Dareu Snow vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Snow and HMX Vintage Citrus both offer unique characteristics tailored to different user preferences. The Dareu Snow is celebrated for its innovative POK material in the housing and stem, providing a distinctive thocky sound and smooth typing experience. Its neutral, low-pitched, and bouncy profile makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more balanced keystroke while typing. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus is designed with gamers in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, allowing for rapid-fire inputs and a bright, clacky sound that can enhance the excitement of fast-paced gameplay. While the Snow leans towards a more subtle and sophisticated auditory experience, the Vintage Citrus caters to the need for quick responsiveness and a spirited sound profile. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your individual style and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Snow and the HMX Vintage Citrus, the key differentiation lies in the top housing materials used in each switch. The Dareu Snow utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which offers a notably low coefficient of friction (0.04) that enhances the smoothness of key presses compared to the Vintage Citrus's nylon top housing, which has a slightly higher friction level. The durability of POK is also impressive, with wear resistance that is 14 times stronger than POM and shock resistance surpassing that of Nylon and POM. This robust nature of POK promotes not only longevity but also contributes to a more pronounced clack when the keys are released, giving it a unique auditory characteristic that nylon cannot replicate to the same degree.
Conversely, both the Dareu Snow and HMX Vintage Citrus feature nylon as their material for the bottom housing. Here, the similarities shine through, as the traits of nylon—being a softer plastic—help absorb sound effectively. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on either switch. Thus, while the Dareu Snow's top POK housing lends itself to a smoother touch and sharper sound during release, the nylon bottom housing in both switches anchors the overall typing experience to a richer, more muted auditory quality. This shared characteristic in their bottom housings creates a consistent foundation that denotes a fuller sound and a more pleasant typing experience across both models.
Ultimately, the distinct qualities of the Dareu Snow and HMX Vintage Citrus switches emerge from their housing materials. While the top housing of the Snow aims for a slick, durable experience with precise acoustics during the key release, the common nylon bottom housing in both switches is responsible for providing a rounded and deeper sound when keys are pressed. As a result, the switches offer a unique combination of characteristics that can satisfy different user preferences, and the outcome is an enjoyable typing experience that leverages the advantages of both materials, despite their differences in the upper sections.
Weight
The Dareu Snow linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch showcase notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to varying preferences among typists and gamers. The Snow switch features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Vintage Citrus offers a slightly lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that the Snow switch is heavier overall, providing a more substantial typing experience, which some users might prefer for a satisfying tactile feel. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus, being lighter, allows for less effort during prolonged typing or gaming sessions, making it more suitable for users who favor comfort over the push feel. Both switches offer a medium to medium-light weight profile, but if you lean towards a lighter touch, the Vintage Citrus would be the more favorable choice.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it slightly longer than the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3 mm. This difference means that the Snow switch offers a bit more depth in key travel, appealing to users who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter travel distance, may provide quicker actuation, which could be advantageous for gamers seeking rapid response times. Overall, if you're inclined toward a more responsive experience, the Vintage Citrus may be preferable due to its shorter travel distance, while those who favor a deeper keypress may opt for the Snow switch.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 Dareu Snow linear switch is known for its thocky, low-pitched qualities, offering a rich and satisfying acoustic experience that can be likened to a deep “thud" or soft “knock" upon actuation. This sound signature is complemented by the neutral profile that ensures versatility, making it suitable for various environments whether at home or in an office space. While the HMX Vintage Citrus switch lacks specified descriptors for its sound, it features a bright, clacky sound profile aiming to enhance auditory feedback during gaming. However, given the Snow's deeper tone and the Citrus's emphasis on brightness, these two switches will offer distinctly different auditory experiences.
In terms of feel, the Snow switch provides a bouncy feedback sensation that creates a lively typing experience. This elasticity contributes to a more dynamic interaction with the keyboard, making every keypress feel responsive and engaging. The Vintage Citrus switch does not have a defined feel listed, but its exceptionally low actuation force of 1mm suggests a design that prioritizes quick, effortless key presses, which is arguably still favorable for rapid gaming action. The two may diverge in tactile feedback but could cater to specific user preferences based on their intended use.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Snow and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches cater to different sound and feel experiences, appealing to diverse user preferences. The Snow's thocky sound and bouncy feel offer a robust typing environment, while the Citrus’s emphasis on rapid actuation aligns with fast-paced gaming needs. Although they may lead to similar outcomes in terms of functionality, the unique characteristics of each switch will ultimately determine which might be preferable for specific users and their applications.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, consider your primary use case and personal preferences. If you appreciate a deeper, thocky sound profile and prefer a medium actuation force that offers a bouncy feel for a more dynamic typing experience, the Snow switch would be an excellent choice, especially for general use or a satisfying tactile experience during typing and gaming. On the other hand, if your focus is on gaming performance with rapid key inputs, the Vintage Citrus switch stands out due to its exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, making it perfect for quick, light keystrokes. Its bright and clacky sound profile complements fast-paced gaming environments, appealing to those who enjoy a more responsive switch for rapid actions. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing or gaming style—whether you favor a rich and fuller soundscape or the need for speed in your keyboard interactions.
Mentioned in this article
