Dareu Mahjong vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Mahjong switches are known for their distinctive green and white color scheme and a lively, poppy sound signature, providing an effortless typing experience. Categorized as bouncy, mild, neutral, and polished, these switches are a solid choice for those who enjoy a more traditional linear switch feel. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch stands out with its use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, offering typists a remarkably smooth and creamy feel. Categorized as buttery, creamy, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant, these switches provide a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets them apart from the competition. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream keyboards both feature top housing materials that contribute to smooth and clacky switches, but they use different materials to achieve this. The Mahjong utilizes a POK material for its top housing, which boasts a coefficient of friction slightly higher than LY but provides exceptional durability with wear resistance surpassing that of POM. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream keyboard uses a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, which offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials aim to create a smooth typing experience, the Mahjong's POK material focuses more on durability and wear resistance, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's KTT blend emphasizes sound characteristics.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Dareu Mahjong employs a nylon bottom housing known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic which absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Conversely, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK bottom housing, which is the same material used for the top housing in the Mahjong. The POK material in the bottom housing provides the same smooth and durable qualities as the top housing, contributing to the overall clacky sound signature of the keyboard. Both bottom housing materials play a crucial role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, complementing the impact of the top housing materials.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream keyboards differ, they ultimately aim to provide similar results in terms of smoothness, durability, and sound signature. The Mahjong's use of POK material for both top and bottom housings ensures a consistent typing experience with emphasis on durability and wear resistance. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream keyboard's unique KTT blend for the top housing and POK material for the bottom housing creates a distinct high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Despite these differences, both keyboards offer a premium typing experience with carefully chosen materials to enhance overall performance and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we see that the Mahjong requires 45 grams while the Vanilla Ice Cream needs 43 grams. Both switches have a relatively light actuation force, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, the bottom out force of the Mahjong is unknown, while the Vanilla Ice Cream requires 48 grams to fully bottom out, which is a bit heavier. This means that the Mahjong may provide a softer typing feel overall, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a bit more resistance and feedback. Ultimately, those who value a lighter typing experience may prefer the Mahjong, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are currently popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper keypress may opt for the Vanilla Ice Cream switch. On the other hand, if a more responsive feel is preferred, the Dareu Mahjong switch with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience, with the decision coming down to personal preference for keypress depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced typists. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provides a high-pitched, clacky sound signature that is sharp and crisp, making it stand out from competitors. The Mahjong switch is more versatile in terms of sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a distinct and lively auditory experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Mahjong switch is described as bouncy and mild, providing a spring-like feedback and a gentle typing experience. The keys feel polished, offering a smooth and refined typing sensation. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that is effortless and uniform. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch excels in delivering a silky sensation while typing.
Overall, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mahjong switch provides a neutral sound profile and a bouncy, mild feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched, clacky sound and a buttery, creamy feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing style, both switches offer a distinct typing experience that caters to different user needs. With either switch, users can expect a satisfying typing experience that aligns with their preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Mahjong linear switch or the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should take into account your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing experience. If you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force and a bouncy, mild, and polished feel, along with a neutral sound profile, the Mahjong may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a bottom out force of 48 grams, a buttery and creamy feel, and a high-pitched, marbly, resonant sound profile, then the Vanilla Ice Cream might better suit your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing style, sound preferences, and desired typing experience. Remember to consider all these factors carefully before making your selection.
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