Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Outemu Cream Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Cream Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Cream Blue offer distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Tactile is renowned for its smooth and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience with a blend of smoothness and tactility. On the other hand, the Cream Blue, a clicky switch, is characterized by its click sound upon actuation, offering a more audible typing feedback. While the Ice King Tactile is known for its 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished' attributes, the Cream Blue does not have specific characteristics outlined. When choosing between these switches, consider the Ice King Tactile for a refined tactile experience and the Cream Blue for a more audible typing feedback. 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, both the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Cream Blue utilize nylon for their top and bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon housing. Therefore, both the Ice King Tactile and the Cream Blue switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound quality and feel.
However, while both switches use nylon for their housing material, the Ice King Tactile and the Cream Blue may differ in the specifics of their housing design. The qualities of the housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This could potentially lead to slight variations in sound and feel between the Ice King Tactile and the Cream Blue switches, depending on the design and construction of their respective housing components.
Overall, despite any potential differences in housing design, both the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Cream Blue switches are likely to offer a comparable typing experience due to their use of nylon housing material. Typing on switches with nylon housing will provide a deep and full sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience with a round and dull sound. Whether you choose the Ice King Tactile or the Cream Blue, you can expect a similar level of sound quality and typing feel attributed to the nylon housing material used in both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, we see that the Ice King Tactile has a slightly heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Cream Blue's 50 grams. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ice King Tactile requiring 68 grams and the Cream Blue needing 65 grams. The Ice King Tactile is slightly heavier overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Cream Blue offers a lighter actuation force, which may be preferred by those who value longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, while the differences may be subtle, they can make a significant impact on the typing experience depending on personal preference.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Outemu Cream Blue switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of responsiveness, the Ice King Tactile may be preferred by gamers for its shorter travel distance, allowing for faster response times. On the other hand, the Cream Blue switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying and robust keystroke feel for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for. Both switches will provide a tactile feedback, but the difference in travel distance may impact the overall typing 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 Outemu Cream Blue comes in at $3.10 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
The Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened and more subtle typing experience compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Cream Blue switch's sound profile is unknown. Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Tactile is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance and a fluid key travel. Unfortunately, the feel of the Cream Blue switch is not provided. Overall, the Ice King Tactile switch excels in delivering a uniquely satisfying tactile typing experience with a blend of smoothness and pronounced tactile feedback, while the subjective qualities of the Cream Blue switch remain unknown. If considering these factors, opting for the Ice King Tactile switch would likely result in a more consistent and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Cream Blue switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, then the Ice King Tactile is the way to go. Its rare combination of smoothness and tactility creates a unique and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with a distinct sound profile, the Cream Blue might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. Regardless of your decision, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience.
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