Dareu Aqua vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Dareu Aqua and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Aqua and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer distinct yet intriguing options for different typing preferences. The Dareu Aqua, known for its super light actuation force of just 37g, provides a unique typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound signature, making it an excellent choice for individuals who enjoy a feather-light touch and playful acoustics. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its medium-weight feel and all-POM construction, strikes a perfect balance between tactile feedback and smooth actuation, delivering a satisfying thocky sound profile without compromising on quality or price. While the Aqua is suited for those who prefer ease and agility in typing, the Sea Salt Smoothie appeals to users seeking a more robust and resonant experience. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Aqua and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, it is clear that each switch utilizes different materials for the top housing, which contributes to their distinct sound profiles. The Aqua employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for enhancing clarity and brightness in sound, giving it a sharper, higher-pitched resonance. This material’s stiffness allows for a more defined and resonant auditory experience, making it particularly suitable for setups that utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie features a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which offers a sound profile that is deeper and more muted. This characteristic results in a unique auditory experience, reflecting POM's inherent acoustic properties that lend themselves to producing softer sounds. Thus, while both switches provide distinct sound profiles, the materials used in their top housings contribute significantly to their overall differences.
Moving to the bottom housing, both switches again demonstrate diversity in their materials, which notably affects the sound and feel during typing. The Aqua uses nylon for its bottom housing, a classic choice known for its ability to absorb sound, creating a deeper and fuller auditory profile compared to harder plastics. This sound absorption characteristic complements the clearer sound from its polycarbonate top housing, leading to a balanced auditory experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie features a POM bottom housing, which, similar to its top counterpart, contributes to a moderately muted sound. While both switches utilize materials that lead to deeper sound profiles, the nylon in the Aqua adds additional depth and fullness that may not be achieved with the POM material used throughout the Sea Salt Smoothie.
In essence, the differences between the Aqua and Sea Salt Smoothie in terms of their housing materials not only highlight their individual auditory signatures but also how these materials collectively define the switches' overall performance. With the Aqua’s combination of a polycarbonate top for higher pitch clarity coupled with a nylon bottom for sound absorption, and the Sea Salt Smoothie's dual POM construction for consistent muted tones, both switches cater to varied user preferences. While their auditory experiences differ, comparable results can be obtained by users who appreciate deeper sound profiles, especially in the Sea Salt Smoothie, benefiting from POM's quality of a pleasing auditory result. Ultimately, each switch represents a unique blend of materials that define their identity while demonstrating how varying materials can be effectively combined to achieve desired acoustics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation forces of the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Aqua has a notably lighter actuation force of 37 grams, while the Sea Salt Smoothie requires a stronger push at 48 grams. This difference means that the Aqua switch is better suited for those who favor a lighter touch, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons where fatigue can become a concern. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its heavier actuation force, provides a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer for its tactile feedback during use. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which means we can't compare that aspect directly. However, due to the lighter actuation force of the Aqua switch, users looking for a less strenuous keystroke will find it more comfortable, while those who desire a stronger feel will lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Aqua offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference can significantly affect the typing experience; the longer travel distance of the Aqua provides a more substantial feedback and a deeper feel, which some users may prefer for a more traditional typing experience. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to gamers who favor quick, responsive keystrokes that can enhance performance. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Sea Salt Smoothie is the better choice, whereas if you prefer a more pronounced depth in your keystrokes, the Dareu Aqua would be more suitable.
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 Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Aqua linear switch presents a distinctive acoustic signature characterized by its chirpy and clacky qualities. This unique combination provides a lively and engaging typing experience, with the chirp adding a playful squeak and the clack delivering a sharp and snappy feedback that is pleasantly bright and percussive. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch does not have a specified sound profile described in the provided information. However, one can generally expect that the Sea Salt Smoothie, being a smooth linear switch, will likely be quieter and more muted than the Aqua, giving it a more subdued acoustic character that can be advantageous in shared environments.
In terms of feel, the Aqua is remarkably light and easy to press, boasting a 37g actuation force that makes every keystroke effortless. With its feathery touch and gentle resistance, it reduces finger fatigue, allowing for extended typing sessions without discomfort. This provides a very responsive and low-impact experience, making it particularly appealing for both casual typing and intense gaming. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch, although not detailed, is known to be a medium-weight switch, which may offer a balance between resistance and ease of use; however, specifics regarding its tactile feedback or level of smoothness are not available.
In summary, the Dareu Aqua stands out with its light actuation force and distinctive sound profile, delivering an engaging auditory experience combined with an exceptionally comfortable typing feel. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, while less defined in sound and feel characteristics, is positioned as a quality medium-weight option that may cater to those seeking a balance. While users may enjoy similar overall results from both switches in terms of smooth linear action, the Aqua's acoustic uniqueness and lighter touch truly set it apart for those specifically drawn to those qualities.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor an exceptionally light touch and enjoy a chirpy, clacky sound profile, the Aqua switch is likely the better option for you. Its 37g actuation force ensures that each key press requires minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for long typing sessions or gaming, where speed and responsiveness are crucial. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch that offers a more balanced sound and feel with a strong emphasis on smoothness, you should consider the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie. While it doesn't provide specific bottom-out force details, its medium weight and thocky sound profile may deliver a more satisfying tactile experience, appealing to those who prioritize a richer acoustic signature in their typing. Ultimately, the decision should reflect your individual typing style, whether that’s the lightweight agility of the Aqua or the robust, smooth experience of the Sea Salt Smoothie.
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