TTC Ice vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the TTC Ice and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience on a mechanical keyboard, two noteworthy linear switches that stand out are the TTC Ice and the Dareu Snow. The TTC Ice switch is renowned for its striking crystal-clear transparent design, delivering a smooth and responsive typing feel that results in a satisfying clack with each keystroke. This makes it a fantastic choice for both gamers seeking precision and everyday users wanting an enjoyable typing experience. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch distinguishes itself through its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, which contributes to its unique deeper sound signature. This switch provides a feeling that is not only smooth and linear but also features a bouncier, more neutral typing experience, appealing to those who prioritize a more subdued auditory effect while typing. Each switch caters to different preferences in sound and feel, making it essential to consider what will suit your gaming or typing style best. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Ice and Dareu Snow exhibit distinct properties in their respective top housing materials, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles and aesthetic qualities. The TTC Ice utilizes polycarbonate, known for its stiffness and translucency. This composition enables a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it particularly adept at resonating sound, especially under RGB lighting. This takes advantage of the material's clarity, enhancing the visual experience while providing a clear audio feedback. Conversely, the Dareu Snow features POK (polyketone) as its top housing. While still delivering smooth and clacky sounds, POK’s properties emphasize smooth operation due to its low friction coefficient. These differing materials highlight how the TTC Ice achieves a bright acoustic result through the natural characteristics of polycarbonate, while the Dareu Snow leans towards a balanced and controlled output thanks to POK's unique formulation.
In their bottom housings, the TTC Ice remains consistent with polycarbonate, thus maintaining its sharper sound profile throughout the switch. The combination of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing reinforces the overall sound clarity and responsiveness, offering a unified auditory experience that contributes to its high-pitched and crisp characteristics. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a material known for its ability to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a stark contrast with the sharper tones produced by the Ice. Therefore, while both switches aim for exceptional performance, their acoustic outputs vary significantly due to the differing materials, with the Snow's nylon contributing a more rounded and resonant bottom-out experience.
Ultimately, the overall sound and feel of a switch can often be understood through the interaction of its top and bottom housing materials. The TTC Ice's consistent use of polycarbonate across both housings ensures a clear and resonant auditory experience, bolstered under RGB conditions. In contrast, the Dareu Snow achieves a balance between smoothness and depth through its combination of POK and nylon, which allows for a unique tactile and auditory interplay. While both switches are engineered for quality, the way they utilize their materials ensures that users will experience different sensory feedback—whether it be the sharper sound of the Ice or the deeper resonance of the Snow. Thus, while both switches incorporate quality materials, their differing compositions result in distinct auditory characteristics that cater to a variety of preferences.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Ice linear switch to the Dareu Snow linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces, while their bottom out forces are identical. The TTC Ice switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter than the Snow switch, which requires a slightly heftier actuation force of 50 grams. This lighter actuation in the Ice switch can lead to a less strenuous typing experience, making it suitable for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 60 grams, meaning that when pressed down fully, they provide a consistent resistance regardless of the actuation differences. For those who prefer a stronger push feel, the slightly heavier actuation force of the Snow switch could offer a more substantial typing experience. In summary, while both switches bottom out at the same force, the TTC Ice switch is lighter, which may appeal to users who prioritize comfort for extended use, while the Dareu Snow switch offers a marginally stronger push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Ice linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, the Ice has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Snow measures 3.3 mm. This makes the Snow the shorter option, providing a more responsive feel that may appeal to gamers seeking quicker actuation. Conversely, the Ice's longer travel distance of 3.6 mm offers a more pronounced depth, which can be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial keystroke. Both switches fall within the trend of shorter travel distances gaining popularity for faster response times, but the Ice is slightly less abrupt than the Snow, catering to those who appreciate a bit more sensory feedback while typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Ice has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice for $5.99.
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 TTC Ice linear switch is known for its clacky profile, which generates a crisp and bright auditory feedback upon actuation. This sharp sound makes each key press feel pronounced, contributing to an engaging typing experience. In contrast, the Dareu Snow linear switch offers a thocky sound, characterized by a deeper and richer tone. This produces a more subdued, but satisfying auditory experience that some users might find more pleasant for longer typing sessions. Additionally, the Snow switch includes a neutral sound profile, making it versatile for different environments. Ultimately, while both switches provide enjoyable sound signatures, the Ice is sharper and more percussive, while the Snow offers a deeper, muted tone.
Regarding feel, the Ice switch is described as feathery, meaning it requires minimal effort to press, reducing finger fatigue over long periods of typing or gaming. This lightweight actuation allows for a comfortable experience, suited for extended use. On the other hand, the Snow switch features a bouncy feel, providing a spring-like response that offers an energetic typing experience. This elasticity adds a lively quality to each keystroke, making it engaging during both casual typing and intensive gaming. Thus, while the Ice focuses on a light touch for comfort, the Snow is designed for a responsive recoil that adds excitement to each press.
In conclusion, both the TTC Ice and Dareu Snow linear switches offer distinct auditory and tactile experiences tailored to different preferences. The Ice switch delivers a clacky sound with a feathery feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a pronounced auditory feedback along with a light touch. Conversely, the Snow switch provides a thocky sound with a bouncy response, catering to users who prefer a deeper acoustic profile and an energetic typing feel. Depending on what qualities you prioritize—whether it be sound or tactile feedback—you can choose between these two switches to match your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the TTC Ice and the Dareu Snow linear switches may ultimately depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as both offer a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams that caters well to a range of users. If you appreciate a more responsive typing experience with a bright, clacky sound that enhances the tactile feedback, the TTC Ice switch might be the better option for you. This switch is especially well-suited for both gaming and everyday typing, making it a versatile choice for various tasks. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper sound signature and a bouncier feel while typing, the Dareu Snow switch may be more appealing. Its unique POK material contributes to a thocky sound that provides a rich auditory experience, which can make typing feel more satisfying and engaging, especially for those who enjoy a springy rebound sensation. Thus, consider your usage scenarios and sound preferences carefully; choose the Ice for its clarity and responsiveness or the Snow for its depth and bounce.
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