Dareu Dream vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. The Dareu Dream is a light linear switch known for its clacky yet mild typing experience, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize ease of use and affordability without sacrificing quality. This switch is particularly appealing to enthusiasts who are looking to enjoy a satisfying response without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, a medium-weight linear switch constructed with durable POM materials, delivers a deeper "thocky" sound profile while ensuring a notably smooth keypress. This switch stands out for those seeking a balanced typing experience that combines tactile feedback with a pleasant auditory element. Each switch brings its own strengths, whether it’s the affordability and lightness of the Dream or the robust feel and sound of the Smoothie. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, we find that these switches employ different materials for their top housings, which leads to distinct sound profiles. The Dareu Dream utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffer nature enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts seeking a pronounced auditory feedback, especially when RGB lighting is involved due to its translucency. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie uses a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. While each material leads to different auditory experiences, both serve to create shifts in the switch's overall sound, catering to varied typing preferences.
In terms of bottom housings, the Dareu Dream incorporates a nylon construction, which is recognized for its contributions to a duller and rounder sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller auditory experience when typing. Meanwhile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's POM bottom housing similarly focuses on creating a deeper and relatively muted sound, albeit with its own unique characteristics. While both switches are equipped with bottom housings that aim for a muted sound experience, the nylon in the Dream adds a traditional feel versus the modern appeal of POM in the Sea Salt Smoothie. This distinction highlights each switch's approach in creating satisfying acoustics, with the combination of their respective top and bottom materials affecting the overall auditory outcome.
Ultimately, both the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer unique sound profiles that reflect the qualities of their respective housing materials. Users will experience different auditory characteristics when typing, with the Dream's polycarbonate top contributing to the clarity of sound while the nylon bottom provides fullness, creating a harmonious typing experience. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM materials contribute to a more muted yet pleasurable typing feel and sound. Although the materials differ, the final performance of each switch is a product of the synergy between the top and bottom housing traits, ensuring that regardless of material discrepancies, users can achieve satisfying results tailored to their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Dream switch has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it the lighter option, ideal for prolonged typing or gaming sessions due to the reduced strain on the fingers. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie features a higher actuation force of 48 grams, which provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier switch. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to compare that aspect directly. Nevertheless, users can expect a softer feel from the Dream switch and a firmer feel from the Sea Salt Smoothie, influencing their decision based on personal preference for typing comfort versus a more tactile experience.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch reveals a notable difference in their specifications. The Dareu Dream features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Dream offers a more traditional feel with greater depth, making it potentially more suitable for those who enjoy a heftier keypress. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, caters more to gamers and users who prioritize quicker response times and a more rapid actuation. Consequently, users who prefer a more pronounced key feel may lean towards the Dareu Dream, while those seeking responsiveness might favor the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie. Thus, choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference for travel depth versus responsiveness.
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 Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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
The sound profile of the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by a clacky quality, producing a sharp and snappy auditory response upon each key press. This sound is crisp, bright, and percussive, making the typing experience feel lively and engaging. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie lacks a specific sound description, but as a smooth linear switch, it may produce a quieter and more subdued sound compared to the more pronounced clacky nature of the Dream. It's important to note that the sound produced can also be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard construction and keycap selection.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream offers an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance during key presses, allowing for effortless typing. The light actuation force contributes to a comfortable experience, effectively reducing finger fatigue even during prolonged typing sessions. Additionally, the mild characteristics of the Dream ensure that its response is approachable for users of various typing preferences. Information about the tactile and resistance qualities of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is unspecified, which leaves some uncertainty about how its feel compares, though it is generally known for offering a smooth linear experience.
In summary, both the Dareu Dream and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel. The Dream is favored for its engaging clacky sound and effortless typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy a lively auditory feedback. In contrast, while the Sea Salt Smoothie may resonate with users looking for smooth operation, its lack of specific sound or feel information makes it harder to draw direct comparisons. For users considering one of these switches, both options promise to deliver a satisfying typing experience, yet ultimately cater to different sensibilities in sound and tactile responses during use.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately comes down to your individual preferences and typing style. If you prefer a very light, easy-to-press switch that minimizes finger fatigue, especially during long typing sessions, the Dareu Dream is an excellent option for you. Its clacky sound profile adds a lively element to your typing experience, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more energetic auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you seek a medium-weight switch that balances performance with a thocky acoustic signature, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is worth considering. This switch not only offers a smooth keystroke, but its construction with POM materials enhances both the feel and durability, appealing to those who favor a more substantial feel without sacrificing quality. Ultimately, your decision should align with whether you value a lighter touch with an engaging sound or a balanced response with rich auditory feedback.
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