Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie vs. Dareu Sky POM

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, users often seek the right balance of sound, feel, and performance, and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Dareu Sky POM are two excellent linear options that cater to different preferences. The Sea Salt Smoothie, known for its medium weight and thocky sound profile, is crafted from high-quality POM materials, offering not just smooth keystrokes but also an enjoyable auditory feedback that many typists find satisfying. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch boasts a completely POM construction, delivering a clacky sound combined with a gentle actuation force, making it perfect for users who appreciate a softer touch and an engaging typing experience. While both switches maintain premium quality at accessible prices, their distinct acoustic and tactile characteristics cater to diverse user preferences. With these general pointers in mind, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

Dareu Sky POM Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

$7.78

$4.98 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Dareu Sky POM, both switches feature similarities in terms of their top housing material. Both use POM (Polyoxymethylene) for the top housing, which is known for providing a distinct and pleasing sound profile characterized by deeper tones and a more muted quality. This shared characteristic suggests that the initial sound when releasing a key will be quite comparable between the two switches, leading to a satisfying auditory experience regardless of which switch is activated. The common utilization of POM for the top housing indicates a consistent design philosophy aimed at enhancing sound quality.

However, the differences become more pronounced when examining the bottom housing. The Sea Salt Smoothie's bottom housing also employs POM, ensuring that the full character of the switch remains cohesive in its sound profile. Conversely, the Dareu Sky POM utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a material renowned for its softer structure and sound absorption properties. This difference means that while both switches share a pleasing and deep sound, the Sea Salt Smoothie's sound profile will carry a more consistent tone throughout due to the uniformity of materials, whereas the nylon bottom housing of the Sky POM will yield a fuller sound when bottoming out, but it may also absorb some of the top-end frequencies, resulting in a slightly different auditory experience.

In practical terms, the combined effects of these housing materials will lead to distinctive but complementary typing experiences. The Sea Salt Smoothie's dual POM housing will provide an overall smoother and perhaps more muted sound when both key presses and releases are considered. In contrast, the Sky POM, with its nylon bottom, might articulate a pronounced depth on bottom-out actions, leveraging the benefits of sound absorption to deliver a fuller sound experience during key presses. Overall, while both switches maintain a quality sound profile, their differing bottom housing materials introduce nuanced variations that could cater to different user preferences in auditory feedback and typing feel.

Weight

The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch demonstrate notable differences in their actuation forces, with the Sea Salt Smoothie requiring 48 grams of force to actuate, while the Sky POM is lighter at 40 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch may find the Sky POM more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it can reduce fatigue over long periods. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown, making direct comparisons in that aspect difficult. Without this information, we can't definitively assess how they feel when pressed all the way down, but it's possible that even without knowing the bottom out force, typists might experience a more substantial feel with the heavier Sea Salt Smoothie due to its greater actuation force. Overall, the Sky POM provides a lighter typing experience, while the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a more pronounced push, appealing to those who prefer heavier switches for a more tactile feedback.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sky POM offers a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Sea Salt Smoothie the shorter option, appealing to gamers who favor quicker response times. Conversely, the Sky POM's longer travel distance may be more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. If you desire a faster, more responsive typing experience, the Sea Salt Smoothie provides a more immediate feedback due to its shorter travel distance. However, if you appreciate a greater depth in your switch actuation, the Sky POM will fulfill that preference with its longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Dareu Sky POM linear switches, the Sea Salt Smoothie is characterized by a thocky sound, producing a depth that adds a satisfying auditory feedback to each keystroke. This thockiness is typically preferred by users who enjoy a solid and pronounced sound with a hint of resonance. In contrast, the Sky POM switch is noted for its low-pitched, clacky sound. This results in a more bass-heavy tone that can feel lively and engaging while still being relatively mellow. Users can expect a different auditory experience between the two switches, with the Sea Salt Smoothie offering a more muted yet deeper sound versus the Sky POM's lively clackiness.

In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie delivers a smooth typing experience, akin to that of a well-crafted linear switch, allowing for seamless keystrokes without the tactile interruption often found in other switch types. On the other hand, the Sky POM switch offers a notably creamy and silky feel to the touch, characterized by its buttery smoothness, which translates to an effortlessly fluid typing experience. Users of the Sky POM can expect a luxurious sensation, as if they are gliding through each keystroke with ease. For many, this enhanced smoothness combined with a gentle actuation force provides a unique experience compared to the more straightforward but still enjoyable feel of the Sea Salt Smoothie.

In summary, both switches have unique qualities that cater to different user preferences. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a thocky sound profile and a smooth feel, while the Dareu Sky POM provides a low-pitched, clacky sound with creamy, silky smoothness in feel. Ultimately, both switches promise a high-quality typing experience at an accessible price point, making them suitable choices for newcomers looking to explore the world of mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Dareu Sky POM switches, your choice should hinge on both your audio and tactile preferences. If you desire a more thocky sound profile that provides a bass-heavy experience and a very smooth keystroke without any specific bottom out force concerns, the Sea Salt Smoothie is a great option for you. This medium-weight POM switch excels in sound, making it suitable for environments where a deeper audio feedback enhances your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched, clacky sound paired with a buttery, creamy, and silky feel, the Dareu Sky POM is the better choice. This switch allows for a delightful typing experience characterized by its effortless keystrokes that glide seamlessly under your fingers, which might be ideal for prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, consider your personal typing style and the setting in which you’ll be using your keyboard to make the most informed decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more

Dareu Sky POM Linear

$7.78

$4.98 per 10

Learn more