TTC Flaming Pink vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often comes down to personal preference, and two linear options that have garnered attention are the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow. The Flaming Pink switches are celebrated for their smooth and responsive feel combined with a satisfying bottom-out sound, making them an excellent choice for both gaming enthusiasts and everyday typists who appreciate a premium typing experience. Their bright yet not overly loud sound profile allows for an immersive yet discreet operation. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switches distinguish themselves with their innovative POK material, which contributes to a deeper sound signature and a smooth action that many users find appealing. With descriptors like "thocky," "neutral," and "bouncy," the Snow switches create a unique auditory and tactile experience that can enhance typing enjoyment. Both switches have their merits and specific characteristics that cater to different preferences, but 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
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow switches demonstrate a distinct divergence in their upper housing compositions, while they share a commonality in their lower housing material. The Flaming Pink utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, a choice noted for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic allows for increased resonance and clarity, particularly beneficial when RGB lighting is employed, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual effects of the lighting. In contrast, the Dareu Snow incorporates a POK top housing, which is well-regarded for its exceptional smoothness and impressive durability, with a higher coefficient of friction and superior wear resistance compared to other plastics like POM. Consequently, while both switches aim to deliver an engaging typing experience, the sonic characteristics differ significantly due to the inherent properties of their top housing materials.
On the other hand, both switches favor nylon for their bottom housing, which serves to harmonize their overall sound profiles. Nylon is recognized for its softer consistency, allowing it to absorb sound effectively and produce a richer, fuller auditory experience. This affinity for sound absorption leads to deeper bottom-out sounds and a tonal warmness that can enhance typing comfort. The shared use of nylon allows both the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow switches to create a similar acoustic foundation, ensuring that despite the differences in their top housing materials, the switches will provide a pleasing and well-rounded auditory experience upon key activation.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of each switch's design lies in the combined impact of both the top and bottom housing materials. While the Flaming Pink's polycarbonate top housing contributes brightness and clarity during key release, contrasting with the smooth but clacky sound from the Snow's POK housing, the commonality of nylon in the bottom housing ensures both switches deliver the deeper, fuller sound that typists often appreciate. In blending these differing sonic properties, users can experience unique yet complementary results that highlight the specific advantages of each switch's construction while maintaining an enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Flaming Pink switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience during long work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Snow switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial feel that some typists may appreciate for its tactile feedback. Consequently, those who favor a lighter switch for comfort will find the Flaming Pink more appealing, while the Dareu Snow would cater to users who enjoy a firmer push for a robust typing experience. Overall, these differences highlight important factors to consider based on personal preference for typing feel and endurance during extended use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow linear switches, the Flaming Pink offers a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Snow measures a slightly shorter distance of 3.3 mm. This difference means that the Flaming Pink provides a deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying and substantial when typing or gaming. On the other hand, those who prefer quicker response times may favor the Snow’s shorter travel distance, as it allows for faster actuation. Ultimately, if you're seeking a more responsive experience, the Dareu Snow would be the preferable choice, whereas the Flaming Pink caters to those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feel in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Pink has an MSRP of $4.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Pink for $4.00.
The Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 TTC Flaming Pink linear switch is known for its bright yet not overly loud sound profile, which creates a pleasant auditory experience while typing. It offers a satisfying bottom-out sound that is well-balanced, making it suitable for both gaming and everyday use without being intrusive. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch delivers a deeper sound signature characterized as thocky, producing a rich, satisfying "thud" or soft "knock" when keys are pressed and released. It also features a neutral and low-pitched quality, creating a more bass-heavy tone, which can enhance the acoustic experience, especially in quieter environments. While the Flaming Pink is bright and responsive, the Snow's deeper sounds might appeal more to users who prefer a more pronounced acoustic profile.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Pink offers a smooth and responsive typing experience, allowing for seamless key presses suitable for both casual and competitive typing environments. In contrast, the Snow switch stands out with its bouncy characteristic, providing a spring-like feedback that gives the user a lively and energetic typing experience. The bounciness of the Snow switch can enhance the sensation of rebounding after a key is pressed, which may lend itself to faster typing speeds for gamers or heavy typists. While both switches offer a satisfying feel, the Flaming Pink leans towards a smoother experience whereas the Snow introduces dynamic feedback that may appeal to those who enjoy a more tactile response.
In conclusion, both the TTC Flaming Pink and Dareu Snow linear switches present unique attributes that cater to different preferences. With the Flaming Pink offering a balanced sound profile and a smooth feel, it is perfect for a wide range of activities from gaming to prolonged typing. Meanwhile, the Snow switch differentiates itself with its deeper, thocky sound and bouncy feel, ideal for users looking for an engaging and pronounced auditory and tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth typing feel with a bright sound or a more dynamic and rich auditory experience combined with lively feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Pink and the Dareu Snow linear switches, consider your personal preferences and intended use. If you lean towards a lighter actuation with a faster touch and a smooth typing experience, the Flaming Pink is an excellent choice. Its 50-gram bottom-out force means less effort is required to activate the keys, making it suitable for extended gaming sessions or typing tasks where speed and agility are crucial. The sound signature is also pleasingly bright yet not intrusive, which can enhance your overall experience without being overwhelming in a shared environment. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly more substantial tactile feedback and a deeper, more thocky sound while typing, the Snow switch might be the better option for you. With a 60-gram actuation force, it offers that extra resistance, which many may find more satisfying, especially in a home office setting. Additionally, the unique POK material contributes to its bouncy feel, ideal for those who enjoy a bit of springiness as they type. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you interact with your keyboard—whether you prioritize agility and a bright sound with the Flaming Pink or enjoy the deeper acoustics and bounce of the Snow.
Mentioned in this article
