Dareu Dream vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Dream and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream are both linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their unique characteristics. The Dareu Dream is favored for its lightness and affordability, making it a top choice for enthusiasts looking for quality without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its use of POK material, providing typists with a smooth and creamy typing experience reminiscent of its namesake dessert. While the Dareu Dream is praised for its easy-to-press and clacky feel, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a buttery, high-pitched, and resonant typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Dream and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. In terms of the top housing, the Dream utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile with its relatively stiff plastic composition. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a proprietary KTT blend top housing that offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials aim to enhance the sound quality of the switches, the Dream's polycarbonate emphasizes clarity and resonance, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's blend focuses more on creating a distinctive clacky sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Dareu Dream incorporates nylon, a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer and sound-absorbing properties. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK bottom housing, which boasts exceptional durability, smoothness, and shock resistance. The POK material contributes to the overall smooth and clacky feel of the switches, surpassing nylon in durability and wear resistance. While both bottom housings aim to enhance the overall typing experience, the Dream's nylon emphasizes a rounder sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material prioritizes durability and smoothness.
Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch plays a vital role in determining the overall sound and feel of the typing experience. The qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom, influencing the sound when pressing down on a key and letting go. While the Dareu Dream emphasizes clarity and deeper sound profiles with its polycarbonate and nylon housing, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream focuses on producing a distinct clacky sound and smooth typing experience with its proprietary blend and POK material. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Dream is lighter with an actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 43 grams. The bottom out force of the Vanilla Ice Cream is 48 grams, which is not known for the Dream. In terms of weight, the Dream would be considered the lighter option. Actuation force is crucial for the initial keystroke, while bottom out force is important for a typing experience that feels substantial. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Dream providing a lighter touch and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a slightly heavier feel for those who prefer a stronger push when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Dream has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Dream's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional and provides a deeper key press feel, which may be preferable for those who enjoy a more substantial key press. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's 3.5 mm travel distance is slightly shorter, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for a faster response time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding key press depth and responsiveness. In this case, the Dream offers a longer travel distance, while the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a slightly shorter one, catering to different preferences in switch feel.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 is known for its clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound, thanks to the use of POK material in its stem and bottom housing. Both switches deliver distinct sound signatures, with the Dream emphasizing a sharper tone while the Vanilla Ice Cream leans towards a higher-pitched and resonant sound.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is praised for being easy-to-press and offering a mild typing experience with minimal force required to activate the key. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. While the Dream focuses on a lighter actuation force and a gentle typing sensation, the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizes a luxurious and creamy feel that enhances the overall typing experience.
Overall, the Dareu Dream linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dream is ideal for those seeking a light and easy-to-press linear switch with a clacky sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, paired with a high-pitched and resonant sound. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches provide quality options for enthusiasts looking for linear switches in their mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prioritize a very light linear option with an attractive price point, the Dareu Dream switch might be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that offers a remarkably smooth and creamy typing experience, with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, then the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences regarding typing feel, sound profile, and budget. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different needs and preferences, so be sure to weigh your options carefully before making a decision.
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