Dareu Snow vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Snow and the Durock White Lotus offer unique experiences for different preferences. The Dareu Snow is a linear switch that stands out for its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem, providing a deeper sound signature while typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', this switch is suitable for those who prefer a smooth and consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus is a tactile switch designed for the discerning typist, offering a delicate tactility that is perfect for work and extended typing sessions. Featuring a removable light column for vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Subtle'. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, but 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
50g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow features a top housing made of POK material, known for its smoothness and durability, while the bottom housing is made of nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend for its top housing, providing a unique and premium feel, and also uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile. Both switches highlight the importance of housing materials in creating distinct typing experiences.
While the Dareu Snow prioritizes smoothness and durability with its POK top housing, the Durock White Lotus focuses on providing a unique and premium feel with its modified PC and UPE Blend material. Despite this difference, both switches share the utilization of nylon for their bottom housings, showcasing a preference for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The choice of materials in each housing contributes to the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switches.
Ultimately, the comparison between the housing materials of the Dareu Snow and the Durock White Lotus reveals a balance between smoothness, durability, and sound profile. While the POK material in the Snow's top housing offers exceptional smoothness and durability, the White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend provides a unique premium feel. However, both switches share the use of nylon in their bottom housings, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile when typing. The choice of housing materials plays a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience and sound characteristics of mechanical switches.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch differ slightly in weight. The Snow switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the 46 grams of the White Lotus, making it a bit lighter. In terms of bottom out force, the Snow requires 60 grams of force, while the White Lotus requires 56 grams, making the White Lotus slightly lighter in this aspect as well. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the White Lotus switch, as it requires less force both for actuation and bottoming out. On the other hand, the Snow switch may appeal to those who prefer a bit more resistance for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium to medium-light feel, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing comfort and experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Durock White Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The White Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Snow, making it a better option for those who prefer a deeper keypress feel. On the other hand, the Snow's shorter travel distance may be more appealing to gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches offer unique experiences based on their travel distances, with the Snow being on the shorter side and the White Lotus being on the longer side. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between a shallower or deeper keypress feel to suit their typing or gaming needs.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, creating a deep and rich typing experience with a satisfying tone. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch also provides a low-pitched sound, ensuring a bass-heavy and mellow tone while typing. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments and users. Ultimately, the sound produced by these switches will also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that adds liveliness to each keystroke. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus switch is characterized as mild and subtle, offering a gentle typing experience with a light touch and a non-resonant sound signature. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by providing comfort and responsiveness to users.
Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is clear that both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Snow switch excels in providing a bouncy and deep sound with a lively feel, the White Lotus switch focuses on a light and easy-to-press tactile experience with a mellow sound profile. However, both switches feature a neutral sound profile, making them versatile options for a wide range of users. Whether you prefer a more bouncy and deep sound or a light and gentle typing experience, both the Snow and White Lotus switches offer high-quality features that will enhance your overall typing satisfaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. You may want to choose the Dareu Snow switch if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force at 60 grams and enjoy a thocky, neutral, or low-pitched sound profile. Additionally, if you appreciate a bouncy feel when typing, the Snow switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force at 56 grams and desire a low-pitched or neutral sound profile, as well as an easy-to-press, mild, or subtle feel, then the Durock White Lotus switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches should be based on your individual typing preferences and the overall typing experience you wish to achieve.
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