Durock Ice King Tactile vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Mint offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience that blends the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the KTT Mint is lauded for its smooth linear feel and poppy thockiness, making typing on it a delight. While the Ice King Tactile is categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', the Mint falls under 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference 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
45g
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
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Mint is that the Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing, while the Mint has a polycarbonate top housing. Nylon is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for switches with clear housings that allow for RGB lighting. While both materials have their own unique sound characteristics, the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound and aesthetics.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Ice King Tactile and the KTT Mint feature nylon bottom housings, which are known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to their top housings. This consistency in material for the bottom housing ensures a cohesive sound experience throughout the typing process. The impact of the bottom housing is felt more when bottoming out a key, while the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, despite the differences in top housing materials between the two switches, the use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent sound profile that typists will appreciate.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Mint comes down to the specific sound profile and aesthetic preferences of the user. While the Ice King Tactile offers a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon top and bottom housings, the KTT Mint provides a sharper and crisper sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing. Both materials have their own unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience, making it important for users to consider their preferences for sound and aesthetics when choosing between the two switches. Ultimately, regardless of the differences in housing materials, both switches are designed to provide a high-quality typing experience that enthusiasts will appreciate.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, it is evident that they have different weight profiles. The Ice King Tactile has a higher actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Mint switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that the Ice King Tactile will provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier forces, while the Mint switch will offer a lighter and potentially more comfortable typing feel. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter Mint switch for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier Ice King Tactile for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired tactile feedback.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, we see that the Ice King has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Mint has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Ice King’s shorter travel distance may appeal to those looking for a quicker response time and a more sensitive typing experience, particularly favored by gamers. On the other hand, the Mint’s longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying tactile feel and a sense of depth when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. Despite having different travel distances, both switches offer unique experiences and can deliver precise and accurate typing results.
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 KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
In terms of sound, the Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened sound when pressed. This results in a more subtle and refined acoustic experience compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Mint switch is characterized by a low-pitched tone, delivering a bass-heavy and mellow sound. Additionally, the Mint switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Ultimately, the sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the tactile feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is praised for its silky and frictionless typing experience, offering exceptionally smooth key presses with minimal resistance. This switch is also described as stepped, providing a two-stage tactile feedback that is more subtle compared to hyper-tactile switches. Additionally, the polished finish of the Ice King Tactile switch enhances its overall typing feel, resulting in a sleek and refined experience. On the other hand, the Mint switch is highlighted for its mild tactile feedback, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Like the Ice King Tactile, the Mint switch also features a polished finish, promoting smooth key travel and reduced friction.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the KTT Mint switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Tactile excels in providing a creamy smooth tactile experience with a pronounced bump, while the Mint stand outs for its satisfyingly smooth linear characteristics. The Ice King Tactile switch emphasizes a subdued sound profile and a silky typing feel, whereas the Mint switch delivers a low-pitched sound with a mild tactile feedback. Both switches are polished for a refined typing experience, showcasing their attention to detail and premium quality. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a uniquely satisfying tactile typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, the Ice King Tactile would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth linear typing experience with a poppy thockiness, the Mint linear switch might be more suited to your preferences. Additionally, if you prefer a subdued sound profile and silky, frictionless typing feel, the Ice King Tactile would be more suitable, while if you prefer a low-pitched sound and a polished typing experience, the Mint linear switch could be the better option for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to your personal preferences in terms of typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
Mentioned in this article
