Dareu Holly vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and Gateron Smoothie Silver offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, stands out with its medium 50g actuation force and a sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, features an all-POM construction with a short travel distance for quick actuation, along with a thocky sound, unbeatable smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on individual preferences and typing style. 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
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
The Dareu Holly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Holly utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clear and resonant sound to emerge. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver incorporates a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound profile compared to the Holly. However, both materials offer a unique and pleasing sound experience, with the polycarbonate emphasizing clarity and brightness, while the POM provides a deeper and more subdued tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Dareu Holly features a nylon bottom housing that is known for producing a deep and full sound profile when typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver also utilizes a POM bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This material contributes to a pleasing and unique sound profile that leans towards the deeper end of the sound spectrum, offering a relatively more muted tone compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Holly. Both housing materials bring their own distinct qualities to the overall sound experience of the switches.
In summary, while the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Smoothie Silver may differ in their choice of housing materials, both switches provide a unique sound profile that caters to different preferences. The polycarbonate top housing of the Holly offers a sharper and brighter sound, complemented by the deeper and fuller sound of its nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver delivers a deeper and more muted sound profile both on the top and bottom housings. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to individual preferences in sound characteristics and aesthetics, as both offer a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch which has an actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, so it is unclear which one requires more force to bottom out. In terms of weight, the Smoothie Silver is lighter in terms of actuation force, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Holly switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation force and how they like their typing experience to feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Smoothie Silver has a shorter distance compared to the Holly. The shorter travel distance of the Smoothie Silver may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Holly may provide a more substantial and satisfying key press for those who prefer more depth. Both switches offer unique travel distances that cater to different preferences, ultimately resulting in a different typing experience for each switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly 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
The Dareu Holly tactile switch is praised for its unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, creating a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch, offering a different acoustic profile compared to the Holly.
While the Holly switch provides a chirpy and clacky sound, the Smoothie Silver offers a thocky noise that appeals to users seeking a quieter typing experience. The Holly's medium 50g actuation force gives it a slightly heavier feel compared to the Smoothie Silver's quick actuation due to its short travel distance. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel, so choosing between the two will depend on the user's personal preference for typing experience.
Overall, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer contrasting qualities in sound and potentially feel, providing users with options to choose based on their preferred typing experience. Whether you opt for the chirpy and clacky sound of the Holly or the thocky quietness of the Smoothie Silver, both switches are reliable choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preference for sound and feel during typing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you enjoy a unique typing experience with a combination of chirpy and clacky sounds, along with a medium 50g actuation force, the Dareu Holly switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and sound preferences to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
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