Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Dareu Mahjong provide distinct yet comparable options for enthusiasts seeking a linear switch experience. The Everfree Cedar stands out for its smooth and reliable performance, thanks to Gateron's trusted proprietary mold, delivering a satisfying poppy sound profile, making it a cost-effective choice for gamers and typists alike. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong switches offer a unique visual appeal with their vibrant green and white color scheme, alongside a lively sound signature and an effortless typing experience. While both switches cater to those who prefer a linear feel, the Everfree Cedar emphasizes performance and value, whereas the Mahjong focuses on aesthetics and a bouncy, polished touch. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Dareu Mahjong, a notable contrast exists in the choices for the top housing. The Everfree's polycarbonate top housing is celebrated for its stiffness and translucency, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that resonates powerfully. Its capacity to showcase RGB lighting further enhances its aesthetic appeal, making it an excellent option for visually-driven setups. In contrast, the Mahjong utilizes POK (polyketone), which, while also a high-quality material, offers a smoother typing experience due to its lower coefficient of friction. Although POK does not provide the same degree of sound sharpness as polycarbonate, it contributes to a clacky and smooth feel during keystrokes, showcasing its distinct tactile characteristics.
On the other hand, both the Everfree and Mahjong feature nylon for their bottom housing, creating a common ground in terms of performance and acoustic quality. However, this similarity in materials results in a deeper and fuller sound profile in both switches, as nylon's sound-absorbing properties dampen higher frequencies and produce a rounder auditory experience. Consequently, regardless of the differences in their top housings, the nylon bottom enhances the overall sound profile similarly in both switches, ensuring a rich typing experience. This shared material helps create a balanced auditory sensation that users have come to appreciate in classic switch designs.
Ultimately, the combination of these different top and bottom housing materials in the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Dareu Mahjong yields unique yet harmonizing results. With the polycarbonate housing of the Everfree enhancing clarity and the nylon housing providing depth, there's a delicate interplay of sound traits at work. In contrast, the Mahjong’s POK top impresses with its gliding characteristics, while the shared nylon bottom reinforces that classic, deeper sound profile. Thus, even with their individual distinctions, both switches leverage their specific materials effectively to achieve a commendable typing experience that appeals to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch exhibit different actuation forces, making them suitable for varying user preferences. The Everfree Cedar has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Mahjong switch requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This makes the Mahjong switch a better choice for those who prefer a lighter touch, facilitating longer typing sessions without fatigue, ideal for work or extended gaming. In contrast, the heavier 55 grams of the Everfree Cedar will appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial push feel, offering a satisfying tactile feedback during use. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which means we can't compare this aspect directly; however, the different actuation forces suggest that users may prefer the lighter Mahjong for casual use and the heavier Everfree for a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Everfree (EF) Cedar features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Mahjong has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Mahjong switch provides a quicker response time, making it more appealing for gamers who prefer a snappier feel. Conversely, the Everfree switch offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which can be beneficial for those who enjoy a more substantial pressing experience. Thus, for users prioritizing responsiveness, the Dareu Mahjong would be the better choice, while the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar caters to those who favor a deeper key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar has an MSRP of $2.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Everfree (EF) Cedar for $2.75.
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch is characterized by a satisfying, poppy tone which aligns it closely with the Dareu Mahjong switch, known for its lively, poppy sound signature as well. Both switches offer a dynamic auditory experience, making them suitable for a range of environments, whether you're typing at home or in an office setting. Despite this similarity, the actual sound can still be influenced by external factors such as the choice of keyboard case and keycap material. Consequently, in terms of auditory enjoyment, users can expect a comparable engaging sound experience from either switch.
When it comes to feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar has not been explicitly defined, but we can infer that it offers a smooth and responsive typing experience common to linear switches. In contrast, the Dareu Mahjong switches exhibit a more bouncy feel complemented by a mild characteristic that accommodates a gentle typing experience. Additionally, the Mahjong switches boast a polished finish, resulting in an exceptionally smooth key travel. Overall, while the feel of the Everfree (EF) Cedar remains somewhat ambiguous, the Dareu Mahjong switches provide a distinctly enjoyable tactile feedback that many users will appreciate.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Dareu Mahjong linear switches cater well to users looking for efficient, reliable performance with enjoyable auditory and tactile qualities. While the sound profiles of both switches align closely with a poppy characteristic, the feel of the Mahjong switch offers additional attributes such as bounce and polish that elevate the typing experience. Those choosing between the two will likely find that their preference will lean heavily on the subtleties of feel, while they can confidently expect similar sound characteristics from both options.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Dareu Mahjong linear switches cater to different preferences and typing experiences, making the choice between the two contingent upon your specific needs. If you prioritize a smooth and reliable performance at an affordable price, the Everfree (EF) Cedar may be the right switch for you, especially if you appreciate a satisfying poppy sound profile during your typing sessions. These switches, renowned for their dependable design, are ideal for those who engage in long typing sessions and seek consistency without any jarring feedback. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more dynamic typing experience with a bouncy feel and a lively sound signature, the Dareu Mahjong switch would be a suitable choice. The Mahjong provides a polished and mild experience that makes it versatile enough for both home and work environments. Its spring-like feedback can invigorate your typing, making it a fun choice for casual use or gaming. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value a straightforward, reliable switch like the Everfree (EF) Cedar or a more engaging and responsive experience like the Mahjong.
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