Outemu Silent Grey vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Snow offer distinct experiences for users. The Outemu Silent Grey switch provides a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying yet silent keystroke. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch stands out for its innovative use of POK material, resulting in a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature. While the Silent Grey switch is perfect for those who prioritize tactility and silence, the Snow switch is preferred by those looking for a unique typing experience with a low-pitched, bouncy feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Snow, it is evident that both switches have unique housing materials. The Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for users looking for a more crisp typing experience. On the other hand, the Snow utilizes a POK top housing, known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound, providing a different but equally satisfying typing experience. While both top housings offer distinct characteristics, they cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel.
When it comes to the bottom housings, both the Silent Grey and the Snow make use of nylon, a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material implies that both switches may offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when it comes to bottom-out actions. Despite having different top housings, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Snow will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and durability. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey offers a sharp and resonant sound, while the POK top housing of the Snow provides a smooth and clacky typing experience. Both switches utilizing nylon for the bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound profile, ensuring a consistent typing experience. Whether you prefer a crisper sound profile with the Silent Grey or a smoother and more durable typing experience with the Snow, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch both have an actuation force of 50 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Grey requires 65 grams, making it heavier than the Snow, which only requires 60 grams to bottom out. The Silent Grey offers a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force, while the Snow provides a slightly lighter touch for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences - whether one prefers a lighter typing experience for extended use or a stronger push feel for a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is clear that the Snow has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the Silent Grey's 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Snow switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Grey may provide a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of travel distance, catering to different preferences for keyboard users. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference for either a shorter or longer key press experience.
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 Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 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
When considering sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch offers a deeper, more satisfying sound profile with its thocky characteristic, providing a unique auditory experience. Depending on personal preference and the surrounding environment, users can choose between the quieter option of the Silent Grey or the more pronounced sound of the Snow switch.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silent Grey switch delivers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, offering satisfying feedback to the user. Conversely, the Dareu Snow switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that adds a lively feel to typing. If you prefer a more tactile experience, the Silent Grey switch may be the better choice, while the Snow switch offers a more dynamic and responsive feel.
Considering all the available information, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Dareu Snow switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, the Snow switch stands out with its deeper sound and bouncy feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a quieter typing experience or prefer a more engaging sound and feel while typing. It's worth noting that both switches offer high-quality performance, so you can expect similar results in terms of durability and overall typing experience regardless of which one you choose.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider the specific qualities you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth linear switch with a medium bottom out force and enjoy a deeper sound signature, the Dareu Snow switch with its innovative use of POK material might be the better option for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
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