound compared to the Lavender switch.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ice King Tactile and the Lavender switches use different materials to impact the overall sound and feel of the switch. The Ice King Tactile's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Lavender switch's POM bottom housing also adds to the switch's deeper sound profile, with a relatively more muted tone. Despite the differences in bottom housing materials, both switches aim to provide a satisfying tactile experience with unique sound characteristics.
While the Ice King Tactile and the Zuoce Lavender switches have distinct housing materials for their top and bottom housing, the overall typing experience may have similar results. The combination of nylon and POM materials in each switch creates a different sound profile, with the Ice King offering a deeper and fuller sound, while the Lavender provides a more unique and muted tone. Despite these differences, both switches aim to offer a tactile typing experience that is enjoyable and responsive for users looking for a specific sound and feel in their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Zuoce Lavender linear switch. The Ice King Tactile requires 58 grams of force to actuate and 68 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Lavender switch has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, classifying it as medium-light. For those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, the Ice King Tactile would be the preferred choice due to its heavier forces. However, for those who prefer a lighter touch to type for longer periods or during gaming sessions, the Lavender switch would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall in the shorter travel distance range, which is favored by gamers looking for quicker response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be very noticeable in everyday use. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, you might lean towards the Ice King Tactile with its slightly longer travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a more abrupt and snappy feel, the Lavender switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional options and are suitable for those looking for a more responsive typing or gaming experience.
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 Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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 subdued typing experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This creates a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches, adding a level of sophistication to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Lavender switch is known for its clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy noise with each press. This crisp and bright sound makes for an engaging and satisfying typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance and enhances overall smoothness. With a frictionless and polished finish, this switch provides a fluid travel for each key press, resulting in a premium typing feel. On the other hand, the Lavender switch is known for being easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions while still maintaining a responsive and low-impact typing feel.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Zuoce Lavender switch offer unique and distinct qualities when it comes to sound and feel. While the Ice King Tactile excels in providing a creamy smoothness with a pronounced tactile bump, the Lavender stands out for its exceptional smoothness and clacky sound signature. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences in typing experience, ensuring that users will get equally satisfying results based on their personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch that offers a satisfying tactile experience with a creamy smoothness and pronounced bump, the Durock Ice King Tactile would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you lean towards a medium-light linear switch known for exceptional smoothness right out of the box with a crisp and clacky sound signature, the Zuoce Lavender would be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and preferred level of actuation force when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, both the Ice King Tactile and Lavender switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best aligns with your typing needs.
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