Durock Ice King Tactile vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Purple Star mechanical keyboard switches, we see a clear distinction between the two. The Ice King Tactile boasts a creamy smoothness with a pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience that blends the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the Purple Star switches are renowned for their buttery smooth typing experience and light 45g bottom-out, making them an ideal choice for those who prefer a light touch. While the Ice King Tactile offers a unique symphony of touch, the Purple Star provides a comfortable and easy-to-press typing experience. Both switches have their own qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
58g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile features nylon top and bottom housing, which create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic absorbing more sound. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star utilizes POM top and bottom housing, resulting in a unique and pleasing sound profile with a deeper tone that is relatively more muted compared to nylon. While both switches provide a deeper sound profile, the Ice King Tactile might offer a duller and rounder sound due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties, whereas the Purple Star's POM housing creates a more distinct and muted sound.
Despite the differences in material, both the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Purple Star provide a unique sound experience for users. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile contributes to a richer and deeper sound profile upon keypress, while the POM top housing of the Purple Star creates a more muted and distinct sound. Similarly, the differences in bottom housing materials also play a role in the overall sound experience of the switches, with the Durock Ice King Tactile offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the relatively more muted sound of the Purple Star.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Purple Star comes down to personal preference in sound profiles. Both switches offer unique and pleasing sound experiences, with the Ice King Tactile providing a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon housing, while the Purple Star offers a more muted and distinct sound with its POM housing. Whether you prefer a duller and rounder sound or a deeper and more muted tone, both switches deliver high-quality performance with their respective housing materials.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the KTT Purple Star's lighter actuation force of 43 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile requires 68 grams, while the Purple Star only needs 50 grams. The Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Purple Star is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it a better choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods. Both switches offer different typing experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to different preferences.
Travel distance
The Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent tactile or linear response, depending on personal preference, while providing a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance. The comparable travel distance of these switches ensures that users can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel and response, making them equally suitable options for different typing preferences.
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 Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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, giving off a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Purple Star switch produces a low-pitched and mellow tone with a bass-heavy quality. Depending on your choice of board and keycaps, the sound of each switch can be further influenced.
Moving on to the feel, the Ice King Tactile switch provides a silky and frictionless typing experience, enhancing smoothness and minimizing resistance. It also offers a stepped feel, meaning it has two stages and a polished finish for a sleek typing experience. Conversely, the Purple Star switch is described as mild and easy-to-press, providing a gentle typing feel with minimal force required for activation. This switch aims to offer a comfortable and effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended use.
Overall, the Ice King Tactile switch emphasizes smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump for a uniquely satisfying tactile experience, while the Purple Star switch focuses on a buttery smooth typing feel with a light actuation force. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, so choosing between them would depend on whether you prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback or a smoother typing experience. Yet, both switches are likely to provide a satisfactory typing experience based on their respective qualities.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Purple Star switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you prioritize a medium-heavy tactile bump with a silky, frictionless feel and a slightly subdued sound, the Ice King Tactile may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter, easy-to-press switch with a buttery smooth feel and a low-pitched sound, the Purple Star switch may be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and what feels most comfortable to you.
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