Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Ink Box Black
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Ink Box Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Firefly mechanical keyboard switch offers a unique tactile experience with its light actuation and subtle clickiness, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Black switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, reminiscent of a spray paint can being shaken, which may appeal to those who enjoy a sleek and polished typing experience. While these general descriptions provide a good starting point for choosing a switch, diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you make the best decision based on your personal preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Ink Box Black, one can see clear differences in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. This is especially beneficial for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend top housing offers a more pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. Both materials provide unique auditory experiences, with the Firefly offering a clearer and resonant sound while the Ink Box Black provides a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Firefly's nylon material results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This creates a duller and rounder sound that can enhance the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing mirrors the characteristics of its top housing, offering a pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is also described as clacky. Despite the differences in composition, both bottom housings contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed, with nylon offering a more absorbent quality for sound and Gateron's INK blend providing a consistent clacky sound.
While the top and bottom housings of the Firefly and Ink Box Black differ in materials, their impact on the overall sound profile of the switches is significant. The bottom housing material has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, with nylon creating a deeper and fuller sound in the Firefly and Gateron's INK blend offering a clacky sound in the Ink Box Black. On the other hand, the top housing material plays a larger role in the sound produced when a key is released, with polycarbonate providing a sharp and resonant sound in the Firefly and the INK blend offering a pointed and high-pitched sound in the Ink Box Black. Despite these differences, both materials contribute to a unique typing experience that can be tailored to individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch, it is evident that they have differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Firefly has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, whereas the Ink Box Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Firefly is unknown, while the Ink Box Black has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Firefly may offer a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for extended periods of typing or gaming, while the Ink Box Black provides a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces to achieve the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch, it is clear that the Firefly has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.6 mm travel distance of the Ink Box Black. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Firefly being on the longer end and the Ink Box Black being slightly shorter. Gamers, in particular, may gravitate towards the shorter travel distance of the Ink Box Black for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Firefly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Firefly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Firefly for $3.76.
The Gateron Ink Box Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Black for $7.65.
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 Firefly tactile switch offers a chirpy and unique acoustic signature, setting itself apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch is described as clacky and high-pitched, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. While the Firefly switch is quieter and has a hint of clickiness, the Ink Box Black switch produces a more noticeable and percussive sound, resembling a spray paint can being shaken.
In terms of feel, the Firefly switch is characterized by being easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This contributes to a typing experience that is effortless, comfortable, and reduces finger fatigue during extended use. Conversely, the Gateron Ink Box Black switch provides a silky and polished typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and minimized resistance during key presses and releases. This results in a sleek and refined typing feel, enhancing the overall user experience.
Considering all the available information, it is evident that the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Firefly switch provides a quieter and lighter actuation with a unique chirpy sound, the Ink Box Black switch delivers a sharper and more percussive clacky sound alongside a silky and polished typing feel. Depending on personal preference for sound and typing experience, users can choose between the two switches to achieve their desired results, knowing that both provide high-quality performance in their respective areas.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a light actuation with a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with incredibly smooth and creamy key presses, the Ink Box Black switch would be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a chirpy sound with easy-to-press keys, the Firefly switch may be more appealing to you. However, if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with silky and polished key presses, the Ink Box Black switch would be the better option. Ultimately, your preference for actuation force, sound, and typing feel will guide you in choosing the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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