Dareu Aqua vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Aqua and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g are two impressive options that serve distinct preferences. The Dareu Aqua, known for its feather-light 37g actuation force, offers a unique typing experience characterized by a chirpy and clacky sound signature, making it an appealing choice for gamers and typists who enjoy a more tactile and responsive feel with each keystroke. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g provides a more muted and serene typing experience, with a balanced 53g bottom-out force designed to minimize noise while still delivering satisfying feedback. This switch is perfect for those who prefer a quieter workspace or late-night typing sessions without disturbing others. Both switches present compelling reasons to choose them based on individual typing styles and environments; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Dareu Aqua Linear

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Dareu Aqua and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, which affects both feel and sound during use. The Aqua features a polycarbonate top housing, characterized by its stiffness, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a more resonant sound, especially when using RGB lighting; the translucence of polycarbonate not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the overall brightness of the lighting effects. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g employs a nylon top housing, known for its softer nature that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper, fuller, and rounder auditory profile. This fundamental difference in material directly influences how each switch sounds and feels during typing.

For the bottom housings, the Dareu Aqua utilizes nylon, which maintains the same deeper and fuller sound profile that is characteristic of the material. This consistency allows for a cohesive experience when pressing down on the Aqua switch, resulting in a more rounded bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g features a polycarbonate bottom housing. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate provides a clearer and more resonant response when bottoming out, contributing to a sharper auditory experience. This duality in housing materials creates distinct sound signatures between the two switches, with the Aqua favoring a more harmonious and muted feedback, while the Silent Sakura capitalizes on a crisper feedback from its polycarbonate.

Ultimately, both switches yield high-quality results based on their unique combinations of housing materials. While the Dareu Aqua shines with a more blended, muted sound experience due to its nylon top, which combines well with its nylon bottom, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g caters to fans of a more pronounced auditory feedback of the typing stroke due to its polycarbonate components. By understanding how top and bottom housing materials influence sound and feel, users can make informed choices based on their personal preferences for typing sound and experience. Despite the differences, each switch is engineered to provide satisfying results, just in divergent ways depending on the user's desired auditory experience.

Weight

When comparing the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, their actuation and bottom out forces reveal a clear distinction in feel and typing experience. The Aqua features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, contrasted with the Silent Sakura’s actuation force of 45 grams, making the Aqua more accommodating for extended typing sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Aqua is unknown, while the Silent Sakura provides a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, indicating a firmer feel when pressed down completely. This heavier bottom out could appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Therefore, while both switches offer distinct characteristics, the Aqua is lighter in actuation force, which may be more comfortable for marathon typists or gamers, whereas the Silent Sakura might suit users looking for a bit more resistance and feedback from their keystrokes.

Travel distance

Both the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch have identical travel distances of 4 mm. This similarity means that users will experience the same amount of key travel when pressing down on either switch, leading to a consistent feel in typing or gaming scenarios. As a result, both switches can provide a comparable experience in terms of how far the key needs to be pressed down before it actuates. Thus, whether using the Aqua or the Silent Sakura, users can expect similar results regarding keystroke travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Dareu Aqua linear switch exhibits a unique combination of chirpy and clacky qualities. Its chirpy sound adds a distinctive squeak, while the clacky aspect produces a crisp and percussive note with each key press. This acoustic signature creates a lively auditory experience, perfect for users who appreciate the feedback that sound provides during typing. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g is designed specifically for a quiet typing experience, emulating the soothing sound of raindrops softly hitting a window. This makes it an option for individuals who prioritize discretion and tranquility in their environment, though it lacks the chirpiness and clackiness of the Aqua.

When considering the feel of these switches, the Dareu Aqua linear switch is characterized by its exceptionally light actuation force of 37g, leading to an easy-to-press and feathery sensation. Typing with these switches is effortless and comfortable, significantly minimizing finger fatigue during long sessions. The light actuation encourages a responsive experience that can enhance performance, particularly in gaming or rapid typing scenarios. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g switch offers a more balanced bottom-out force of 53g, though no specific qualities regarding its feel were mentioned. This suggests that while the Sakura may provide a satisfying typing experience, it might not match the lightness and ease of the Aqua.

Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences: the Dareu Aqua focuses on an engaging auditory and tactile experience, ideal for users who enjoy the liveliness and feedback of their keystrokes. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g excels in providing a quiet, serene typing environment, suited for those who seek peace and don’t want to disturb others. Each switch brings its unique characteristics to the table, ultimately guiding newcomers to choose based on their typing style and environment preferences.

Conclusion

To summarize, choosing between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and environment. If you find joy in a super light touch with an engaging sound profile, the Aqua's 37g actuation force and its chirpy, clacky acoustic signature are likely to enhance your typing experience, especially if you tend to type quickly or enjoy a more expressive keyboard for gaming and casual use. Alternatively, if you prefer a medium-light 53g bottom-out force and aim for a more subdued, tranquil typing experience, the Silent Sakura - 53g is engineered to deliver a whisper-quiet performance perfect for shared spaces or long hours of typing without disturbing others. The easy-to-press nature of the Aqua minimizes finger fatigue, making it a great fit for intensive tasks, while the Silent Sakura’s balanced feel provides a level of tactile satisfaction that suits methodical typing styles. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should reflect your personal preferences for sound, actuation force, and the environments in which you intend to use your keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Dareu Aqua Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more