Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Haimu Neo White offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Ice King Tactile is lauded for its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying typing experience with a symphony of touch. On the other hand, the Neo White switches provide a medium weight with slightly reduced total travel, resulting in a smooth actuation and a distinct typing feel. While the Ice King Tactile excels in offering a tactile typing experience, the Neo White's smooth actuation sets it apart. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Haimu Neo White switches offer distinct characteristics that affect both sound profile and typing experience. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic nature, absorbing more sound and creating a rounder tone. In contrast, the Neo White's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, attributed to its stiffer plastic composition. This results in a difference in sound profile between the switches, with the Ice King Tactile offering a duller sound compared to the Neo White's more resonant tone.
Both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to the deeper and fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon material. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel between the Ice King Tactile and the Neo White switches. However, the difference in top housing material, with the Ice King Tactile utilizing nylon and the Neo White using polycarbonate, creates a notable distinction in sound profile. The transparency of polycarbonate in the Neo White allows for RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch while also affecting its sound profile.
The split between top and bottom housing materials in the switches plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of each key press. The qualities of the bottom housing material, whether nylon in the Ice King Tactile or Neo White, impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the top housing material, whether nylon in the Ice King Tactile or polycarbonate in the Neo White, influences the sound when releasing a key. This division of housing materials highlights the importance of considering both top and bottom housing characteristics when selecting switches for a desired typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Haimu Neo White linear switch, which doesn't disclose its actuation force. However, the Ice King Tactile has a heavier bottom out force of 68 grams compared to the Neo White's 58 grams. This means that the Ice King Tactile will provide a more significant push feel during typing than the Neo White. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Neo White may be the better option, while the Ice King Tactile is suitable for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, while the Haimu Neo White linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6mm. Although the difference in travel distance is minimal, the Neo White linear switch technically has a longer distance to travel compared to the Ice King Tactile switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches may come down to personal preference, with the Ice King Tactile offering a slightly shorter and potentially more responsive feel, while the Neo White linear switch provides a tad more depth for those who prefer a bit more feedback.
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 Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued experience, producing a dampened sound that is still noticeable but more subtle compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of users and settings. Both switches provide a pleasant typing experience in terms of sound, but the Ice King Tactile may be preferred for those looking for a quieter option.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump. In contrast, the Haimu Neo White switch provides a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable to most users. While the Ice King Tactile switch boasts a more intricate tactile feel with multiple stages of feedback, the Neo White switch offers a simpler yet effective typing experience that is comfortable for extended use.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Haimu Neo White switch both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Ice King Tactile excels in providing a complex tactile typing experience with a subdued sound, while the Neo White offers a smooth and gentle linear feel with a neutral sound profile. Depending on your preferred typing experience, both switches can provide satisfactory results, ensuring a pleasant and satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Haimu Neo White switches, it all comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you are looking for a tactile switch that offers a unique blend of smoothness and pronounced tactility, the Ice King Tactile would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly reduced total travel and a smooth actuation, the Neo White would be more suitable for you. Consider your typing preferences, whether you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force or a medium one, and the sound and feel descriptors that resonate with you the most. Ultimately, both switches offer a quality typing experience, so you can't go wrong with either choice.
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