Dareu Dream vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Dream and Gateron Smoothie are two excellent options to consider. The Dareu Dream is a linear switch that is known for its light and easy-to-press feel, as well as its attractive price point, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts who value both quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie is also a linear switch, but stands out for its all-POM construction, offering a thocky sound signature, unmatched smoothness, and a lightweight touch. While the Dream is favored for its clacky and mild characteristics, the Smoothie is praised for its buttery, low-pitched, and creamy attributes. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Smoothie offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different properties. The Dream's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound, while the Smoothie's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted sound. The translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the Dream. In contrast, the unique sound created by POM in the Smoothie's top housing gives it a distinct character.
Moving to the bottom housings, the Dream's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound for a duller and rounder profile. On the other hand, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing shares a similar deep and muted sound profile with its POM top housing, offering consistency in sound across the switch's components. Though different in material, both switches prioritize creating a pleasing and unique sound experience for users, focusing on delivering a satisfying typing sound.
Overall, the choice of housing material in a switch can greatly impact the sound and feel of the typing experience. While the Dream and the Smoothie differ in their top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to create distinctive sound profiles for users to enjoy. Understanding how each material contributes to the overall sound of a switch is essential for enthusiasts seeking a specific typing experience. Whether it be the sharper sound of polycarbonate in the Dream or the deeper sound of POM in the Smoothie, both switches offer quality housing materials that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch have the same actuation force of 40 grams. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown. This means that while they both require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke, it is unclear how much force is needed to press the key all the way down. In terms of weight, both switches offer a light typing experience, which is appealing for those who type for extended periods of time or engage in long gaming sessions. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, they may want to consider options with heavier bottom out forces. Overall, whether you choose the Dareu Dream or the Gateron Smoothie, you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of actuation force, but the bottom out force remains a mystery.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, with the Smoothie being slightly shorter than the Dream. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Gateron Smoothie due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Dareu Dream with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of the feel and responsiveness desired.
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 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 Smoothie for $2.60.
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 offers a clacky and sharp sound when pressed, providing a crisp and percussive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch delivers a thocky and low-pitched sound, creating a deep and satisfying typing sound with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. While the Dream switch may have a more vibrant and lively sound profile, the Smoothie switch offers a more subdued and dampened typing sound that is pleasing to the ears. When comparing the two, users can expect different auditory experiences based on their sound preferences and setup.
Moving on to the feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch provides an easy-to-press and mild typing experience, requiring minimal force to activate the keys and offering a gentle resistance that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offers a buttery, creamy, and silky typing sensation, with a smooth and effortless keystroke that provides a seamless and uniform typing experience. While the Dream switch focuses on a low-impact and responsive typing feel, the Smoothie switch excels in delivering a luxurious and smooth typing experience that enhances overall comfort and typing efficiency.
Considering the available information, it is clear that the Dareu Dream and Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of both sound and feel. While the Dream switch provides a clacky and easy-to-press typing experience with a more vibrant sound profile, the Smoothie switch delivers a thocky and buttery typing sensation with a more subdued typing sound. Ultimately, users can expect a different typing experience based on their preferences for sound and feel, with both switches offering quality and performance at their respective price points. If a user enjoys one switch, they may find similar results in terms of quality and performance with the other, ultimately leading to a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider your preferences and priorities. If you are looking for a light linear option with an attractive price point, the Dareu Dream switch may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prioritize a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, the Gateron Smoothie switch could be the better choice for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your individual typing experience and what characteristics matter most to you. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best aligns with your needs and preferences in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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