Dareu Snow vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Snow and the KTT Strawberry are both linear mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics. The Snow switch is renowned for its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature when typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry is loved for its attractive pink and clear housings, providing a smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. Categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Frictionless', 'Silky', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Strawberry switch offers a distinct feel. Both switches have their own strengths and appeals, but diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you decide which one is the best fit for your typing preference.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Snow and the KTT Strawberry, one key difference lies in the top housing material. The Snow utilizes POK material, known for its smoothness and durability, contributing to a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Strawberry features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and ability to produce a sharper, crisper sound. While both materials are strong and resistant to wear, the Snow's POK material focuses more on smoothness, while the Strawberry's polycarbonate material highlights clarity and resonance.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Snow is equipped with a nylon bottom housing, known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound absorption qualities. In contrast, the Strawberry's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, emphasizing clarity and resonance. Both materials provide different sound profiles, with the nylon material offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate material. Aesthetically, the Snow's bottom housing focuses on a deeper sound, while the Strawberry's bottom housing emphasizes a sharper sound.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Snow and the KTT Strawberry share similarities in using durable materials for their housing, such as POK and polycarbonate, they differ in the specific qualities they bring to the switches. The Snow prioritizes smoothness and a clacky sound profile with POK top housing and a deep sound with nylon bottom housing. In contrast, the Strawberry focuses on sharpness, clarity, and resonance with polycarbonate top and bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the sound profile and feel that the user prefers, with each offering a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Snow has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Strawberry's 43 grams, making it slightly lighter to trigger a keystroke. However, the Snow has a higher bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Strawberry's 62 grams, making it slightly heavier when fully pressed down. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Strawberry switch, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may prefer the Snow switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which makes it shorter than the KTT Strawberry linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Snow offers a shallower key press compared to the Strawberry, which might appeal to gamers looking for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Strawberry provides a more traditional and slightly deeper key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or enjoy a more substantial key press feel. Both switches offer a different typing experience, so selecting the right one depends on your individual needs and preferences.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Snow switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, giving a deep and rich typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switch offers a low-pitched sound profile, contributing to a bass-heavy and mellow tone when typing. Both switches aim to provide a satisfying auditory experience, with the Snow leaning towards a deeper tone compared to the Strawberry switch.
Moving on to the typing feel, the Dareu Snow switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback that gives the keys a lively feel with a rebound effect when pressed. Conversely, the KTT Strawberry switch is noted for being frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. While the Snow switch focuses on a bouncy sensation, the Strawberry switch emphasizes a silky and polished typing feel, aiming for a buttery smooth keystroke.
Considering the available information, those opting for the Dareu Snow switch can expect a deeper and thocky sound along with a bouncy typing feel, creating a dynamic and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, individuals choosing the KTT Strawberry switch will enjoy a low-pitched and smooth sound profile, coupled with a frictionless and buttery smooth typing feel that aims for maximum comfort and ease of use. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, ensuring that users will have a satisfying typing experience based on their preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force, the Snow with its 60g force might be more suitable for you, whereas the Strawberry with a 62g force offers a bit more resistance. If you enjoy a deep, thocky sound with a moderate actuation force, the Snow is a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched sound with a smoother, frictionless typing experience, the Strawberry is the way to go. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences for key feel, sound, and resistance levels.
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