Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Jupiter Brown, a tactile switch, and the Dareu Snow, a linear switch. The Jupiter Brown offers a blend of tradition and innovation with its tactile feedback and medium-heavy weight, making it ideal for those seeking a classic keystroke feel with reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow stands out with its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, providing a smoother typing experience with a deeper sound signature. While the Jupiter Brown offers a polished and stepped feel, the Snow is known for its thocky, neutral, low-pitched, and bouncy characteristics. 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Dareu Snow both have polycarbonate top housings, which provide a unique sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. The use of polycarbonate in both switches creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when compared to other housing materials. However, the Dareu Snow's POK top housing offers additional benefits in terms of smoothness, durability, and shock resistance, making it a top choice for those looking for a clacky and reliable switch. While both switches share the same polycarbonate top housing, the Dareu Snow's POK material sets it apart in terms of performance and longevity.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Dareu Snow use nylon, a classic switch housing material known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with this material. While both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel will be more pronounced in the typing experience of these switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Dareu Snow play a crucial role in the sound profile and performance of these switches. While they both utilize polycarbonate top housings for a sharper sound, the Dareu Snow's POK top housing offers additional benefits in terms of smoothness and durability. Similarly, the use of nylon bottom housings in both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, with the softer nature of nylon providing a unique typing experience. Whether you choose the Gateron Jupiter Brown or the Dareu Snow, the housing materials of these switches will ultimately impact the overall feel and sound of your typing experience.
Weight
The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Dareu Snow linear switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jupiter Brown requires 70 grams while the Snow only needs 60 grams. This means that the Jupiter Brown offers a bit more resistance both during actuation and bottoming out, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier switch. On the other hand, the Snow switch is lighter on both fronts, making it a better choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for prolonged use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, the Jupiter Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Snow has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Dareu Snow linear switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch. The difference of 0.7 mm may not seem significant, but it can affect the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Dareu Snow switch, while those who enjoy a more pronounced key press may lean towards the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch is known for providing a deep and satisfying typing experience, with a classic tactile feel that produces a traditional click sound. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch offers a unique thocky sound signature, thanks to its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem. The Snow switch produces a deeper sound profile compared to the Jupiter Brown, giving users a rich and bass-heavy typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch is praised for its mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle keystroke feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. The switch provides a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as bouncy, providing users with a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation. This gives the keys a lively feel, offering a bouncy rebound when pressed.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it's clear that the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Dareu Snow switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Jupiter Brown provides a classic tactile experience with a traditional click sound, the Snow switch stands out with its thocky sound signature and bouncy feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for. However, both switches are designed to deliver reliable performance and aesthetic appeal to enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the Jupiter Brown if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a classic keystroke feel with its single-stage spring design. The Jupiter Brown is a good choice if you value reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, opt for the Snow if you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature. The Snow switch stands out with its innovative POK material construction. Consider your preferences for feel and sound when selecting between these two switches to ensure you choose the one that best suits your typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features and it's important to weigh their characteristics against your personal preferences to make the right choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
