Huano Acacia vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When navigating the landscape of mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out for their linear characteristics are the Huano Acacia and the Dareu Sky POM. The Huano Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, which collectively deliver an excellent typing experience straight out of the box. This switch caters to users seeking a reliable and smooth typing feel without the need for extensive modifications. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM takes a bold approach with its unique POM construction, delivering a distinctive clacky sound along with an exceptional smoothness and gentle actuation force, making it an intriguing choice for those who appreciate both performance and auditory feedback in their typing experience. Each switch offers its own set of advantages, whether it’s the Acacia's immediate usability or the Sky POM's engaging acoustic properties. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Dareu Sky POM, it is important to note the contrasting characteristics of their top housings. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for delivering a crisp and high-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. This material not only enhances sound clarity but also provides excellent resonance, making it suitable for RGB lighting applications as its translucence allows light to pass through effectively. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM employs a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. This inherent difference in sound profiles means that the two switches cater to distinctly different auditory experiences, appealing to users who prioritize either sharpness or warmth in their switch sounds.
Both switches, however, utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which creates a degree of similarity in their overall acoustic performance. Nylon is recognized as a classic housing material that absorbs sound effectively, producing a fuller and deeper sound. While the nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes similarly to this aspect, it emphasizes the character of the switch distinctly based on the type of material used for the top housing. The impact of the bottom housing is primarily felt during the key press and bottom-out sound, ensuring that despite the differences in their top housings, both switches still deliver a full and rounded auditory experience during use.
Ultimately, the combination of a polycarbonate top housing with a nylon bottom in the Huano Acacia contrasts with the POM top housing paired with the same nylon bottom in the Dareu Sky POM. Users seeking a sharper and more resonant sound profile may gravitate towards the Acacia, while those who prefer a muted and warmer sound might favor the Sky POM. Despite these differences, both switches share a foundational quality through the use of nylon in their bottoms, underscoring the interplay between the two housing materials. Adopting a similar nylon bottom in both cases allows users to achieve a level of familiarity in sound depth and fullness, while the top materials create unique distinctions that cater to individual preferences.
Weight
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch present a notable contrast in actuation force, with the Acacia requiring a force of 45 grams while the Sky POM requires only 40 grams. This indicates that the Sky POM is the lighter option, making it potentially more suitable for users who engage in extended typing sessions or gaming, as it may reduce finger fatigue. However, the bottom out force for the Sky POM is not specified, leaving some uncertainty regarding the overall typing experience at maximum depth. The Acacia switch, on the other hand, has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which provides a firmer feel upon complete depression. This heavier bottoming out may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. For users who favor lighter switches, the Sky POM could be the preferred choice, given its lower actuation force, while those desiring a more robust feedback might lean towards the Acacia due to its defined bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia and Dareu Sky POM linear switches, the Acacia offers a shorter distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sky POM has a longer distance of 3.8 mm. This difference highlights a notable contrast between the two switches; the Acacia may be more suitable for users who prioritize quicker response times, making it a favored choice for gamers seeking rapid actuation. Conversely, the Sky POM, with its greater travel distance, might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, providing a deeper feel with every keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preferences regarding responsiveness and typing depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 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
The Huano Acacia linear switch is favored for its notably pleasant sound profile, which is often described as well-balanced and somewhat muted, contributing to a more subtle auditory experience while typing. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM switch delivers a low-pitched and clacky sound, characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone that adds a more pronounced auditory feedback to every keystroke. This difference in sound can significantly influence your typing experience, depending on your preference for a quieter operation or a more resonant clacking tone, although both switches can produce similar results when combined with the right keyboard and keycap choices.
When it comes to feel, the Acacia switch is known for its medium-light weight that facilitates a comfortable typing experience, complemented by generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, allowing for a consistent actuation. The Sky POM switch stands out for its buttery, creamy, and silky sensation, ensuring that each keystroke feels effortlessly smooth and fluid. This results in an enjoyable typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. Both switches excel in providing a pleasant tactile experience, although the Sky POM may provide an even smoother glide, potentially enhancing typing speed and comfort.
In summary, while the Huano Acacia and Dareu Sky POM switches differ in sound profile—with the Acacia being more subdued and the Sky POM offering a clackier note—they both provide an excellent typing experience. The Acacia's balanced feel versus the Sky POM's creamy and buttery texture creates a unique distinction between the two. Ultimately, your choice may come down to personal preference regarding sound and typing sensation, as both switches promise quality performance.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch largely depends on your personal typing preferences and desired sound profile. If you appreciate a medium-light keystroke and value a solid performance straight out of the box, the Acacia would be an excellent choice for you. Its well-lubricated design and minimal stem wobble make it particularly suitable for those who prioritize a consistent and reliable typing experience, whether for work or gaming. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a switch that offers an exceptionally smooth and buttery typing feel, along with a low-pitched clacky sound, the Sky POM is likely to pique your interest. Its creamy and silky qualities make it ideal for extended typing sessions and cater to users who enjoy a satisfying auditory feedback during their keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you value more: the dependable finesse of the Acacia or the luxurious smoothness of the Sky POM. Consider what aspects—be it sound, feel, or weight—are most important to you as you make your choice.
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