HMX Caramel Pudding vs. Dareu Sky POM

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience. Two noteworthy linear switches are the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Dareu Sky POM, each offering unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Caramel Pudding switches are celebrated for their resonant, clacky sound signature and exquisitely smooth typing feel, making them an ideal choice for users seeking auditory satisfaction alongside a fluid keystroke. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM switch stands out with its premium POM material construction, delivering not only a similarly pleasant clacky sound but also an exceptional smoothness paired with a gentle actuation force—perfect for those who experience fatigue with stiffer switches. While both options provide the hallmark features of linear switches, they differ in materials, sound profiles, and user experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Caramel Pudding Linear

Dareu Sky POM Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$7.78

$4.98 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Caramel Pudding and the Dareu Sky POM both showcase unique housing materials that significantly influence their respective sound profiles. The Caramel Pudding utilizes a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, effectively absorbs sound waves, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM features a POM top housing, which, while still producing a deeper sound profile, offers a unique quality that is described as pleasing and relatively muted. This distinction in materials for the top housings leads to variations in sound characteristics, with the Caramel Pudding likely producing a warmer tone compared to the slightly crisper sound imparted by the Sky POM.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, an interesting similarity emerges. Both the Caramel Pudding and the Sky POM use nylon for their bottom housings. Just like the top housing, the nylon material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Since nylon is a classic choice, its properties create a consistent experience across both keyboards in terms of sound absorption. Consequently, when typing on either switch, the overall sound will be influenced equally by the bottom housing, ensuring that users experience a similarly rounded sound quality when pressing down on the keys.

To summarize, while the Caramel Pudding and Dareu Sky POM differ in their top housing materials, with one employing nylon and the other POM, they converge in their choice of nylon for the bottom housing. This shared material allows for a coherent auditory experience when bottoming out the keys, as both switches absorb sound effectively. However, the divergence in top housings hints at subtle differences in sound profile during key releases. Therefore, users can expect a comparable typing experience overall, with the nuances arising primarily from the materials employed in the top housing of each switch.

Weight

The HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch exhibit distinct characteristics in their actuation and bottom out forces, affecting user experience in typing and gaming. The Caramel Pudding features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, categorizing it as medium-light and providing a balanced feel for extended use. In contrast, the Sky POM has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, suggesting a more effortless keystroke for prolonged typing sessions, but its bottom out force is unknown, leaving some uncertainty about how it feels when pressed fully down. This means that while the Caramel Pudding offers a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy a firmer push, the lighter actuation of the Sky POM may appeal to users seeking ease of use. Ultimately, if similar bottom-out performance is achieved with both switches, users might still find a more comfortable experience with the Caramel Pudding due to its defined bottom out force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, it's clear that the Caramel Pudding offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sky POM measures at 3.8 mm. This difference highlights the preferences of different types of users; those who favor a more responsive experience, typical in gaming, might lean towards the Caramel Pudding switch due to its shorter travel, allowing for quicker actuation times. On the other hand, users who prefer a more substantial, hearty depth in their keypresses might find the longer 3.8 mm travel distance of the Sky POM more satisfying. In conclusion, while both switches cater to distinct user preferences, the Caramel Pudding provides a more rapid response, whereas the Sky POM offers a tactile experience with its longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the HMX Caramel Pudding switch and the Dareu Sky POM switch are known for their clacky sound signatures, which can provide a satisfying auditory feedback during typing. However, the Caramel Pudding's sound is more resonant, lending a distinctive character that elevates the clackiness, possibly making it feel more energetic or pronounced. In contrast, the Sky POM switch presents a low-pitched sound, offering a more mellow tone that can be characterized as bass-heavy. This difference may appeal to users who prefer a subtler auditory experience, though the actual sound produced can still vary based on factors like the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.

Regarding feel, the Caramel Pudding switches are noted for their exquisitely smooth typing experience, which is essential for those who prioritize a seamless engagement with their keyboard. This smoothness is complemented by the characteristics of the Sky POM switch, which is celebrated for its buttery, creamy, and silky feel. The Sky POM provides a fluid keystroke that feels effortless, making every press feel as if the fingers are gliding across the keys. While the Caramel Pudding is celebrated for its smoothness too, the additional descriptors for the Sky POM highlight a richness in texture that enhances the typing experience, making it particularly enjoyable over long typing sessions.

In conclusion, both the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch present excellent options for keyboard enthusiasts, each with unique qualities. While both switches deliver a clacky sound, the Caramel Pudding stands out with its more resonant acoustic profile, while the Sky POM offers a lower-pitched, mellower sound. In terms of feel, the smoothness of the Caramel Pudding is complemented by the Sky POM's rich buttery, creamy, and silky sensation, providing a luxurious typing experience. Ultimately, which switch to choose may depend on whether you prefer a more resonant sound with a focus on smooth typing or a subtler, more tactile experience combined with buttery precision.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch ultimately comes down to your specific preferences for sound and feel. If you prioritize a medium-light bottom-out force and a resonant, clacky sound, the Caramel Pudding switch might be the perfect choice for your typing experience, providing a uniquely satisfying clack that elevates your engagement with each keystroke. The smoothness of its action is also notable, making it an excellent option for both fast typists and those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers buttery, creamy, and silky typing sensations, along with a low-pitched sound profile, the Sky POM is likely to suit you better. Its premium feel, coupled with an easy actuation force, allows for a seamless and fluid typing experience that can enhance everything from gaming to long writing sessions. Ultimately, consider what aspects of sound and tactile feedback resonate with you, and let that guide your decision between these two impressive switches.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Caramel Pudding Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Dareu Sky POM Linear

$7.78

$4.98 per 10

Learn more