Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie stand out as distinctive options for different preferences. The Ice King Tactile is renowned for its blend of creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, offering a satisfying typing experience that combines the best of both worlds seamlessly. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie boasts an all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lighter touch. While the Ice King Tactile is characterized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', the Gateron Smoothie is described as 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but 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
40g
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
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie features POM housings for both the top and bottom, resulting in a unique and muted sound that leans towards the deeper side. While both switches offer a pleasing sound profile, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
In terms of construction, the Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie share similarities in their use of different housing materials for the top and bottom housings. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound upon release, while the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. Similarly, the Smoothie's POM top housing creates a relatively muted sound upon release, while the bottom housing influences the overall typing experience. Despite the differences in material, both switches aim to provide a unique sound profile that caters to the preferences of keyboard enthusiasts.
While the Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie may vary in their housing materials, they both offer a satisfying typing experience through the combination of their top and bottom housings. The nylon top and bottom housings of the Ice King Tactile result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the POM housings of the Smoothie create a more muted and pleasing sound. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to individual preferences in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Whether you prefer the softer and fuller sound of nylon or the unique and muted sound of POM, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience for enthusiasts seeking a high-quality keyboard switch.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Ice King Tactile switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, the Ice King Tactile switch has a bottom out force of 68 grams, while the Smoothie switch's bottom out force is unknown. This indicates that the Ice King Tactile switch is heavier overall, providing a more substantial typing experience. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Smoothie switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may appreciate the heavier actuation force of the Ice King Tactile switch for a more pronounced tactile response. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch is 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. The difference between the two is minor, with the Smoothie having a slightly longer travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Ice King Tactile for its slightly faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more solid feel may lean towards the Smoothie with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, so the choice between the two may come down to personal preference in terms of feel and response speed.
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 Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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 that provides a dampened and subtle signature when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying tone when keys are pressed and released. While the Ice King Tactile provides a more muted experience, the Smoothie switch offers a more pronounced and unique auditory feedback. The sound produced by each switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard used and the keycaps attached.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Ice King Tactile switch is renowned for its silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished typing experience. These qualities contribute to enhanced smoothness and a minimal sense of resistance or friction when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch offers a buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience that is smooth, effortless, and uniform. Both switches prioritize providing a comfortable and enjoyable tactile sensation while typing, catering to different preferences in terms of feel.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Tactile provides a more subtle sound with a silky and polished typing experience, while the Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound and a buttery feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches excel in providing a satisfying typing experience. If one is looking for a more subdued and smooth typing experience, the Ice King Tactile switch may be the preferred choice, while those seeking a deeper sound and buttery feel may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie switch. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and can deliver a pleasant typing experience based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Gateron Smoothie, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile would be a great choice for you. Its silky, frictionless feel and subdued sound signature provide a satisfying tactile typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no bottom out force and a thocky, low-pitched sound, along with a buttery and creamy typing feel, the Gateron Smoothie would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to your personal preference for tactility, sound, and typing feel.
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