Dareu Dream vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Black both offer unique features and benefits. The Dareu Dream is a linear switch that is best known for its light actuation and attractive price point, making it a favorite among enthusiasts looking for quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Outemu Black is also a linear switch, known for its smooth and consistent feel. While the Dream is characterized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Clacky', and 'Mild', the Black does not have any specific characteristics listed. Both switches have their own advantages and drawbacks, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Black have some similarities and differences. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Dream's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a dulled and rounder sound. Similarly, the Black's nylon bottom housing offers the same qualities, contributing to a more muted typing experience.
Despite their similar top housing material, the Dream and the Black differ in their bottom housing material. While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, each offers a unique typing experience. The Dream's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Black's nylon bottom housing also provides a similar typing experience, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. These differences in bottom housing material contribute to subtle variations in the sound and feel of pressing down on the keys for each switch.
Overall, the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Black play a significant role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Dream and the Black respectively result in unique characteristics for each switch. While both switches offer a sharper and crisper sound profile with their polycarbonate top housing, the Dream's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper typing sound compared to the Black's nylon bottom housing, which produces a duller sound. Ultimately, the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Black contribute to their distinct sound profiles and typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch to the Outemu Black linear switch, there is a significant difference in actuation force and bottom out force. The Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with less effort compared to the Black, which requires 65 grams of force. However, the bottom out force for the Dream is unknown, while the Black has a heavier bottom out force of 82 grams. This means that while the Dream may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter keystroke feel, the Black would be better for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these two switches provide a contrasting typing experience, with the Dream being lighter and the Black being heavier.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This consistency in travel distance makes them similar in terms of key feel and responsiveness. However, despite their equal travel distances, the construction and materials of each switch may still result in a slightly different typing experience. Overall, both switches offer a standard travel distance that can provide a satisfying typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
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 Outemu Black comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 is known for producing a clacky sound, which is sharp, snappy, and crisp when pressed. On the other hand, there is no specific description available for the Outemu Black linear switch's sound. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances the typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Dream switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. However, there is no available description for the feel of the Outemu Black linear switch.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that the Dareu Dream linear switch excels in providing a light and easy-to-press typing experience with a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, information about the Outemu Black linear switch is lacking. Therefore, if looking for a similar typing experience to the Dream switch, the Outemu Black linear switch might be worth considering for those who prefer a linear switch with unknown subjective qualities. Ultimately, personal preference will play a significant role in determining which switch is the best fit for each individual's typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light and affordable linear switch with a smooth typing experience and minimal bottom out force, the Dareu Dream switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier switch with a bottom out force of 82 grams, the Outemu Black linear switch would be more suitable for your typing needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of actuation force, sound profile, and typing experience. Choose wisely based on what feels best for you while typing.
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