Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Snow mechanical keyboard switches, both being linear switches, some key differences and similarities become apparent. The Silent Ink Black is favored for its silent operation, making it ideal for environments where quiet typing is essential. It offers a soft and cushioned bottom-out feel with minimal noise feedback, categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow features an innovative use of POK material in its construction, providing a smooth linear typing experience with a deeper sound signature. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch offers a unique typing experience. 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
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Snow, it is clear that both switches offer unique characteristics. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing provides a thinner, higher-pitched sound profile described as clacky, while the Snow's POK top housing offers a smooth and clacky experience with exceptional durability. The bottom housing of the Silent Ink Black also features the proprietary INK blend, contributing to its satisfying sound profile. In contrast, the Snow's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature.
While the top housing materials of the Silent Ink Black and the Snow differ in terms of sound profiles, both switches aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience. The Silent Ink Black's top and bottom INK blend housings create a pointed, high-pitched sound, while the Snow's POK top and nylon bottom housings offer a smoother and deeper typing experience. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and durability, providing users with unique options based on their preferences. Whether you prefer a sharper, clacky sound or a smoother, deeper typing experience, both switches offer distinct qualities to enhance your typing experience.
In considering the impact of the housing materials on the overall typing experience, it is important to note how the top and bottom housings contribute to the sound profile and feel of each switch. While the Silent Ink Black's INK blend top and bottom housings focus on creating a satisfying clacky sound, the Snow's POK top housing and nylon bottom housing aim to provide a smooth and durable typing experience. Ultimately, whether you choose the Silent Ink Black or the Snow, both switches offer unique housing materials that cater to different preferences, allowing users to enjoy a customized typing experience based on their sound and feel preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is evident that the Snow switch is lighter in both aspects. The Silent Ink Black has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, whereas the Snow switch requires 50 grams for actuation and 60 grams for bottom out. Both switches provide a medium resistance level, but the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier in terms of force required. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Snow switch may be the better option. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the Silent Ink Black for its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Dareu Snow the shorter of the two switches. The difference in travel distance may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switches. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Dareu Snow for faster response times, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Gateron Silent Ink Black with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the typing or gaming experience the user is looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 terms of sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offers a muted typing experience, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a deep and thocky sound signature due to its innovative use of POK material for the top housing and stem. Additionally, the Snow switch is described as having a neutral sound profile with a low-pitched tone, creating a bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. Ultimately, the sound of either switch will be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's build and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is known for its silky and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth feel with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Conversely, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives keys a lively and rebounding feel when pressed. Each switch provides a unique tactile experience, with the Silent Ink Black offering a cushiony bottom-out feel and the Snow switch giving a more elastic feedback sensation.
Overall, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch have their own distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Ink Black switch excels in providing a quiet and cushiony typing experience with a muted sound profile, while the Snow switch stands out with its deep and thocky sound signature and bouncy feedback sensation. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, either switch can deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that newcomers to mechanical keyboards will find a switch that suits their needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience in environments where noise is a concern, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. The cushiony bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback make it perfect for those who prefer a muted typing sound. On the other hand, if you are interested in a switch with a deeper sound signature and innovative material usage, the Dareu Snow linear switch would be more suitable for you. With its POK material construction and thocky, low-pitched sound profile, the Snow switch offers a unique typing experience. Ultimately, your decision between the two switches would depend on your preference for typing sound and feel, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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