Dareu Dream vs. Kailh NovelKeys Cream

Overview

The Dareu Dream and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that both fall under the category of linear switches, offering smooth keystrokes with no tactile bump. The Dareu Dream is known for its light actuation force, clacky sound profile, and mild feel, all at an attractive price point, making it a great option for enthusiasts looking for a balance of quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream provides a heftier typing experience with a deep sound profile and a textured feel, giving it a buttery, low-pitched, resonant, and invigorating sensation when typing. While both switches offer a linear typing experience, the Dream focuses on a lighter and clacky feel, whereas the Cream offers a heavier and more textured typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Dareu Dream Linear

Kailh NovelKeys Cream Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

$6.50

$6.25 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

One key difference between the Dareu Dream and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream is in their top housing materials. The Dream utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Cream features a POM top housing, contributing to a deeper and more muted sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the Dream's polycarbonate housing may be more suitable for those looking for a crisper sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting.

Another point of comparison lies in the bottom housing materials of the Dream and the Cream. The Dream's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the Cream's POM bottom housing, which also creates a deeper and more muted sound. Despite the differences in material, both switches offer a pleasing sound experience, with the Dream's nylon housing providing a potentially more robust sound due to its softer nature.

In terms of overall sound and feel, the difference in top and bottom housing materials between the Dream and the Cream can lead to distinct typing experiences. While the qualities of the bottom housing material have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing the key. This split in housing materials can offer users a unique tactile experience with each switch, highlighting the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in determining the overall sound profile and typing feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.

Weight

When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch to the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, it is clear that there are noticeable differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Cream's heavier 55 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Cream requires a heavier 70 grams compared to the Dream's unknown value. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Dareu Dream due to its lower actuation force, allowing for extended typing without fatigue. Alternatively, those seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience may opt for the Kailh NovelKeys Cream with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. 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 Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the travel distance of these two switches, it is evident that they provide a similar typing experience in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that users can expect consistent results in terms of keypress depth when using either switch. The shared travel distance of 4 mm makes it easier for users to transition between keyboards equipped with these switches without having to adjust to a different feel or typing experience. Overall, the travel distance of both the Dareu Dream and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switches ensures a comfortable and familiar typing experience for users.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch offers a deeper, low-pitched sound with a resonant quality, contributing to a bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing sessions. The Dream switch leans towards a bright and percussive sound, while the Cream switch delivers a clean and sharp sound profile that immerses the user in the typing experience.

When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by being easy-to-press and mild, requiring minimal force for key presses and offering a low-impact typing feel. In contrast, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch provides a buttery, textured, and invigorating typing experience, boasting a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation with noticeable feedback and moderate to firm actuation force. The Dream switch focuses on effortless and comfortable typing, while the Cream switch prioritizes a more pronounced and reactive feel for a dynamic typing experience.

In conclusion, the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Dream switch presents a lighter and more affordable option with a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, the Cream switch delivers a heftier typing experience with a deeper, more resonant sound and a buttery, invigorating feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing sensation, both switches provide unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. Ultimately, selecting between the Dream and Cream switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a light and easy-to-press switch with a mild feel and clacky sound, the Dareu Dream switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-heavy switch with a buttery and invigorating feel, along with a low-pitched and resonant sound profile, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch would be more suitable for your typing needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience and sound profile you find most enjoyable and comfortable.

Mentioned in this article

Dareu Dream Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

Learn more

Kailh NovelKeys Cream Linear

$6.50

$6.25 per 10

Learn more