Dareu Aqua vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Dareu Aqua and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Aqua and Zuoce Lavender linear switches both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Dareu Aqua is lauded for its incredibly light 37g actuation force, providing a chirpy and clacky sound signature, perfect for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender stands out for its smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend, offering a crisp and clacky sound that adds satisfaction to each keystroke. While both switches share the attribute of being easy to press, they each have their own distinct characteristics that cater 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
37g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Aqua and the Zuoce Lavender both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Aqua's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a clear and resonant quality, ideal for those who prefer a crisper sound. In contrast, the Lavender's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, providing a different typing experience compared to the Aqua. Despite these differences, both switches offer a pleasing sound profile that caters to different preferences.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing material, both the Aqua and Lavender offer nylon and POM options respectively. The Aqua's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Similarly, the Lavender's POM bottom housing also creates a deep and muted sound, ensuring a consistent typing experience with a unique sound profile. While the bottom housings may differ in material, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective qualities.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Dareu Aqua and Zuoce Lavender switches results in a diverse range of sound profiles. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings offer users a nuanced typing experience, with each material contributing to a specific aspect of the sound. Whether you prefer the sharper and clearer sound of polycarbonate or the deeper and more muted sound of POM, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience that caters to individual preferences. In essence, while the housing materials may vary between the two switches, users can expect similar results in terms of overall sound quality and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, it is evident that there are significant differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Lavender has a heavier actuation force of 48 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of bottom out force, the Aqua's force is unknown, while the Lavender has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is considered medium-light. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Aqua offering a lighter touch and the Lavender providing a heavier feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, it is evident that the Aqua has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Lavender has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Aqua offers a slightly deeper press than the Lavender. Depending on individual preferences, the Aqua may be preferred for those who enjoy a more traditional and substantial key press, while the Lavender may be favored by those who prefer a shallower and quicker response. Both switches provide different experiences based on their travel distance, catering to a variety of typing and gaming preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Aqua has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua for $3.76.
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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 Dareu Aqua linear switch offers a unique blend of chirpy and clacky sound signatures, providing a distinctive typing experience with a light 37g actuation force. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch delivers a crisp and clacky sound, known for its exceptional smoothness due to the proprietary Ly blend. Both switches offer a satisfying auditory feedback with their distinct sound profiles, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for users. It is important to note that the actual sound produced by the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both the Dareu Aqua and Zuoce Lavender switches are described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force contributes to a comfortable typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The Aqua switch is also noted for its feathery feel, providing an exceptionally light key press that can enhance typing comfort for prolonged usage. Overall, both switches excel in providing a responsive and low-impact typing feel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable typing experience for users.
In conclusion, the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch each bring their own unique characteristics to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Aqua switch stands out with its light actuation force and chirpy sound signature, the Lavender switch offers exceptional smoothness and a satisfying clacky sound profile. Both switches provide easy-to-press keys that reduce finger fatigue and enhance typing comfort, making them suitable options for users seeking a pleasant typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches are designed to provide a enjoyable typing experience for users.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, consider your preferences regarding actuation force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a super light actuation force and a unique chirpy and clacky sound signature, the Dareu Aqua may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value exceptional smoothness, a crisp and clacky sound, and a light actuation force, the Zuoce Lavender switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you prioritize and enjoy the most. Choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences for a satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
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