Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow offer unique experiences for users seeking different sensations while typing. The Ice King Tactile is celebrated for its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience that blends the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches stand out with their Creamsicle-colored design and captivating sound profile that makes typing feel indulgent, thanks to their rich, bassy sound. While the Ice King Tactile offers a symphony of touch with its stepped and polished feel, the Sunset Yellow switches impress with their distinct gliding feel and responsive typing 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
43g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Ly
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
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile features a nylon top and bottom housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow utilizes POM top and bottom housings, which produce a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper and relatively more muted side. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, they each achieve a similar result in creating a satisfying typing experience.
In terms of their top housing materials, the Ice King Tactile's nylon housing absorbs more sound than the harder plastics typically used in switches, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In comparison, the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile that is considered incredibly pleasing. While the materials differ, both switches aim to provide a typing experience that is smooth and consistent, with a focus on creating a fuller sound that enhances the overall tactile feedback.
The bottom housing of these switches plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel experienced when pressing down on a key. The Ice King Tactile's nylon bottom housing, like its top housing, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Similarly, the Sunset Yellow's POM bottom housing enhances the overall sound profile of the switch, creating a unique and satisfying typing experience. Despite the differences in material, both switches prioritize sound quality and tactile feedback, showcasing the importance of housing materials in delivering an exceptional typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch differ in terms of 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 comparison, the Sunset Yellow has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, offering a medium-light feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Sunset Yellow for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, while individuals seeking a stronger push and more substantial typing experience may opt for the Ice King Tactile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2mm. In this case, the Ice King Tactile has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sunset Yellow. Gamers may prefer the Ice King Tactile for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance. However, some users may find the Sunset Yellow more comfortable due to its slightly shallower travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch produces a bassy and thocky sound profile, characterized by deeper and richer tones resembling the depth of bass tones. Depending on personal preference, the Ice King Tactile switch may be preferred for those looking for a quieter typing experience, while the Sunset Yellow switch is ideal for individuals who enjoy a more pronounced and satisfying sound with each key press.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. The tactile bump in these switches provides a unique touch and feel, enhancing the overall typing experience with minimal resistance. Similarly, the Sunset Yellow switch is also characterized by a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, allowing for a smooth and buttery typing experience. The distinct gliding feel of the Sunset Yellow switch, combined with the medium-weight and short travel distance, ensures a highly responsive and effortless typing experience.
Overall, both the Ice King Tactile and Sunset Yellow switches offer excellent subjective qualities that cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Ice King Tactile switch excels in providing a more subdued sound and a pronounced tactile bump for a uniquely satisfying tactile experience, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy sound profile and a distinct gliding feel with a combination of short travel and a long-pole stem for a highly responsive typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, but both will provide a remarkable and enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Ice King Tactile or the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a pronounced bump and a sublime typing experience, the Ice King Tactile is the way to go. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-light linear switch with a rich, bassy sound profile and a smooth gliding feel, the Sunset Yellow is more up your alley. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so it's essential to consider what features are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Ice King Tactile and the Sunset Yellow will depend on your individual typing preferences and the experience you're looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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