Huano Grape Orange vs. Dareu Snow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Grape Orange and the Dareu Snow offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Grape Orange switch is renowned for its light and effortless typing experience, featuring a mere 40g actuation force that allows for prolonged typing sessions without fatigue, making it a favorite among those who prioritize speed and comfort. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch captivates users with its unique POK material, delivering a smooth typing experience accompanied by a deeper, low-pitched sound signature that provides a satisfying auditory feedback, appealing to those who appreciate a thocky and bouncy feel. While both are linear switches designed for smooth keystrokes, their different characteristics cater to varied typing styles and 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

Huano Grape Orange Linear

Dareu Snow Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$7.78

$5.76 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the Dareu Snow switches, a clear distinction emerges between their top housings, while the bottom housings utilize the same material, nylon. The Grape Orange switch features a polycarbonate top housing, known for providing a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material's translucency is beneficial for RGB lighting integration, enhancing the visual aspect of the switch. In contrast, the Snow switch utilizes a top housing made from POK (polyketone), which, while also designed to enhance performance, does so through its remarkable smoothness and durability. The POK material's relatively higher coefficient of friction contributes to a unique typing experience that fosters a clackier feel, setting it apart from the sharper tones induced by the polycarbonate housing of the Grape Orange.

Both switches share nylon as their bottom housing material, leading to similarities in sound characteristics. Being a softer plastic, nylon tends to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This shared bottom housing means that tactile feel and sound dampening will be consistent across both switches, as the nylon contributes to a rounded and subdued tonal quality when the key bottoms out. Typists can expect a unified experience in this regard, as both switches will exhibit similar feel and sound attributes upon key engagement, lending a tactile richness to both the Grape Orange and Snow.

The combination of different top housings with identical bottom housings ultimately illustrates how various material characteristics can either enhance or modulate the overall switch experience. The polycarbonate top of the Grape Orange is likely to foster an expansive and resonant release sound, whereas the POK top of the Snow will create more pronounced clackiness. Nonetheless, the nylon bottom common to both switches ensures that typists will experience consistent doom and warmth in the sound profile during key presses. Thus, while the top materials diverge in their contributions to the acoustic and tactile outputs, the end result is a blend of distinctive and shared auditory qualities in the context of both switch designs.

Weight

The Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch exhibit notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Grape Orange features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, compared to the 50 grams required for the Snow switch, making it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming, as it requires less effort to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Grape Orange also has a lighter weight of 50 grams, while the Snow has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that users who prefer a more substantial typing experience may find the Dareu Snow more appealing due to its greater resistance when bottoming out. Overall, if you're in favor of a lighter typing experience, the Huano Grape Orange would be the preferable choice, whereas those who enjoy a firmer push feel might lean towards the Dareu Snow switch.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch to the Dareu Snow linear switch, we see a notable difference. The Grape Orange features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Snow offers a slightly shorter distance of 3.3 mm. This means that for gamers or typists who favor quicker response times and a more shallow feel, the Snow linear switch may be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. Conversely, those who appreciate a more substantial key press and a sense of depth in their keystrokes might prefer the Grape Orange switch, which provides a longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch remains somewhat ambiguous, lacking specific descriptors to define its auditory characteristics. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch boasts a distinctively thocky sound, characterized by deep, rich tones reminiscent of a soft “knock” or deep "thud" when pressed. The Snow also features a neutral sound quality, making it versatile for various environments, whether at home or in a more professional setting. Additionally, its low-pitched sound contributes to a bass-heavy and mellow auditory experience, which can be particularly pleasing for users who prefer a more subdued sound when typing.

Regarding the feel of these switches, the Grape Orange is similarly vague, not providing a clear description of the typing experience. However, the Snow switch is known for its bouncy feel, delivering a spring-like feedback sensation that enhances the typing experience with a lively rebound upon keypress. This responsiveness can create a more dynamic interaction with the keyboard, likely adding to the enjoyment of extended typing sessions. For those who prioritize a tactile and engaging feel, the Dareu Snow would stand out over the Grape Orange based only on the available information.

In summary, while the Huano Grape Orange linear switch is celebrated for its ultra-light 40g actuation force, making it suitable for prolonged use, the Dareu Snow switch offers a distinct auditory profile and a bouncy tactile feedback. Users who value sound quality and a lively typing experience may lean towards the Snow. However, both switches can be tailored to suit similar preferences depending on the overall keyboard setup, making them both viable options for newcomers in the mechanical keyboard realm.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a light and effortless typing experience, particularly for extended sessions, the Grape Orange is an excellent choice with its low 40g actuation force and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes it ideal for those who type quickly and want to reduce finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a more robust feel and a deeper sound profile, the Dareu Snow switch, with its medium 60-gram bottom out force and bouncy feedback, offers a satisfying typing experience enhanced by its unique POK material. Its thocky and low-pitched sound signature adds a certain richness to each keystroke, making it suitable for those who enjoy immersive auditory feedback while typing. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you value a lightweight, whisper-quiet experience or a more tactile, resonant one, ensuring you select the switch that complements your typing style and environment.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Dareu Snow Linear

$7.78

$5.76 per 10

Learn more