Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue 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 Tourmaline Blue stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, offering a satisfying typing experience that combines the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is known for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a bouncy feel with each keystroke thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. Although the Ice King Tactile is categorized as silky, frictionless, subdued, stepped, polished, the Tourmaline Blue falls under buttery, easy-to-press, mild, neutral. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal to different preferences. 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
59g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and Everglide Tourmaline Blue differ in terms of the materials used for both the top and bottom housings. The Ice King Tactile utilizes a softer nylon material for both the top and bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue employs a stiffer polycarbonate material for both the top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in housing materials directly affects the sound and feel of typing on these switches.
While the top housing of the Ice King Tactile and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in material, with nylon for the Ice King Tactile and polycarbonate for the Tourmaline Blue, the bottom housing remains consistent with nylon for both switches. This means that the typing experience on these switches will share similar characteristics in terms of the sound produced when bottoming out a key. However, the top housing material plays a crucial role in the sound projection when releasing a key, with the Ice King Tactile offering a duller and rounder sound due to nylon and the Tourmaline Blue providing a clearer and more resonant sound due to polycarbonate.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches like the Durock Ice King Tactile and Everglide Tourmaline Blue significantly impacts the typing experience. The use of nylon in the Ice King Tactile creates a distinct sound profile that is deeper and fuller, while the polycarbonate material in the Tourmaline Blue results in a sharper and crisper sound. The combination of top and bottom housing materials in these switches influences both the sound when pressing down and releasing a key, allowing enthusiasts to tailor their typing experience based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, both switches have similar weights with the Ice King Tactile being slightly lighter. The Ice King Tactile has a 58-gram actuation force and a 68-gram bottom out force, while the Tourmaline Blue has a 59-gram actuation force and a 67-gram bottom out force. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category in terms of force required. The actuation force is important for triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force measures the force needed to press the key all the way down. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Ice King Tactile for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the slightly heavier feel of the Tourmaline Blue for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch, we find that the Ice King Tactile has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Tourmaline Blue switch will provide a slightly deeper key press compared to the Ice King Tactile. Gamers who value faster response times may prefer the Ice King Tactile with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. Both switches offer their own unique feel and experience, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences.
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 Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 offers a subdued experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed, creating a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for a wide range of users. Depending on your choice of board and keycaps, both switches can provide an enjoyable typing experience with their distinct sound characteristics.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Tactile is praised for its silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished attributes, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with gentle resistance during key presses. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by offering different levels of smoothness and tactility, catering to individual preferences.
Overall, the Ice King Tactile and Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, providing users with distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Tactile excels in blending creamy smoothness with a pronounced tactile bump, while the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with a thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel. Depending on your preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches offer a satisfying tactile experience that can be tailored to your liking. With these switches, you can expect to elevate your typing to a new level of enjoyment and comfort.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump with a creamy smoothness that elevates your typing to an art form, then the Ice King Tactile is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy feel with a thocky sound profile and a balanced standard spring weight that makes typing enjoyable and accessible, the Tourmaline Blue switch may be more to your liking. Additionally, if you prefer a subdued sound and a silky, frictionless, stepped, or polished typing experience, the Ice King Tactile is a great choice. Conversely, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a buttery, easy-to-press, or mild typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch is worth considering. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference for typing feel, sound, and overall experience.
Mentioned in this article
