Dareu Snow vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to choose from are the Dareu Snow, a linear switch, and the Aflion Windy Shadow, also a linear switch. The Snow switch is known for its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature while typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow by Aflion boasts a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, making typing a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Windy Shadow features a 55g bottom-out that is medium-light. Both switches have their own set of advantages, 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow and Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique housing materials for their switches. The Snow features a POK top housing, known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky feel, while the Windy Shadow uses a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. In terms of visual aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Windy Shadow allows for RGB lighting to shine through due to its translucency, adding a unique flair to the switch design. While both materials offer their own advantages, the POK top housing of the Snow is focused on smoothness and durability, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Windy Shadow emphasizes a clear and resonant sound profile.
When it comes to the bottom housings, both the Dareu Snow and Aflion Windy Shadow utilize nylon housing materials. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This allows for a duller and rounder sound, giving a distinct typing experience for users of both switches. With both switches utilizing nylon bottom housings, the typing experience on each switch is likely to have similar characteristics in terms of sound and feel, providing consistency across different aspects of the switch design.
Overall, while the Dareu Snow and Aflion Windy Shadow may have different top housing materials, the use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches creates a commonality in their sound profiles. The differences in sound between the POK and polycarbonate top housings may be distinct, but the shared use of nylon bottom housings ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of depth and fullness of sound. Each switch offers its own unique blend of materials to cater to different preferences, whether it be a focus on smoothness and durability with the Snow or a sharper sound profile with the Windy Shadow.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we find that the Snow requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Windy Shadow's unknown actuation force. However, the Snow has a higher bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Windy Shadow has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Snow switch slightly heavier overall. When considering weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force and bottom out force of the Windy Shadow for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, while others may appreciate the stronger push feel of the Snow for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, the Snow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Windy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are preferred by gamers for faster response times. The Snow will provide a slightly quicker keystroke due to its shorter travel distance, while the Windy Shadow may offer a bit more depth to each press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired feel when typing or gaming.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 and low-pitched characteristics, offering a deep and rich sound when typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch also has a low-pitched sound profile, along with a neutral tone. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Snow switch having a deeper sound signature compared to the Windy Shadow. Overall, users can expect a similar auditory experience from both switches, with slight variations in depth and tone.
Moving on to the feel, the Dareu Snow linear switch is often described as bouncy, offering a spring-like feedback when pressed. This lively sensation gives users a sense of rebound and responsiveness during typing sessions. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch provides a milder typing experience, with a gentle and approachable feel. While the Snow switch leans towards a more bouncy feel, the Windy Shadow switch offers a more subtle and user-friendly typing experience. Users can expect a slight difference in the tactile feedback between the two switches, catering to different preferences.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Snow and Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Snow switch boasts a thocky and bouncy typing experience with a deeper sound profile, the Windy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched and milder feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound depth and tactile feedback, users can choose between these switches to enhance their typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfactory and enjoyable typing experience, ensuring that users will get similar results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Snow if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force of 60 grams and enjoy a deeper sound signature with a thocky, low-pitched profile. On the other hand, select the Windy Shadow if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force of 55 grams and appreciate a neutral sound profile with a low-pitched tone along with a mild, approachable typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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