Dareu Firefly vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Oreo mechanical keyboard switches, both of which fall under the tactile switch category, we see distinct differences in their characteristics. The Firefly is praised for its unique take on clicky switches, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation and a hint of clickiness, making it easy to press and chirpy. On the other hand, the Oreo stands out for its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, providing a medium light tactility and a subtle, mellow sound profile. Choosing between these switches may depend on your preference for a lighter actuation and quieter typing experience with the Firefly, or a more pronounced tactility and comfortable typing experience with the Oreo. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Oreo both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiff plastic, creating a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, where the two keyboards differ is in their bottom housing material. The Firefly features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing continues to contribute to a sharp and clear sound, maintaining consistency in the overall sound profile of the keyboard.
While the top housings of the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Oreo share the same material, their bottom housings set them apart in terms of sound and feel. The Firefly's nylon bottom housing offers a different typing experience, with a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can impact not only the sound but also the tactile feedback of a keyboard. Despite the differences in bottom housing, both keyboards maintain a high-quality sound profile that is characteristic of the polycarbonate top housing, providing users with a satisfying typing experience.
In summary, the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Oreo showcase the importance of housing materials in shaping the sound profile of mechanical keyboards. While both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, contrasting with the Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing that maintains a sharp and clear sound. The choice of housing material highlights the complexity of keyboard design and how different materials can impact the overall typing experience, from sound to tactile feedback. Ultimately, both keyboards offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, it is evident that the Firefly has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Oreo's 45 grams. Since the bottom out force for the Firefly is unknown and the Oreo's bottom out force is 55 grams, the Oreo is heavier in this aspect. For those who prefer a lighter touch when typing for extended periods, the Firefly may be the preferred choice due to its lower actuation force. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience that requires a stronger push, the Oreo with its higher bottom out force may be more suitable. In terms of similarities, both switches offer tactile feedback and will provide a satisfying typing experience regardless of their differences in force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that they offer the same tactile feedback and typing experience in terms of key travel. This means that users can expect a consistent feel and response when using either switch. The Firefly and Oreo switches are equal in this aspect, ensuring that users will get similar results when typing or gaming. The similarity in travel distance highlights the attention to detail and precision in the design of both switches, catering to the preferences of different users looking for a specific 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 Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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, both the Dareu Firefly and Everglide Oreo tactile switches are described as having a "chirpy" sound profile, which adds a unique acoustic signature to each keystroke. The Firefly switch offers a subtle and mellow sound, while the Oreo switch provides a similar chirpy sound experience. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Firefly switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering a gentle resistance during key presses that requires minimal force to activate. This light actuation force provides a comfortable typing experience and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switch is described as accented and stepped, providing a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. This gives users a satisfying tactile feedback without being too harsh on the fingertips.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Firefly and Everglide Oreo tactile switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Firefly switch provides a quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, the Oreo switch delivers a crisp tactile bump followed by a cushioned bottom out sensation. Whether you prefer a quieter typing experience with a gentle touch or a more pronounced tactile feedback, both switches offer a balance between comfort and satisfaction. Ultimately, choosing between the Firefly and Oreo switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a light actuation force with a hint of clickiness and a very quiet typing experience, then the Firefly may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, along with a comfortable typing sensation, then the Oreo switch might be more suited to your typing style. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard typing experience.
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