Durock Ice King Tactile vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon 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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Ice King Tactile offers a creamy smoothness coupled with a pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a satisfying tactile typing experience that merges the best of both worlds with finesse. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon from KTT showcases a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design, making it a standout linear switch option. Each switch has its own unique characteristics and benefits, whether you prefer a tactile typing feel or a smooth linear experience. 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
53g
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
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, we see notable differences in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing, known for its softer nature which absorbs sound and produces a deeper, fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon features a polycarbonate top housing, a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and clearer sound profile. While the Ice King Tactile offers a more muted and round sound, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a crisper and resonant sound experience due to the properties of their respective top housings.
Interestingly, despite their differences in top housing material, both switches use nylon for their bottom housing. This consistency in bottom housing material means that both the Ice King Tactile and the Sea Salt Lemon share similar characteristics in terms of the impact on bottom-out sound and feel. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound and creates a duller, rounder sound profile, contributing to a similar typing experience across both switches. This commonality in bottom housing allows typists to enjoy a deeper and fuller sound profile when using either the Ice King Tactile or the Sea Salt Lemon.
While the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Ice King Tactile and the Sea Salt Lemon, the qualities of each material play a significant role in the overall sound profile of the switches. The split between the softer nylon bottom housing and the stiffer polycarbonate top housing results in distinct typing experiences for each switch. When pressing down on the switch, typists will feel the impact of the bottom housing, while the release of a key will showcase the characteristics of the top housing material. This unique combination of housing materials allows for a diverse range of sound profiles and tactile experiences, catering to a variety of preferences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch reveals some differences in weight. The Ice King Tactile has a heavier actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light option. The Ice King Tactile would be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon would be suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a slightly longer travel distance than the Ice King Tactile switch. The difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the typing or gaming experience based on personal preferences. Gamers who value faster response times may prefer the Ice King Tactile switch with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more pronounced key press may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to individual preference and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
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 Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 Durock Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound when pressed, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature unlike most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch produces a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creating a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various purposes. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Ice King Tactile being more subdued and the Sea Salt Lemon offering a mix of low-pitched tones.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. With a pronounced tactile bump, these switches offer a satisfying tactile feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In comparison, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, featuring a gentle feel that falls within a safe middle ground zone. While the Ice King Tactile excels in providing a unique tactile experience, the Sea Salt Lemon focuses on delivering a smooth and effortless typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch both offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Ice King Tactile excels in providing a pronounced tactile bump with a smooth and refined typing experience, while the Sea Salt Lemon focuses on delivering a buttery smooth feel with a gentle typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer a unique typing experience that will elevate your mechanical keyboard setup to new heights. Whether you prefer a subdued and tactile experience or a low-pitched and smooth feel, both switches provide quality options for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches, consider your preferences for bottom out force, tactile vs. linear typing experience, sound profile, and overall feel. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a uniquely satisfying tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, then the Ice King Tactile is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, then the Sea Salt Lemon is the ideal choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you prefer and which characteristics align best with your individual preferences.
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