Dareu Sky POM vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Dareu Sky POM and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Sky POM and the HMX Swift are two remarkable mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique qualities for keyboard enthusiasts. The Sky POM switch stands out for its premium quality crafted entirely from POM material, providing a clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and gentle actuation force. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch offers a deeper sound profile with its full nylon housings, silky smoothness, and delicate 42g actuation force. While the Sky POM is buttery and low-pitched, the Swift is clacky, easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy. Both switches have their distinct advantages, but diving deeper beyond generalities will help you decide on the best switch for your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Sky POM and the HMX Swift both offer a deep and fuller sound profile, with the POM top housing of the Sky POM and the nylon top housing of the Swift providing unique sound characteristics. While the Sky POM's POM top housing creates a relatively more muted sound, the Swift's nylon top housing elicits a rounder and duller sound due to its softer plastic composition. Both materials have the ability to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience for users.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, both the Sky POM's nylon bottom housing and the Swift's nylon bottom housing contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a deeper and duller sound quality. This means that when typing on switches equipped with either of these housing materials, users can expect a satisfyingly rich sound experience that enhances the typing feel. The split qualities of the bottom and top housings of these switches provide a well-rounded sound profile that combines the impact of the bottom housing with the release sound influenced by the top housing.
While the Dareu Sky POM and the HMX Swift use different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, the overall sound experience they offer is quite similar. Both switches aim to provide users with a deeper and fuller sound profile that enhances the typing experience. Whether it's the POM top housing of the Sky POM or the nylon top housing of the Swift, both materials effectively absorb sound to create a pleasing sound profile that is both unique and satisfying. Additionally, the combination of different housing materials in each switch ensures that users will experience a well-balanced sound profile with each keystroke.
Weight
The Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the HMX Swift linear switch, which has an actuation force of 42 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Swift switch is 50 grams, whereas the bottom out force of the Sky POM switch is unknown. This means that the Swift switch requires a slightly heavier force to fully press the key down. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Sky POM for longer typing sessions, while others may appreciate the heavier bottom out force of the Swift for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and keypress weight.
Travel distance
The Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch both have relatively similar travel distances, with the Sky POM having a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the Swift's 3.9 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant to most users, but for those who prefer a slightly deeper key press, the HMX Swift may provide a slightly more substantial feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
The HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
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 Dareu Sky POM linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone when compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the HMX Swift linear switch stands out with a clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound that is described as crisp, bright, and percussive. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps being used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Sky POM is lauded for its buttery, creamy, and silky smooth keystroke experience. These descriptors indicate a seamless and effortless typing sensation, with minimal resistance during key presses. Conversely, the HMX Swift linear switch offers an easy-to-press feel, requiring minimal force to activate the keys. Additionally, it provides a feathery and bouncy sensation, reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable typing experience. Both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience by offering smooth and responsive key presses.
In conclusion, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dareu Sky POM provides a low-pitched sound with a buttery and creamy typing experience, while the HMX Swift delivers a clacky sound profile with an easy-to-press and bouncy feel. Depending on your preference for sound and typing experience, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a mellow sound with smooth key presses or a sharper sound with easy-to-press keys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a low-pitched, buttery typing experience with a clacky sound profile, the Dareu Sky POM switch might be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force, easy-to-press feel with a deeper sound profile and creamy sensation, the HMX Swift switch could be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing needs and preferences.
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