Dareu Aqua vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Dareu Aqua and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, two noteworthy options are the Dareu Aqua and the Huano Sakura, both of which offer a linear feel but differ significantly in their characteristics and user experience. The Dareu Aqua is celebrated for its remarkably light 37g actuation force, providing a feathery touch that results in a chirpy and clacky sound signature, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who prefer an effortless keystroke and an engaging auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura is designed with prolonged typing in mind, offering a feather-light touch and a medium acoustic profile, which caters to those who may spend hours at the keyboard without experiencing fatigue. While both switches promise a light touch and a smooth typing experience, their unique sound profiles and applications can greatly influence your choice. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Aqua and Huano Sakura switches employ distinct materials for their top housings, leading to different acoustic characteristics. The Aqua's top housing is made from polycarbonate, renowned for its stiffness, which results in a sharper and crisper sound profile. This material's translucency enhances the visual aspect, especially for RGB lighting, making it an appealing choice for those who prioritize aesthetics alongside performance. In contrast, the Sakura's top housing is crafted from POK, a polyketone material notable for its smoothness and durability. While POK does not match the sharpness of polycarbonate, it offers a wide sound space characterized by smooth and clacky acoustics. This variance in the top housing materials highlights a key differentiator between the two switches, with each material contributing uniquely to the auditory experience.
Despite their differences in the top housing, both the Aqua and Sakura utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which helps create a fuller and deeper sound profile. Nylon's inherent qualities absorb more sound, yielding a duller and rounder auditory feedback, thus enhancing the tactile experience of typing on both switches. Since both switches share this nylon bottom housing, they will generate similar results when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel, placing emphasis on the combined acoustic experience derived from their designs. Users of either switch can anticipate a consistent tonal foundation provided by the nylon, reinforcing the importance of bottom housing materials in the overall performance of mechanical switches.
The synergy between the different materials in the Dareu Aqua and Huano Sakura switches illustrates how top and bottom housings can complement each other. The polycarbonate and POK top housings will influence the sound produced during key release, while the nylon bottom housing assures a consistent response upon keystroke. This combination creates a balanced and nuanced typing experience, where the intrinsic properties of each material manifest in the overall sound and feel of the switches. While users may favor one switch over the other based on their preference for sharper or smoother sound profiles, the shared nylon bottom housing helps unify the key characteristics of both models, allowing for an enjoyable experience regardless of the choice made.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, we observe some interesting differences in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Aqua switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 37 grams compared to the lighter 35 grams of the Sakura switch, making the Aqua switch slightly heavier in terms of initial keystroke pressure. However, the bottom out force for the Aqua is not provided, leaving a gap in our analysis for that metric. On the other hand, the Sakura switch features a bottom out force of 45 grams, which indicates a firmer resistance when fully pressed down. For users who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Huano Sakura offers a more comfortable experience, while those who favor a more substantial feel may lean towards the Dareu Aqua despite its slightly heavier initial actuation force. Overall, if you're seeking a lighter switch, the Huano Sakura is the better choice, while the Dareu Aqua may appeal to those who appreciate a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Aqua linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Huano Sakura linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference means that the Aqua switch provides a more substantial depth when pressed, which can appeal to users who prefer a more traditional feel and a more pronounced activation. Conversely, the shorter travel distance of the Sakura switch may be favored by gamers and others who prioritize quicker response times, as it allows for faster key actuations. Thus, if you prefer a deeper, more tactile experience, the Aqua would be the better choice, whereas the Sakura suits those who lean towards a more responsive key press with reduced travel distance. In summary, the Aqua is the longer option, and the Sakura is the shorter one.
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 Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
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 sound profile of the Dareu Aqua linear switch is characterized by its unique combination of chirpy and clacky acoustic qualities. The chirpy aspect introduces a subtle squeak, adding a distinctive flair to each keystroke, while the clacky nature produces a sharp, snappy sound that is bright and percussive. This contrast creates an engaging auditory experience that can enhance the typing rhythm. In comparison, the Huano Sakura linear switch is noted for its medium acoustics, suggesting a quieter typing experience, making it more suited for environments where noise is a concern. While specific descriptors for the Sakura's sound are not provided, the absence of the lively chirp and clack indicates it will likely offer a more subdued auditory response.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Aqua switch excels with a super light 37g actuation force, delivering an easy-to-press and feathery touch. This means that users can enjoy a responsive experience with minimal effort, reducing fatigue during long typing sessions, whether for gaming or work. The light actuation force provides a satisfying sensation, allowing typists to glide effortlessly over the keys. The feel characteristics of the Huano Sakura are not detailed but, based on its feather-light touch and similarity in intended user experience, it can be inferred that it may also promote comfort during extended use.
In summary, while both the Dareu Aqua and Huano Sakura linear switches cater to users favoring a light touch, they diverge in terms of sound signature and specific tactile feedback. The Aqua stands out with its vibrant chirpy and clacky sound, paired with an exceedingly light feel for a dynamic typing experience. In contrast, the Sakura likely offers a quieter typing atmosphere with an equally lightweight feel, making it suitable for prolonged periods of use. Both, however, promise comfort and responsiveness, appealing to different preferences in acoustics and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch will largely depend on your specific preferences and typing habits. If you seek a switch that offers an incredibly light actuation force paired with a distinctive chirpy and clacky sound, the Aqua is an excellent choice for you. Its easy-to-press design allows for speedy typing with minimal finger fatigue, making it ideal for gamers or anyone who enjoys a tactile and lively typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a slightly heavier bottom-out force that still retains a feather-light touch, the Sakura might be more suited to your needs. This switch is optimized for extended typing sessions with medium acoustics that make it versatile for both work and casual use, without overwhelming your auditory senses. Ultimately, when deciding between these two, consider how you like to type, the sounds you enjoy while typing, and whether you need that extra feedback in the form of sound or feel to enhance your overall keyboard experience.
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