KTT Pine vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Pine and Dareu Snow both stand out as top contenders. The KTT Pine linear switches are esteemed for their medium-heavy feel, buttery smooth action, and effortless typing experience. With a factory-lubed finish to minimize friction, these switches offer smooth key travel and produce a sound profile categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched'. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switches feature innovative POK material in both the top housing and stem, providing a unique typing experience with a deeper sound signature. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switches offer a different tactile feel compared to the Pine. 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
58g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Pine and the Dareu Snow, it is evident that both switches prioritize sound quality and durability, but they achieve these goals through different materials. The Pine utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. On the other hand, the Snow incorporates POK for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The POK material contributes to smooth and clacky switches with exceptional durability, while nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound characteristics based on their chosen materials.
One key difference between the Pine and the Snow lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Pine's polycarbonate top housing creates a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, ideal for those seeking a sharper typing experience. In contrast, the Snow's POK top housing offers a smoother and clackier sound, enhancing the overall typing experience with its durability and wear resistance. While the Pine's polycarbonate emphasizes clarity and sharpness, the Snow's POK material prioritizes smoothness and longevity, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
When it comes to the bottom housings of the Pine and the Snow, their material choices once again showcase distinct characteristics. The Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the overall sound profile of the switch, emphasizing clarity and resonance. On the other hand, the Snow's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller typing sound. While the Pine focuses on creating a clear and sharp typing experience, the Snow's nylon bottom housing adds a touch of roundness and depth to the sound profile, appealing to users looking for a more muted typing feel. Despite these differences, both switches offer high-quality materials that enhance the overall typing experience in unique ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, we find that the Pine has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Snow's 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Pine requires 58 grams while the Snow requires 60 grams, making the Snow slightly heavier in this aspect. Both switches fall under the category of medium force, providing a balanced typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Pine may be the better choice. Conversely, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may opt for the slightly heavier Snow switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The KTT Pine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Pine offers a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Snow, which can provide a more substantial and satisfying keypress for some users. On the other hand, the Snow's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Pine leaning towards the longer end and the Snow towards the shorter end. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for keypress feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a bassy and low-pitched profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch presents a thocky and low-pitched sound, with a deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed. Both switches offer a similar low-pitched sound profile, but the Pine switch leans more towards a bass-heavy tone, while the Snow switch delivers a thocky and satisfying sound experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference, as sound perception can vary from individual to individual.
In terms of feel, the KTT Pine linear switch is known for its buttery and creamy typing experience, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. In contrast, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a bouncy feedback, giving keys a spring-like and lively feel when pressed. While both switches aim to provide a smooth typing experience, the Pine switch focuses on a seamless and effortless feel, while the Snow switch offers a lively and rebound sensation. Choosing between the two switches will ultimately come down to personal preference for typing feel and feedback.
Overall, the KTT Pine linear switch and Dareu Snow linear switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Pine switch provides a bassy and buttery typing experience, while the Snow switch delivers a thocky and bouncy feel. Both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience, with the Pine switch focusing on smooth key travel and the Snow switch utilizing innovative POK material for its construction. Ultimately, whether you prefer the deep and rich sound of the Pine switch or the satisfying thocky feel of the Snow switch, both options are sure to provide a high-quality typing experience for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, you should choose the Pine if you prefer a smoother and buttery typing experience with a slightly lower bottom out force of 58 grams. The Pine switch is ideal for those who enjoy a bassy and low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, opt for the Snow switch if you are looking for a deeper sound signature and a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. The Snow switch offers a unique thocky sound and a bouncy feel when typing. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preference for typing experience, sound profile, and bottom out force.
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