Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver are two popular options with distinct features. The Dareu Firefly is a tactile switch known for its quiet operation and light actuation, providing a unique typing experience with just a hint of clickiness. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is a linear switch made of POM material, offering a short travel distance for fast actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. If you prefer a tactile switch with a light actuation and subtle clickiness, the Dareu Firefly may be the ideal choice for you. Alternatively, if you prioritize fast actuation and smooth typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie Silver could be the perfect fit. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, it is evident that they both prioritize sound profiles, albeit in different ways. The Firefly utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, leading to a deeper and more muted sound. Despite this difference, both materials are known for enhancing sound quality, with the Firefly's polycarbonate offering a clear and resonant tone, while the Smoothie Silver's POM provides a unique and pleasing sound profile.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Firefly opts for nylon while the Smoothie Silver employs POM. Nylon is recognized for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound to create a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, POM in the Smoothie Silver's bottom housing contributes to a deeper and muted sound profile, aligning with the switch's overall sound characteristics. Despite the difference in materials, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by providing quality sound feedback through their bottom housing materials.
While the housing materials for the top and bottom differ between the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, the emphasis on sound quality remains consistent. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a variety of sound profiles to be achieved within each switch. The impact of the bottom housing is felt during key presses, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Both switches ultimately offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of their top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
Comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the Firefly has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Smoothie Silver's 45 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force. The difference in actuation force means that the Firefly may feel a bit lighter to type on compared to the Smoothie Silver. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Firefly more comfortable for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, individuals who like a bit more resistance in their keystrokes may lean towards the Smoothie Silver for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences in terms of actuation force and typing feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Smoothie Silver's 3.4 mm. The Firefly offers a more substantial depth when pressing down on the key, which may be preferred by those who appreciate a more pronounced feedback. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver provides a shorter travel distance, making it ideal for individuals looking for quicker response times, such as gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference - whether one prioritizes a longer, more tactile experience or a shorter, snappier response. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of the chosen switch.
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 Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch offers a chirpy sound that sets it apart from other switches with a unique acoustic signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, which is smooth and feather-light, providing a different auditory experience. Depending on your preference, the Firefly switch will provide a quieter typing experience with just a hint of clickiness, while the Smoothie Silver switch will have a more solid and smooth sound.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch is easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The overall typing experience is enhanced by providing a responsive and low-impact typing feel. Unfortunately, information on the feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is not provided, but based on its short travel distance and feather-light touch, it is likely that it will also offer a smooth and comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch provides a unique and quiet typing experience with an easy-to-press feel, making it ideal for users who prefer a light actuation force. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a smooth and thocky sound with a short travel distance for fast actuation, potentially appealing to users looking for a quick and responsive typing experience. Depending on your sound and feel preferences, both switches have their own distinct qualities that cater to different user needs. Ultimately, the best choice between the two will depend on your personal typing preferences and what qualities you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, you should consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a light actuation with a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer lightning-fast actuation, a thocky sound, and a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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