Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Snow are two popular options to consider. The MX Silent Red is a linear switch that offers a quiet typing experience, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow also features a linear design but stands out with its innovative use of POK material for a unique typing experience. While the MX Silent Red is known for its muted and low-pitched sound profile, the Snow switch offers a deeper and bouncier feel. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics that make them appealing choices for different preferences. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Snow, it is clear that both switches use nylon for their top housing. Nylon is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use nylon top housing. In contrast, the Dareu Snow utilizes a POK material for its top housing, known for its exceptional durability and smoothness. The POK material contributes to a smoother, clacky sound while also being highly resistant to wear and shock, surpassing the qualities of the nylon top housing of the Cherry MX Silent Red.
On the other hand, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Dareu Snow utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This choice of material results in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches equipped with nylon bottom housing. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing a consistent typing experience across both switches. While the bottom housing may not contribute as much to the overall sound as the top housing, the use of nylon ensures a certain level of sound absorption and a more subdued typing experience.
When considering the performance of the switches, it is important to note that the top and bottom housings play distinct roles in the sound and feel of typing on each switch. While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, the Dareu Snow stands out with its POK top housing, offering superior durability and smoothness compared to the nylon top housing of the Cherry MX Silent Red. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and durability, with the POK material of the Dareu Snow providing a unique and high-performance option for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is clear that the MX Silent Red is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Snow is the heavier one with an actuation force of 50 grams. Both switches, however, have an unknown bottom out force. The MX Silent Red provides a lighter typing experience that is ideal for extended periods of typing or gaming sessions, whereas the Snow offers a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. The actuation force plays a critical role in triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force indicates how much pressure is needed to press the key all the way down. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding typing feel and force.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. However, the Dareu Snow switch may provide a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance compared to the Cherry MX Silent Red. If you prefer a switch with a bit more depth to the key press, the Cherry MX Silent Red may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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
In comparing the sound qualities of the Cherry MX Silent Red and Dareu Snow linear switches, the MX Silent Red is known for its muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular switches with a deep, rich tone. On the other hand, the Snow switch offers a deeper sound signature with its thocky, neutral, and low-pitched characteristics, delivering a satisfying and bass-heavy tone when typing. Both switches excel in providing a pleasant auditory experience, with the MX Silent Red being ideal for those seeking a quieter typing environment, while the Snow switch offers a unique deep sound profile.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as having a textured feel, which can provide some friction when pressed, adding a tactile element to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch is characterized by a bouncy feel, giving a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation with lively keys that rebound when pressed. Both switches offer distinct tactile feedback, with the MX Silent Red providing a textured typing experience and the Snow switch offering a bouncy and responsive feel.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Silent Red and Dareu Snow switches offer different sound and feel qualities, they both provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to the preferences of the user. Whether you prefer a quieter typing experience with a slightly textured feel (MX Silent Red) or a deeper sound profile with a bouncy and responsive feel (Snow), both switches are excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you need a quieter typing experience for noise-sensitive environments, the MX Silent Red is the way to go, thanks to its silent operation and muted sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying sound when typing, the Dareu Snow switch with its use of POK material for a unique sound signature may be more appealing. Additionally, if you prefer a slightly textured feel when typing, the MX Silent Red may be more suitable, whereas if you enjoy a bouncy and spring-like feedback sensation, the Dareu Snow switch is the better choice. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so make sure to consider your personal typing preferences and the sound level you desire before making your decision.
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