Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice offer unique experiences for users. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying typing experience that blends the best of both worlds. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches are known for their bright and clacky characteristics, along with a light touch that makes typing feel energetic and responsive. Choosing between these switches really depends on what type of typing experience you are looking for. 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
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 and Jerrzi Salt Ice both feature different housing materials for their top and bottom components. The Ice King Tactile utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, while the Salt Ice uses polycarbonate for both components. The nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound due to its softer nature. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Salt Ice produces a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is highlighted in the Salt Ice, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, while the nylon of the Ice King Tactile offers a classic and understated appearance.
While the top and bottom housings of the Ice King Tactile and Salt Ice switches differ in material, they both impact the overall sound profile and feel of typing. The split qualities of the housing materials mean that the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. The deeper and fuller sound attributed to the nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile contrasts with the sharper and crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate housing of the Salt Ice. These differences in housing materials contribute to variations in sound and typing experience between the two switches.
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and Jerrzi Salt Ice, it becomes apparent how the choice of nylon or polycarbonate can significantly impact the sound profile and feel of a mechanical switch. The softer nature of nylon in the Ice King Tactile creates a duller and rounder sound, whereas the stiffer polycarbonate in the Salt Ice results in a more clear and resonant sound. The differences extend to aesthetics as well, with the translucency of polycarbonate catering to RGB lighting setups in the Salt Ice, while the classic look of nylon in the Ice King Tactile offers a timeless appearance. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in defining the overall typing experience and sound characteristics of these two switches.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch which has an actuation force of 45 grams, making the Salt Ice lighter in terms of actuation force. However, the Ice King Tactile requires a heavier bottom out force of 68 grams compared to the Salt Ice which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that while the Salt Ice may feel lighter to activate, the Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to individuals who prefer lighter or heavier keypresses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for each keystroke.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0mm standard. Gamers might lean towards the Ice King Tactile for its slightly longer travel distance, offering a bit more depth for key presses. On the other hand, those looking for quick response times might prefer the Salt Ice linear switch with its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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, creating a more muted typing experience compared to most switches, which can be appealing for those looking for a quieter option. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Salt Ice switch are unknown, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in terms of sound. Keep in mind that sound is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Tactile provides a silky and frictionless typing experience, characterized by its exceptionally smooth keystrokes and minimal resistance. Additionally, the stepped design of the switch offers a distinct tactile feedback with two stages, providing a nuanced typing feel. In contrast, information on the feel of the Salt Ice switch is unavailable. Therefore, it's challenging to compare the tactile qualities of the Ice King Tactile and Salt Ice switches in this aspect.
Taking all available information into account, the Ice King Tactile switch stands out for its unique blend of smoothness and pronounced tactile feedback, offering a premium tactile typing experience that merges creamy smoothness with a satisfying tactile bump. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switch is highlighted by its bright and clacky characteristics, coupled with a light touch for energetic and responsive typing. If you prefer a subdued sound profile and appreciate a silky, frictionless typing experience with a stepped tactile feedback, the Ice King Tactile switch may be the ideal choice for you. If you are looking for vibrant feedback and effortless actuation in a linear switch, the Salt Ice switch could be the perfect fit for your typing preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the Ice King Tactile and Salt Ice switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches, consider your typing preferences and priorities. If you appreciate a tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, characterized by smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, then the Ice King Tactile may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with bright and clacky characteristics, accompanied by a light touch and vibrant feedback, the Salt Ice could be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force.
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