Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile, a tactile switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, a linear switch, one must consider their distinct qualities. The Ice King Tactile is renowned for its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, offering a satisfying tactile typing experience that blends the best of both worlds with finesse. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switches are known for their smooth, high-pitched typing experience, ideal for those who prioritize minimal friction and smooth keystrokes. While the Ice King Tactile boasts a silky and stepped feel, the WS Aurora Clear offers a buttery and mild sensation. Additionally, the WS Aurora Clear allows for maximum RGB lighting customization, thanks to its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear vary in terms of their composition and sound profiles. The Ice King Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer composition. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile provides a more rounded and dull sound, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the WS Aurora Clear delivers a more clear and resonant sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Ice King Tactile employs a nylon material that, like its top housing counterpart, results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The WS Aurora Clear, on the other hand, utilizes UHWMPE for its bottom housing, which contributes to a bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing. Despite the differences in material composition, both bottom housings offer distinct sound qualities that enhance the overall typing experience. While the nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Tactile creates a duller and rounder sound, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear produces a more impactful and resonant sound.
In summary, the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear play a significant role in shaping the sound profiles of these switches. While the Ice King Tactile utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound quality, the WS Aurora Clear combines polycarbonate and UHWMPE to create a sharper and more resonant sound signature. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer a softer and duller sound or a crisper and more resonant sound, these housing materials can significantly impact the overall feel and sound of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is evident that the Ice King Tactile has a slightly heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the 53 grams of the WS Aurora Clear. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ice King Tactile at 68 grams and the WS Aurora Clear at 63.5 grams, placing them in the medium-heavy category. The Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier actuation force, which may be preferred by some users looking for a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's lighter actuation force may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The Ice King Tactile would provide a slightly quicker feel due to its shorter travel distance, making it a favorable choice for those seeking responsiveness. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear with its longer travel distance may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keypress experience. In the end, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and keypress 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 Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 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, which produces a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch provides a high-pitched sound, giving a sharp and crisp typing experience. The choice between the two would depend on personal preference, with the Ice King Tactile providing a more muted sound profile compared to the WS Aurora Clear's more pronounced and vibrant sound.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with a refined finish. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is characterized as buttery, mild, and polished, providing a seamless, gentle typing sensation with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Ice King Tactile potentially offering a more tactile feel due to its stepped design, while the WS Aurora Clear prioritizes smoothness and uniformity.
Taking into consideration the sound and feel qualities of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches, newcomers to mechanical keyboards can expect a unique and satisfying tactile experience with the Ice King Tactile, offering a creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear provides a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches, consider the following. If you prioritize a uniquely satisfying tactile experience with a pronounced bump and creamy smoothness, opt for the Ice King Tactile. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be the better choice. The Ice King Tactile offers a subdued sound and a silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished feel, while the WS Aurora Clear provides a high-pitched sound and a buttery, mild, and polished feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel.
Mentioned in this article
