Gateron x Sillyworks Type R vs. Durock Ice King: Which Tactile Switch Should You Buy?

Picking a tactile switch can feel overwhelming with how many options are out there, so today we're putting two of the most talked-about tactiles head-to-head: the Gateron x Sillyworks Type R and the Durock Ice King tactile variant. Both are excellent, but they take completely different approaches to what "tactile" even means. Let's break down the differences so you can figure out which one belongs in your next build.

Quick Answer

If you want a sharp, fast, "pure tactile" feel with zero mushiness, go with the Type R. If you want a deep, smooth, "thocky" tactile bump with a more traditional feel and full RGB shine through , go with the Ice King. Full breakdown below.

At a Glance: Spec Comparison

Both are available hand-lubed or filmed for $0.39 per switch, or hand-lubed and filmed for $0.59 per switch, if you want us to handle that step for you.

What Makes the Type R Different

The Type R was built around one goal: eliminate linear travel entirely. Most tactile switches have some mushy pre-travel before you hit the bump, and some post-travel after it before bottom-out. The Type R cuts almost all of that out — you press, you feel the bump, you bottom out, practically all at once. That's what "100% tactile" actually means here.

The tradeoff is total travel is short (just 3.0mm), so the whole keystroke happens fast. Sound-wise, expect something sharp, clacky, and high-pitched rather than deep or muted — the short travel and quick bottom-out don't leave much room for a mellow tone. If you like a tactile switch that feels immediate and decisive, this is one of the more extreme examples of that on the market.

What Makes the Ice King Different

The Ice King takes the more familiar tactile path: a longer 3.5mm total travel, a progressive spring, and a housing designed specifically to produce that deep "thock" sound the hobby is chasing right now. The transparent polymer nylon housing isn't just for RGB shine-through — it's part of what gives this switch its rounder, fuller tone compared to the Type R's sharper crack.

Where the Type R is about speed and decisiveness, the Ice King is about depth and smoothness. The bump feels more traditional — a noticeable curve rather than an abrupt wall — which makes it a gentler introduction to tactile switches if you've never used one before.

One honest note: unlike the Type R, Ice King's spec sheet doesn't list a factory lube blend, so if ultra-smooth consistency matters to you, this is a good candidate for our hand-lube service rather than relying on stock feel alone.

Sound & Feel, Side by Side

Which One Should You Buy?

New to tactile switches? Start with the Ice King. The longer travel and smoother bump curve is closer to what most people expect a "tactile switch" to feel like, and the deep sound profile is genuinely satisfying without being overwhelming.

Already have a few tactile switches under your belt and want something different? Try the Type R. If you've typed on a few browns or the Ice King already and want to feel what a "zero pre-travel" switch is actually like, this is one of the best examples of the category — it's a genuinely different experience, not just a heavier spring on the same formula.

Building for gaming or fast typing? The Type R's short total travel means less distance your finger has to travel per keystroke, which some people prefer for speed. The Ice King's longer travel isn't slow by any means, but it's tuned more for feel than raw speed.

Either way, both switches are in stock and ready to ship, with hand-lube and filming available on both if you want us to fine-tune the feel before they land on your desk.

• Shop Gateron x Sillyworks Type R Tactile Switches
• Shop Durock Ice King Tactile Switches