SP-Star Meteor White vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Meteor White and the Dareu Snow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Meteor White is a linear switch that is best known for its gentle and subdued typing experience. It provides an easy push with a soft sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Snow switch stands out with its innovative use of POK material, resulting in a deeper sound signature and a smooth linear feel. While both switches offer a neutral typing experience, the Meteor White is more polished and thocky, while the Snow is bouncy and low-pitched. If you're looking for a soft and quiet typing experience, the Meteor White may be the way to go. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor White and the Dareu Snow both offer unique qualities that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Meteor White's nylon top housing provides a deep and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Snow's POK top housing is known for its exceptional durability and smoothness, thanks to its polyketone material that offers high wear resistance and shock resistance. While both materials offer different benefits, they both contribute to creating a satisfying typing experience with their respective qualities.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Meteor White and the Snow utilize nylon material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This soft plastic material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon bottom housing. While the top housing materials differ between the two switches, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel, showcasing the reliability and effectiveness of nylon as a housing material.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Meteor White and the Dareu Snow switches offer a unique typing experience based on the qualities of their respective housing materials. The Meteor White's nylon top housing provides a deep and fuller sound profile, while the Snow's POK top housing offers smoothness and durability. On the other hand, both switches share the use of nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a consistent sound profile that is deeper and fuller due to the sound-absorbing properties of nylon. Overall, these switches demonstrate how different housing materials can impact the typing experience, with each material offering unique benefits that cater to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a crucial role in determining the typing experience. The Meteor White switch has an actuation force of None grams, making it lighter than the Snow switch which requires 50 grams of force to actuate. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Meteor White requires 57 grams, slightly lighter than the Snow's 60 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, offering a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended use, the Meteor White may be the preferred choice. In contrast, the Snow switch provides a slightly heavier push feel, appealing to users seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation force for their typing needs.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, we can see that the Meteor White has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Snow has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Snow switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Meteor White switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Meteor White is more traditional, offering a balance between depth and responsiveness, while the 3.3 mm travel distance of the Snow may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance, with the Meteor White providing a slightly longer option and the Snow offering a shorter and potentially more responsive experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 SP-Star Meteor White linear switch offers a neutral and thocky sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and scenarios. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a thocky sound with a low-pitched tone, offering a deeper and more bass-heavy sound experience. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the typing experience depending on personal preferences, keycap choices, and keyboard configurations.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the SP-Star Meteor White switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle feel with smooth key travel and reduced friction. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch stands out with its bouncy feedback sensation, providing a spring-like and lively feel with a noticeable rebound when pressed. Each switch offers a different typing experience, with the Meteor White focusing on a refined and approachable feel, while the Snow switch offers a more dynamic and responsive touch.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch both bring unique qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Meteor White offers a gentle and subdued typing experience with a neutral and thocky sound profile, the Snow switch provides a deeper and more bouncy feel with a thocky and low-pitched sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience that each user is looking for, but both switches offer high-quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the SP-Star Meteor White and the Dareu Snow linear switches, consider the following guidelines. Opt for the Meteor White if you prefer a soft and gentle typing experience with a subtle sound profile. This switch is beginner-friendly and suitable for both home and work environments. On the other hand, choose the Snow switch if you prefer a deeper sound signature and a bouncy feel with its innovative POK material construction. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a softer typing experience (Meteor White) or a more distinctive sound and feel (Snow). Consider your personal preferences and typing style to determine which switch aligns best with your needs.
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