Dareu Dream vs. Gateron Ink Red
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Ink Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Dream and Gateron Ink Red mechanical keyboard switches, both linear in design, a few key points stand out. The Dareu Dream switches are well-known for their light and easy-to-press feel, accompanied by a clacky sound profile, making them a popular choice for enthusiasts looking for a balance of quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red switches are distinguished by their lower actuation force, providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a crispy sound profile. Those with a lighter typing style may prefer the effortless feel of the Ink Reds. 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
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream features a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the Gateron Ink Red's proprietary INK blend top housing. The Dream's top housing is known for its clarity and resonance due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Ink Red's top housing offers a pointy and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky, providing a different typing experience. While both top housings have their unique characteristics, the Dream's polycarbonate top housing may be preferred for those looking for a more vibrant and resonant sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Dareu Dream's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Gateron Ink Red's proprietary INK blend bottom housing. The nylon material is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that can be appealing to some users. Conversely, the Ink Red's bottom housing offers a similar high-pitched sound profile with a satisfying clacky feel. The differences in bottom housing materials between the two switches can impact the overall typing experience, with the Dream providing a deeper sound compared to the Ink Red's thinner sound profile.
When considering the overall typing experience, the choice of housing materials for both the top and bottom of a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel of each keystroke. The split qualities between the bottom and top housings on a switch like the Dareu Dream or Gateron Ink Red can result in distinct tactile sensations when typing. The impact of the bottom housing is felt during the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Whether one prefers the sharper and resonant sound of the Dareu Dream's polycarbonate housing or the higher-pitched and clacky feel of the Gateron Ink Red's proprietary INK blend, the housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience in unique ways.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch to the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, it is clear that the Dream is lighter in terms of actuation force at 40 grams compared to the Ink Red's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Ink Red at 60 grams is heavier than the Dream's unknown bottom out force. This means that the Dream switch may provide a lighter typing experience, which is ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch offers a more substantial push feel, catering to those who prefer a stronger typing experience. Despite the differences in actuation and bottom out forces, both switches provide a smooth linear feel, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing precision and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This ensures that both switches provide a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance. Whether you choose the Dream or the Ink Red, you can expect similar results in this regard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
The Gateron Ink Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch offers a clacky sound profile, characterized by sharp and snappy keystrokes that are crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch provides a neutral sound with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for various typing styles. Additionally, the Ink Reds have a chirpy characteristic, adding a unique acoustic signature to the typing experience. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The switch also provides a mild typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone suitable for most users. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch offers a silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing overall smoothness during key presses and releases. The switch provides a polished feel, resulting in a refined and sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Dream and Gateron Ink Red linear switches offer different sound profiles and tactile feels, both provide excellent options for enthusiasts seeking quality linear switches. The Dream switch stands out for its light and clacky sound, easy-to-press actuation, and mild typing experience at an affordable price point. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch impresses with its satisfyingly smooth feel, lower actuation force, chirpy sound profile, and polished typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer reliable performance and can deliver a satisfying typing experience for a variety of users. Ultimately, choosing between the Dareu Dream and Gateron Ink Red switches will depend on your personal typing style and preferences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Dream linear switch or the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. If you prefer a very light linear switch with a lower actuation force and an attractive price point, the Dareu Dream switch is a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force switch that is smooth, clacky, and effortless to type on, the Gateron Ink Red switch would be the better choice. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so make sure to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your typing style and what typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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