Dareu Dream vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Dareu Dream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro mechanical keyboard switches, both options offer their unique advantages that cater to different preferences and needs. The Dareu Dream stands out for its light linear design and attractive price point, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts looking for a balance of quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches are specifically tailored for gamers, offering effortless keystrokes with a pleasing bassy sound, light actuation force, and shortened travel distance - ideal for situations where speed and precision are paramount. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, both switches have nylon bottom housings, which produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite their differences in material for the bottom housing, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials.
One significant difference between the Dareu Dream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro lies in their housing materials. While both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing, the Dream utilizes polycarbonate for the bottom housing as well. This results in a consistent sharp and crisp sound profile throughout the typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Silver Pro features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This difference in housing materials leads to varied sound profiles and tactile feedback for each switch.
In terms of construction, the Dareu Dream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro illustrate how housing materials can influence the overall typing experience. The Dream's use of polycarbonate for both top and bottom housings provides a consistent and resonant sound profile with a sharper tone. In comparison, the V3 Silver Pro's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials results in a mix of sharpness and depth in sound, offering a unique typing feel. Although both switches incorporate polycarbonate in their top housings, the distinction in bottom housing materials showcases how different combinations can impact the overall auditory and tactile feedback of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 40 grams. However, the bottom out force differs between the two switches, with the Dareu Dream having an unknown bottom out force while the Akko V3 Silver Pro has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is considered light. This means that while both switches require the same amount of force to register a keystroke, the Akko V3 Silver Pro will provide a slightly heavier feel when bottoming out compared to the Dareu Dream. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Dareu Dream may be more suitable, while individuals who enjoy a bit more resistance when typing may lean towards the Akko V3 Silver Pro. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Dareu Dream linear switch is 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Dareu Dream offers a more traditional travel distance of 4 mm, providing a deeper key press feel for those who prefer a more substantial depth when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro's shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm caters to those looking for faster response times, which is favored by many gamers. Both options have their own advantages, with the Dareu Dream offering a longer travel distance for those who prefer more depth, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro provides a shorter travel distance for quicker key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing or gaming style.
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 Akko V3 Silver Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Silver Pro for $3.10.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Dream linear switches are known for their clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound with each keystroke. This sound quality adds a satisfyingly crisp and bright element to typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switches offer a high-pitched sound, delivering a sharp and crisp noise when activated. The choice between these two options depends on personal preference, with the Dream switches providing a clacky sound and the V3 Silver Pro switches offering a higher-pitched tone.
Moving on to feel, both the Dareu Dream and Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switches provide an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to activate each key. This light actuation force reduces finger fatigue and enhances typing comfort, making them suitable for extended use. The Dream switches are described as easy-to-press and mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. In comparison, the V3 Silver Pro switches provide a creamy, feathery, polished, and silky feel, creating a smooth and buttery typing sensation that allows for effortless keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel for users.
In conclusion, the Dareu Dream linear switches and Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switches offer distinctive sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Dream switches are known for their clacky sound and easy-to-press, mild feel, the V3 Silver Pro switches stand out with a high-pitched sound and various additional feel descriptors like creamy, feathery, polished, and silky. Based on these subjective qualities, users can choose the switch that aligns best with their individual preferences and typing requirements. Whether opting for the Dream or V3 Silver Pro switches, users can expect a satisfying typing experience with similar results, albeit with different sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, you should choose the Dareu Dream if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a very light actuation force. The Dareu Dream switches are ideal for those seeking quality and affordability in their mechanical keyboard. On the other hand, if you are a gamer looking for a switch specifically engineered for gaming scenarios where speed and precision are paramount, the Akko V3 Silver Pro is the better choice. These switches offer a light actuation force, shortened travel distance, and produce a pleasing bassy sound with every keystroke. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences, whether it be for typing comfort or gaming performance.
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