Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Kailh Sage stand out as popular options, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience that seamlessly blends the worlds of smoothness and tactility. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage is lauded for its distinct clicky typing experience, with a heavy weight and sharp clickiness that adds a satisfying crunch to each keystroke. While the Ice King Tactile is described as 'silky', 'frictionless', 'subdued', 'stepped', and 'polished', the Sage is labeled as 'invigorating', 'sharp', and 'crunchy'. Both switches offer compelling reasons to consider them, 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
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile and the Kailh Sage both feature nylon bottom housings, which means that typing on switches that use nylon will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile has a nylon top housing, while the Sage has a polycarbonate top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Sage creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile.
Both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, which means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. However, where they differ is in their top housing material. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing will provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Sage's polycarbonate top housing will offer a sharper and crisper sound profile. Interestingly, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly useful for switches with RGB lighting, offering a visually appealing addition to the typing experience.
While the nylon bottom housing of both switches will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound when typing, the top housing material will play a significant role in the overall sound profile of each switch. The split between the bottom and top housings means that the qualities of each material will impact different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing will have more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between the Ice King Tactile and the Kailh Sage will depend on whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile or a sharper and crisper sound profile when typing.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is evident that both switches fall under the medium-heavy category. The Ice King Tactile has an actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, while the Sage has an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 70 grams. This makes the Sage slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Ice King Tactile may be the better option, as its actuation force is lower. On the other hand, those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Sage for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is slightly shorter than the Kailh Sage clicky switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While the difference between the two is minimal, it may still be noticeable to some users. The Ice King Tactile may offer a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for a fast and responsive keyboard. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch may provide a more satisfying and in-depth typing experience for those who prefer a longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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 more subdued typing experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This results in a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch is described as having a crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. The Sage definitely provides a more pronounced and sharp clickiness compared to the Ice King Tactile, which may suit those looking for a more audibly satisfying typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is said to offer a silky and frictionless typing experience, with a polished finish that enhances smoothness and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the tactile bump is described as stepped, providing a mild two-stage sensation as opposed to a single large bump. Conversely, the Kailh Sage switch is characterized as invigorating and sharp, offering pronounced feedback, firm actuation force, and a snappy, reactive feel. The strong and crisp tactile bump of the Sage switch is notable and distinct with each keypress.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Kailh Sage switch offer distinctly different tactile and auditory experiences. The Ice King Tactile excels in providing a smooth and refined typing feel with a more subdued sound profile, while the Kailh Sage delivers a more intense and crunchy clicky experience with invigorating feedback. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches would depend on whether the user prefers a softer, more nuanced typing experience with the Ice King Tactile or a louder, more pronounced clicky feel with the Kailh Sage.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Kailh Sage switches, you should consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth and refined tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, then the Ice King Tactile would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a distinct clicky typing experience with a sharp tactile feedback, then the Sage switch would suit your preferences better. Additionally, if you prefer a more subdued sound and silky feel, the Ice King Tactile may be more to your liking. Conversely, if you prefer a crunchy sound and an invigorating, sharp feel, the Sage switch might be the better option for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what qualities in a switch are most important to you in enhancing your overall typing experience.
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