Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Milk Tea both fall under the tactile category, offering a unique typing experience for users. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying typing sensation. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea doesn't have a specific standout feature but still offers a tactile feel. While the Ice King Tactile is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', the Milk Tea lacks specific descriptors. When choosing between these two switches, considering the Ice King Tactile for its refined tactile experience may be appealing, while the Milk Tea remains a viable option for a more understated typing feel. 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
N/A
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
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Ly
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
The Ice King Tactile and Outemu Milk Tea switches both use nylon for their top housing material, resulting in a similar feel and sound profile. Nylon is known for its softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound and creates a duller, rounder sound when typing. This makes typing on both switches a satisfying experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, even though they share the same top housing material, the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing is specifically designed to elicit a deeper sound profile, while the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks.
On the other hand, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing material as well. The nylon bottom housing contributes to the overall sound profile by absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder sound. This consistent use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings of the Ice King Tactile and the Milk Tea ensures a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. However, the impact of the bottom housing material on the bottom-out sound and feel may be slightly different between the two switches, as the Ice King Tactile is designed for a deeper sound profile while the Milk Tea offers a brighter sound signature.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Milk Tea are similar, with both switches using nylon for both the top and bottom housings, they offer slightly different sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Milk Tea offers a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel when typing.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile requires 68 grams, while the Milk Tea force is unknown. This makes the Milk Tea switch lighter in terms of actuation force, but the Ice King Tactile is heavier when bottoming out. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Milk Tea switch may be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, making it suitable for those who prefer a heavier force for their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that the Ice King Tactile has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Milk Tea's 4 mm. The difference may seem minimal, but it can significantly impact the typing or gaming experience depending on individual preferences. The Ice King Tactile's shorter travel distance might appeal to those seeking a faster response time, such as gamers, while the Milk Tea's longer travel distance could provide a more satisfying and deliberate keypress for those who prefer a deeper feel. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics, and the choice between the two would depend on personal preference in terms of travel distance.
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 Milk Tea 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
In terms of sound, the Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, there is no information available regarding the sound profile of the Milk Tea switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with a defined tactile bump. This combination provides a satisfying feel while typing, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, there is no information available about the tactile feel of the Milk Tea switch.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch stands out for its unique blend of smoothness, pronounced tactile bump, and refined finish, creating a satisfying and premium tactile typing experience. While there is limited information on the Outemu Milk Tea switch, if the tactile feel and sound profile are similar to the Ice King Tactile switch, users can expect a similarly enjoyable typing experience with smooth key travel and a subdued sound. As always, individual preferences play a significant role in selecting the right switch for an optimal typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches, consider the type of tactile experience you prefer. If you are looking for a medium-heavy tactile switch that offers a unique blend of smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, the Ice King Tactile may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking a switch with an unknown bottom out force and a yet to be determined tactile experience, the Milk Tea may be worth exploring further. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of tactile feedback that best suits your typing style.
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