Dareu Dream vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Dream and SP-Star Meteor White both offer linear options that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Dream is praised for its light linear feel and affordable price point, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for quality at a budget-friendly cost. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White is known for its subdued and gentle linear switch, providing a soft typing experience with a gentle sound profile. While both switches offer a mild typing experience, the Dream leans towards being clacky while the Meteor White is described as thocky and polished. These general comparisons can help guide your decision, 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and SP-Star Meteor White both feature different materials for their top and bottom housings, with the Dream utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom, while the Meteor White features nylon for both the top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Dream creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Meteor White produces a deeper and fuller sound, providing a more muffled and round tone.
In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Dream allows for the translucency that is ideal for RGB lighting effects, giving it a visually striking appearance. In comparison, the nylon top housing of the Meteor White may not offer the same level of visual appeal but focuses more on enhancing the sound profile of the switch. Although both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, the Dream's nylon bottom housing may provide a slightly duller and rounder sound compared to the Meteor White, as the latter utilizes the same material for both top and bottom housings.
Overall, while the Dareu Dream and SP-Star Meteor White both offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials, their differences lie in the specific characteristics each material brings to the typing experience. Whether you prefer the sharp and resonant sound of polycarbonate or the deep and full sound of nylon, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound profile, aesthetics, or a combination of both in your typing experience.
Weight
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a lower actuation force of 40 grams compared to the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Meteor White is 57 grams, indicating a higher force required to fully press the key compared to the Dareu Dream, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Dream switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Meteor White switch is heavier in terms of bottom out force. Those who prefer a light touch may gravitate towards the Dream switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Meteor White switch for a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Dream linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience a similar distance in terms of travel. The travel distance of 4 mm for both switches allows for a consistent typing experience, whether you are using the Dream or the Meteor White. Therefore, the travel distance is equal for both switches, resulting in a similar feel when typing.
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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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
Overall, the Dareu Dream linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch both offer a gentle and soft typing experience. The Dream switch has a more clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, while the Meteor White switch offers a neutral sound with a thocky quality, producing a deep, rich sound. In terms of feel, both switches are easy-to-press and mild, offering minimal resistance and a comfortable typing experience. The Dream switch has a mild characteristic, while the Meteor White switch is polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, both switches are suitable for enthusiasts seeking a light linear option at an affordable price point, and users can expect similar results in terms of feel and sound quality with either switch choice.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Dream linear switch or the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a very light linear switch with an affordable price point, the Dareu Dream switch would be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle linear switch with a moderate sound profile and smooth key travel, the SP-Star Meteor White switch may be more suitable. Both switches offer a soft typing experience, but the Dream switch leans towards being easy-to-press, while the Meteor White switch provides a polished typing feel. Consider your desired bottom out force, sound profile (clacky for Dream, neutral and thocky for Meteor White), and typing feel (mild and easy-to-press for Dream, mild and polished for Meteor White) when making your choice. Ultimately, either switch would be a solid pick depending on your specific preferences.
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