Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, offering a unique and satisfying typing experience that blends the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers linear switches are known for their shorter activation and long pole stem, providing a great typing feel with a creamy sound signature. The Ice King Tactile is characterized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', while the Splash Brothers is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, whether you prefer a tactile experience or a snappy linear feel. 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
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches differ in terms of the top housing material used. The Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the nylon. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers uses a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a sharper and crisper sound profile because of the stiffness of the polycarbonate. While both materials have their own unique sound characteristics, the choice between the two will ultimately depend on individual preferences for typing sound.
In contrast, the bottom housing material of both the Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches is nylon. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics. Despite the switches having different top housing materials, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a similarity in the typing experience in terms of sound profile. Therefore, if one prefers the sound produced by nylon housing material, they can expect similar results from both the Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches is primarily influenced by the housing material used for the top housing. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers provides a sharper and crisper sound. However, the shared nylon bottom housing of both switches ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preferences for sound characteristics and typing feel.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, which does not have a specified actuation force. However, the Ice King Tactile also has a higher bottom out force of 68 grams, whereas the Splash Brothers has a lower bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Ice King Tactile switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke and to fully press the key down compared to the Splash Brothers switch. In terms of weight, the Ice King Tactile is heavier overall, making it more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers is lighter, which may be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distances, it is evident that both switches offer a similar typing experience with the same amount of key travel. This means that whether you choose the Ice King Tactile or the Splash Brothers, you can expect to receive similar results in terms of key press feel and travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with a consistent travel distance, making them ideal choices for those who prefer a standard key press 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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
When it comes to sound, the Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued and dampened noise when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. Depending on your choice of board and keycaps, the sound of each switch can be further customized to suit your preferences.
Moving on to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance. In comparison, the Splash Brothers switch is characterized as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and also polished, providing a gentle and responsive typing feel that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. Both switches excel in their own unique ways, providing users with a comfortable typing experience that enhances productivity and satisfaction.
In conclusion, while the Ice King Tactile and Jwick Splash Brothers switches offer different sound profiles and tactile feels, they both excel in providing a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer a pronounced tactile bump with a creamy sound signature or a responsive linear switch with a neutral sound profile, both options cater to different preferences and typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the Ice King Tactile and Splash Brothers switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, consider the following factors. If you value a medium-heavy tactile experience with a pronounced bump and creamy smoothness, opt for the Ice King Tactile. This switch offers a unique tactile typing experience that blends the best of both worlds. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with a shorter activation and a creamy sound signature, the Splash Brothers linear switch may be more to your liking. It provides a great typing feel with a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various typing preferences. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you prioritize a tactile typing experience with the Ice King Tactile or a smooth linear feel with the Splash Brothers. Consider your typing preferences and decide accordingly.
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