Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Firefly and Gateron Melodic are both innovative mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features for users seeking either a tactile or clicky typing experience. The Firefly from Dareu provides a quiet and light actuation with a subtle hint of clickiness, making it ideal for those looking for an easy-to-press and chirpy switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic stands out for its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, delivering a classic clicky sound with buttery, resonant, invigorating, and crunchy feedback. Both switches bring something special to the table, catering to different preferences in typing feel and sound. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Melodic feature polycarbonate top housings, which offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This results in a clear and resonant sound when typing on these switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, as it allows for the illumination to shine through the housing. With both switches incorporating polycarbonate top housings, users can expect a similar sound experience and aesthetic appeal when using either the Firefly or the Melodic.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Firefly and the Melodic utilize nylon, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. This material choice enhances the overall typing experience by providing a different sound profile compared to the top housing, creating a more dynamic and satisfying keystroke for users of both the Firefly and the Melodic switches.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings in the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Melodic switches offer a balance of sound qualities that cater to different preferences. While the top housings influence the sound when key releases, the bottom housings impact the bottom-out sound and feel. By incorporating these different housing materials, both switches provide users with a versatile typing experience that blends sharpness, clarity, and depth in their sound profiles. Whether choosing the Firefly or the Melodic, users can expect a well-rounded and dynamic typing experience that caters to their personal preferences.
Weight
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, which has an unknown actuation force. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces. The Firefly's lighter actuation force may make it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, such as during work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Melodic's heavier bottom out force of 60 grams provides a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches would depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a consistent travel distance that is neither shorter nor longer than the other. The similarity in travel distance between these two switches ensures that users can expect a similar tactile feel and response when typing or gaming with either option.
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 Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 switch provides a chirpy and unique acoustic experience with a subtle clickiness, setting it apart from traditional clicky switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic switch offers a resonant and crunchy sound profile, delivering a classic and immersive auditory experience reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the Firefly's chirpy sound or the Melodic's resonant and crunchy tones to enhance their typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Firefly switch offers an easy-to-press sensation with minimal force required for activation, leading to a comfortable and effortless typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. Conversely, the Gateron Melodic switch provides a buttery and invigorating keystroke feel with smooth and fluid actuation, creating a seamless and reactive typing sensation for users seeking a more pronounced feedback and firm actuation force. Whether one prefers the light and easy actuation of the Firefly or the buttery and invigorating feel of the Melodic, both switches offer unique tactile experiences tailored to individual preferences.
In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch each bring a distinctive blend of sound and feel to the mechanical keyboard market. While the Firefly emphasizes a quiet and light actuation with a chirpy sound profile, the Melodic delivers a classic clicky sound with a resonant and crunchy tone, catering to different sound preferences. In terms of feel, the Firefly offers an easy-to-press sensation ideal for reducing finger fatigue, while the Melodic provides a buttery and invigorating keystroke experience for a more reactive typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience for newcomers exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Firefly tactile switch or the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, it ultimately boils down to your personal preferences. If you value a more subtle and quiet typing experience with a light actuation force, then the Dareu Firefly switch would suit you well. On the other hand, if you enjoy the classic clicky sound and tactile feedback with a medium actuation force, then the Gateron Melodic switch may be the better option for you. Both switches have their unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch. Ultimately, the choice between the Dareu Firefly and Gateron Melodic switches will depend on your individual typing preferences and the type of typing experience you desire.
Mentioned in this article
