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KTT Cream Yellow vs. Dareu Sky V4

An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the KTT Cream Yellow and the Dareu Sky V4, both of which are linear switches. The Cream Yellow is renowned for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance, long-pole stem, and lengthened spring. On the other hand, the Sky V4 stands out for its innovative use of POK material in the top housing, resulting in a deeper sound signature that complements its smooth linear action, providing a rich and satisfying typing experience. While the Cream Yellow offers a bouncy and clacky typing experience, the Sky V4 provides a thocky, neutral, low-pitched feel. 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

50g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

58g

Bottom-out force

55g

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Total travel

3.60 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

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

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

18mm spring

Spring

Gold-plated spring

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Dareu Sky V4, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. Polycarbonate is known for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches with clear housings and RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sky V4 features a POK top housing, which is praised for its smoothness and durability, with superior wear and shock resistance compared to other materials. Despite their differences, both switches offer a premium experience with their top housing materials, ensuring a satisfying sound and feel with each keystroke.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, both the Cream Yellow and the Sky V4 opt for nylon as their material of choice. Nylon is favored for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics, as it absorbs more sound to produce a rounder tone. This commonality showcases that both switches prioritize sound quality and tactile feedback, offering a comfortable typing experience for users. While the top housing defines the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing influences the sound and feel when pressing down, contributing to the overall typing experience of each switch.

Overall, the choice of housing materials in the KTT Cream Yellow and the Dareu Sky V4 serves to enhance the performance and aesthetics of each switch. While the Cream Yellow's polycarbonate top housing is geared towards creating a clear and resonant sound profile, the Sky V4's POK material emphasizes smoothness and durability. Both switches feature nylon bottom housings that prioritize a fuller sound experience, showcasing a balance between sharpness and depth in sound production. Despite these differences, users can expect a premium typing experience with either switch, as the housing materials are carefully selected to deliver reliable performance and satisfying sound profiles.

Weight

The actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch have some key differences. The Cream Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it slightly heavier compared to the 45-gram actuation force and 55-gram bottom out force of the Sky V4. This means that the Cream Yellow requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke and fully press the key compared to the Sky V4. The Cream Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience with a slightly heavier feel, while the Sky V4 offers a lighter touch for smoother typing. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range of forces, catering to different preferences based on whether users prefer a lighter or more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing feel.

Travel distance

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those looking for quicker response times, especially gamers. The Cream Yellow with its slightly shorter travel distance may provide a slightly faster response, while the Sky V4 with its slightly longer travel distance may offer a bit more depth in key presses. Ultimately, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches is unlikely to be noticeable to most users, and both switches would provide similar results in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.

The Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 for $4.76.

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 Cream Yellow offers a distinctive clacky experience with its sharp and snappy sound, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, providing a crisp and percussive typing feedback. On the other hand, the Sky V4 provides a deeper thocky sound due to the innovative POK material in its top housing, creating a rich and satisfying typing experience with a low-pitched tone. While the Cream Yellow leans towards a brighter and more resonant sound, the Sky V4 offers a mellower and bass-heavy audio profile, catering to different preferences based on sound preference.

In terms of feel, both the Cream Yellow and Sky V4 switches share a bouncy characteristic, providing users with a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation when typing. The keys on both switches have a lively feel, offering a sense of rebound when pressed, enhancing the overall typing experience. This bouncy feel contributes to a more dynamic and tactile typing experience, making both switches a popular choice among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who appreciate a responsive and engaging typing feel.

Overall, the Cream Yellow linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cream Yellow excels in providing a clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, the Sky V4 stands out with its deep thocky sound and bouncy tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference for sound and typing experience, both switches offer a great option for those looking to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, choosing between the Cream Yellow and Sky V4 switches will come down to individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing enjoyment.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a distinctively clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, as well as a medium bottom out force of 58 grams, then the Cream Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper, thocky sound with a smooth linear action and a slightly lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, then the Sky V4 might be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, typing feel, and bottom out force. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different typing experiences, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences and typing needs.

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