Dareu Aqua vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Dareu Aqua and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Aqua and KTT Purple Star mechanical keyboard switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Aqua stands out with its super light 37g actuation force, providing a chirpy and clacky sound signature that appeals to those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star switches are known for their all-POM construction, offering a buttery smooth typing experience with a neutral sound signature and a very light 45g bottom-out, making them ideal for light typists. While the Aqua switch offers an easy-to-press and feathery feel, the Purple Star switch provides a mild, low-pitched, and easy-to-press typing experience. Both switches have their own strengths and benefits, but diving deeper into their characteristics will help you make the best decision based on your personal preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Aqua and KTT Purple Star switches offer different sound profiles and aesthetics. The Aqua features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound compared to the Purple Star's POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the Aqua's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for RGB lighting, while the Purple Star's POM housing may offer a different visual appeal.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Aqua uses nylon, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Purple Star also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound profile. The differences in sound produced by the top and bottom housings of each switch highlight the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience.
While the Dareu Aqua and KTT Purple Star differ in their housing materials, both switches offer unique and pleasing sound profiles. The split qualities of the top and bottom housings contribute to the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper and more muted sound of POM, both switches provide a distinct typing experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Dareu Aqua linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the KTT Purple Star linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. The bottom out force for the Aqua switch is unknown, while the Purple Star switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is on the lighter side. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Dareu Aqua switch would be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star switch provides a slightly heavier actuation force for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Both switches provide a different typing feel, catering to a variety of preferences depending on the user's personal preference.
Travel distance
The Dareu Aqua linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Purple Star linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Purple Star has a shorter travel distance compared to the Aqua. The Aqua's 4 mm travel distance is considered more of a traditional distance, providing a bit more depth and tactile feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Purple Star's 3.5 mm travel distance is shallower, making it favorably responsive for tasks that require quick keystrokes, such as gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing experience one is looking for.
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 KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 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 Dareu Aqua linear switch is renowned for its distinctive sound profile characterized by a chirpy and clacky sound signature. The chirpy quality adds a unique squeak to the switch, while the clacky nature produces a sharp and snappy sound, giving it a crisp and percussive tone. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star linear switch offers a neutral sound signature with a low-pitched tone, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. When it comes to feel, the Aqua switch provides an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience due to its super light 37g actuation force. This light touch reduces finger fatigue and enhances typing comfort, making it ideal for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Purple Star switch offers a mild typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users with its easy-to-press nature and all-POM construction for buttery smooth key presses. Overall, while the Aqua switch excels in delivering a chirpy and clacky sound with an easy-to-press feel, the Purple Star switch offers a low-pitched sound and a mild typing experience, catering to different preferences with similar ease and comfort.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a super light actuation force and a unique chirpy and clacky sound signature, the Dareu Aqua switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with an all-POM construction and a light bottom-out force, the KTT Purple Star switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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