Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing style and preferences, the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Dareu Snow offer compelling options within the realm of linear switches. The Gateron Glory Yellow is celebrated for its heavier actuation and smooth keystroke, which provides a satisfying travel distance and an overall enjoyable typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more substantial feel under their fingers. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch distinguishes itself with its innovative use of POK material for both the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound profile that many users find appealing for its "thocky" and "bouncy" characteristics. This makes the Snow an enticing option for typists who enjoy auditory feedback without compromising on smoothness. Each switch has its unique advantages, appealing to different user preferences, 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When evaluating the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Dareu Snow switches, it is essential to delve into both the top and bottom housing consistency and their distinct contributions to the overall typing experience. The Gateron Glory Yellow features a top housing made of nylon, a classic switch housing material renowned for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, as a softer plastic, uniquely absorbs sound, thereby creating a dull and rounded auditory feedback that many enthusiasts appreciate for its smoothness and comfort. In contrast, the Dareu Snow's top housing utilizes POK material, also known as polyketone, which offers a notably smooth typing experience with a higher coefficient of friction compared to nylon, resulting in sleek keystrokes. While the POK material supports a more clacky sound profile, its durability and strength significantly enhance the overall performance of the switch. Thus, the top materials contribute differing sound characteristics, with nylon favoring muffled acoustics and POK enhancing clarity and pop.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Dareu Snow switches utilize nylon. This consistency means that, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials, the bottom housing will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The nylon bottom helps create a full-bodied sound when bottoming out, cushioning the impact and contributing to the overall soft typing experience. Given that both switches share this nylon bottom, users will experience a cohesive auditory feedback that is rounded and rich. This connection in materials suggests that while the top housing will create distinct tonal differences, the bottom housing stirs a convergence point that maintains consistency across both switches.
Ultimately, while the Gateron Glory Yellow's nylon top housing contrasts with the Dareu Snow's POK top housing, the shared nylon bottom housing aligns their acoustic characteristics. The variations between the two are manifest in their typing acoustics and tactile responses, driven predominantly by their respective top materials. Users can expect a deeper sound profile from the Glory Yellow due to its nylon top, while the Dareu Snow will inevitably offer a sharper and more resonant sound due to its POK material. However, because both switches rely on nylon in the bottom housing, they will both present a familiar feel at the actuation point, ensuring that despite the divergence in their top materials, users can appreciate a connection in auditory depth and tactile consistency.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, we find some interesting similarities and differences. Both the Glory Yellow and the Snow switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams, which means they will provide a similar feel when it comes to initiating a keystroke; this characteristic makes both switches suitable for users who prefer lighter switches for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. However, the contrast arises with their bottom out forces: the Snow switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which indicates a firmer feel when pressing the key all the way down, while the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow switch is unknown. Due to the discrepancy in the available bottom out force data, it can be inferred that the Snow may feel heavier overall because of its specified bottom out force. Therefore, if you prefer a lighter typing experience, both switches offer that in terms of actuation, but the Dareu Snow's bottom out force provides a more substantial feel for those who enjoy a heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, the differences are quite noticeable. The Glory Yellow has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option that provides a deeper feel when pressed. In contrast, the Snow features a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, catering to those who prefer a quicker response time often favored by gamers. As such, if you're looking for a switch that feels more profound and offers a satisfying depth, the Glory Yellow would be the better choice. Conversely, if you prioritize rapid key presses and a more responsive experience, the shorter travel of the Snow would suit you well. Overall, the Glory Yellow is the longer switch, while the Snow is the shorter one, making the choice largely dependent on personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch delivers a more conventional auditory profile that is typically appreciated for its clarity, ensuring a pleasant typing experience. In contrast, the Dareu Snow linear switch stands out for its thocky sound signature, characterized by a deep, rich tone that resonates with satisfying "thud" or soft "knock" sounds upon actuation. The Snow also maintains a neutral sound profile which makes it versatile for various contexts, whether in a home office or more casual settings. The low-pitched qualities of the Snow create a bass-heavy, mellow tone, contrasting with the clearer and potentially higher-pitched resonance of the Glory Yellow. However, it is essential to remember that the overall sound experience can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycap materials.
In terms of feel, the Glory Yellow switch offers a smoothly descending keystroke that many typists enjoy, providing a pleasing travel distance instrumental to an enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch is bouncy, giving users a spring-like feedback that can enhance the perception of responsiveness. This lively sensation results in a more dynamic typing experience that some users may find invigorating compared to the steady smoothness of the Glory Yellow switch. While both switches have their distinct characteristics, they cater to different preferences and styles, allowing users to choose based on whether they prioritize a smoother stroke or a more reactive bounce.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and Dareu Snow linear switches present unique auditory and tactile experiences for users, catering to varied preferences. The Glory Yellow excels in providing a clearer sound and a smooth keystroke, while the Snow switch stands out with its deep thocky sound and lively, bouncy feel. Choosing between them will ultimately depend on whether you prefer a more traditional typing sound and feel or a more dynamic and rich auditory experience. Either way, both switches can effectively enhance your typing or gaming experience, making them both valuable options in the mechanical keyboard landscape.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Dareu Snow linear switches should be guided by your personal preferences for typing feel and sound signature. If you enjoy a smooth keystroke with a lighter touch and prefer a seamless typing experience, the Glory Yellow switch would be the better option for you. Its lack of specified bottom-out force suggests a very light touch, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming where speed is crucial. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more tactile experience with a satisfying bounce and a distinct thocky sound when you type, the Dareu Snow switch would suit you well. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams provides a nice balance between resistance and ease of use, while the innovative POK material enhances the deep, rich acoustic profile that many keyboard enthusiasts appreciate. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you prioritize a smooth, lightweight typing experience or a bouncy, resonant feel with a more pronounced sound.
Mentioned in this article
