Dareu Snow vs. PH Studio Yoel
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the PH Studio Yoel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Snow and the PH Studio Yoel both offer unique experiences for typing enthusiasts. The Snow switch stands out for its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature and smooth linear feel. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch provides a satisfying typing experience with a distinct bouncy feel. On the other hand, the Yoel linear switch by PH Studio, manufactured by BSUN, offers a chewy typing experience with a bright and clacky sound profile. Categorized as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Resonant', the Yoel switch delivers a pronounced and satisfying resonance with each key press. While both switches have their unique qualities, it ultimately comes down to personal preference when choosing the best switch for your typing needs. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow and PH Studio Yoel keyboards both utilize different housing materials in their construction, each offering unique benefits to the overall typing experience. The Snow's POK top housing provides a smooth and durable feel to the switches, while the Yoel's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials contribute to the overall quality of the switches, they each bring distinct characteristics to the table. The Snow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Yoel's POM bottom housing produces a uniquely pleasing and muted sound.
While the Snow's POK top housing is known for its smooth and clacky feel, the Yoel's polycarbonate top housing provides a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile. The POK material offers exceptional durability and wear resistance, making it a top choice for switch makers. In contrast, the use of polycarbonate in the Yoel switches results in a clear and sharp sound, especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting. The Snow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper sound profile, while the Yoel's POM bottom housing offers a more muted and pleasing sound experience.
Overall, the housing materials of the Dareu Snow and PH Studio Yoel switches each bring unique qualities to the typing experience. While the Snow's POK and nylon materials offer smoothness and depth in sound, the Yoel's polycarbonate and POM materials provide clarity and uniqueness in sound profiles. Both keyboards utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, allowing for a balance of impact and sound when typing. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound or a crisper and clearer sound, both keyboards offer quality options for switch enthusiasts.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch are quite similar. Both switches have a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium level of resistance when typing. However, the Snow has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Yoel's 53 grams. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Snow may be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Yoel offers a slightly stronger push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a bit more resistance. Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces are similar between the two switches, the slight difference in actuation force may result in a slightly different typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the PH Studio Yoel linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. Gamers looking for a quicker keypress may prefer the Yoel switch with its slightly shorter travel distance. However, for those who prefer a bit more depth and feedback in their keystrokes, the Snow switch with its 3.3 mm travel distance may be the better option. Ultimately, both switches offer a shorter travel distance compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, catering to individuals looking for increased efficiency in their keystrokes.
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 PH Studio Yoel has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yoel for $4.10.
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 is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deep and rich typing experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch is characterized by a clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a bright and crisp auditory feedback with a resonant quality when keys bottom out. While the Snow delivers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the Yoel offers a sharp and percussive sound that may appeal to users who prefer a more bright and snappy profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding sound characteristics, taking into consideration factors such as keyboard and keycap choices.
As for feel, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives keys a lively and rebounding feel when pressed. In contrast, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch offers a creamy and polished typing experience, with a smooth and buttery sensation that feels like gliding fingers effortlessly across the keys. The silky and refined finish of the Yoel switch enhances overall smoothness and minimizes resistance during key presses and releases, while the bouncy nature of the Snow switch gives a more vibrant and elastic feedback. Depending on preference for a more lively or smoother typing feel, users can choose between the bouncy Snow or the creamy Yoel switch.
Taking into account the sound and feel qualities of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, users can expect distinct experiences when typing with each switch. The Snow offers a deeper and richer sound with a bouncy feel, while the Yoel provides a brighter and crisper sound accompanied by a creamy and smooth typing sensation. Depending on whether one prefers a thocky low-pitched sound with lively feedback or a clacky high-pitched sound with a silky smooth feel, users can make an informed decision based on their individual preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, and users can expect satisfying results with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and enjoy a deeper sound signature with a thocky, neutral, and low-pitched profile, the Snow switch might be the one for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bright and clacky sound profile with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and enjoy a typing experience described as chewy, clacky, marbly, and resonant, the Yoel switch could be the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel when typing, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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