Dareu Aqua vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Aqua and Everglide Rice Pudding present two intriguing options, each catering to different preferences among typists and gamers alike. The Dareu Aqua, a linear switch, is renowned for its super light 37g actuation force and a unique sound profile that blends chirpy and clacky tones, appealing to those who enjoy a lighter touch and a more playful auditory feedback. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch features a hall effect mechanism that offers a smooth operation and a deeper sound, providing a satisfying and precise typing experience, making it a superb choice for enthusiasts who prioritize performance and versatility, especially given its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While both switches have their unique advantages—light and fun with the Aqua and smooth and precise with the Rice Pudding—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Dareu Aqua Linear

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The Dareu Aqua and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches share a significant similarity in their housing materials, utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing in both switches contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer composition. This characteristic aids in producing clear and resonant sounds, making it especially advantageous for users who favor RGB lighting since the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to diffuse beautifully. Given their identical top material, users can expect a similar auditory output when actuating the switches, as both are designed to enhance brightness and clarity in sound, regardless of the specific aesthetic or brand.

In contrast, while the top housings are the same, the bottom housings differentiate the two switches in terms of sound profile and feel. Both switches employ nylon for the bottom housing, which is revered for its ability to absorb sound, leading to a deeper and fuller auditory experience. This softer plastic quality results in a more subdued and rounded sound compared to the sharper tones from the polycarbonate tops. Therefore, while both switches share a common trait in their top housing that promotes clear and bright sounds, the bottom housings present a unique auditory challenge that culminates in a varied sound profile, where the nylon material absorbs some of the resonance produced by the polycarbonate tops.

In summary, while the Dareu Aqua and Everglide Rice Pudding switches utilize identical materials in their top (polycarbonate) and bottom (nylon) housings, the interaction between these materials creates a harmonious blend of sound qualities. Users can expect the clearness and sharpness from the polycarbonate tops and a rich, full sound from the nylon bottoms, leading to a comprehensive and satisfying typing experience in both cases. The cohesive design across both switch models promises that though their aural characteristics vary, the inherent qualities of the materials will yield a comparable performance, making either choice a sound investment for enthusiasts seeking optimal key responsiveness and auditory satisfaction.

Weight

When comparing the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, notable differences arise in their actuation forces and bottom-out forces. The Aqua switch features a slightly lighter actuation force of 37 grams, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions, while the Rice Pudding requires 38 grams of force to actuate, providing a marginally firmer feel. However, the Aqua's bottom-out force is unknown, so we cannot make a direct comparison there. In contrast, the Rice Pudding has a bottom-out force of 48 grams, indicating a heavier feel when the key is fully pressed down. This means that while the Aqua offers a lighter touch for effortless keystrokes, the Rice Pudding provides a heavier feedback during bottoming out, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference regarding the balance of actuation and bottom-out forces.

Travel distance

The Dareu Aqua linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Aqua switch offers a more traditional pressing experience with its longer travel, which may appeal to users who appreciate a deeper feel when typing. Conversely, the Rice Pudding switch, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those who prefer quicker response times, making it particularly suited for gamers seeking faster actuation. Ultimately, individuals who favor a more hearty and gradual press should gravitate toward the Aqua, while those who enjoy a more responsive and snappy feel may find the Rice Pudding more to their liking. In summary, the Aqua switch is the longer option at 4 mm, whereas the Rice Pudding switch is the shorter option at 3.5 mm.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Dareu Aqua linear switch produces a unique acoustic signature characterized as both chirpy and clacky. The chirpy quality introduces a light squeak that can add a playful tone to your typing experience, while the clacky aspect provides a sharp, crisp response with percussive notes. This distinct sound profile sets the Aqua apart, offering an engaging auditory feedback that could appeal to users who enjoy pronounced sound effects while typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch delivers a deeper and more subdued sound, contributing to a balanced and satisfying auditory experience that caters to those seeking a more subtle acoustic presence. Since sound quality can be influenced by your choice of keyboard and keycaps, users might find a range of auditory experiences regardless of the switch they choose.

When it comes to feel, the Dareu Aqua switch excels with its super light actuation force of 37g, resulting in an easy-to-press and feathery sensation. This makes the switch incredibly comfortable for prolonged typing sessions, allowing for a responsive experience with minimal finger fatigue—a welcome feature for gamers or anyone engaged in extensive writing tasks. In contrast, the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switches is not provided, leaving room for speculation on their tactile characteristics. However, based on known qualities of Hall effect switches, one might expect them to also offer a smooth and precise typing experience, although specifics are presently unknown.

In conclusion, the Dareu Aqua linear switch shines in both sound and feel, providing an inviting blend of chirpy and clacky sounds paired with an effortless typing experience. The Rice Pudding switch, while lacking detailed descriptions of its sound and feel, promises a satisfying and smooth operation tailored for enthusiasts, especially with its compatibility with innovative keyboard setups. Depending on personal preference, users may gravitate toward the unique auditory feedback of the Aqua or the balanced typing response of the Rice Pudding, both of which can enhance the mechanical keyboard experience in different ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you are someone who enjoys a lightweight touch with a unique acoustic profile, the Aqua is an excellent choice. Its 37g actuation force ensures that typing feels effortless, allowing for quick and comfortable keystrokes—ideal for gaming or long typing sessions. Additionally, the sweet chirpy and clacky sound signature adds a playful auditory dimension that many users find enjoyable. On the other hand, if you value a more balanced typing experience with a satisfying depth to the sound, the Rice Pudding switch is worth considering. Its 48g bottom-out force provides a slightly more tactile feel while still maintaining smooth operation, making it suitable for typists who seek precision and comfort without sacrificing auditory feedback. Furthermore, the Rice Pudding's compatibility with Wooting keyboards offers versatility for any enthusiast looking to elevate their performance. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prefer a super light, playful experience or a more robust and balanced typing sensation.

Mentioned in this article

Dareu Aqua Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more