United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

Dareu Holly vs. KTT Kang White

An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the KTT Kang White switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and KTT Kang White offer contrasting experiences that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, stands out with its medium 50g actuation force and a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, appealing to users seeking a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Kang White, a linear switch, boasts a poppy typing sound and unparalleled smoothness due to its self-lubricating material. While the Holly is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', 'Neutral', the Kang White falls under 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral'. 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

45g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

58g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

No

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The key difference between the Dareu Holly and the KTT Kang White lies in their housing materials. Both keyboards feature polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic that results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Holly uses nylon while the Kang White also utilizes nylon. Nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound.

In terms of sound profiles, the Dareu Holly and the KTT Kang White offer contrasting experiences due to their housing materials. The Holly's polycarbonate top housing creates a clearer and sharper sound, while the nylon bottom housing adds depth and fullness to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Kang White's polycarbonate top housing delivers a similar sharp sound, with the nylon bottom housing contributing to a rounded and muffled sound profile. Despite these differences, both keyboards offer a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences and needs.

Overall, the choice between the Dareu Holly and the KTT Kang White will depend on individual preferences for sound profiles. The Holly's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials offers a balance between clarity and depth, making it suitable for users who appreciate a dynamic typing experience. In contrast, the Kang White provides a more rounded and muffled sound due to its nylon bottom housing, which may appeal to those seeking a softer typing feel. Ultimately, both keyboards showcase the impact of housing materials on sound profiles and demonstrate the importance of considering these factors when selecting a mechanical keyboard.

Weight

In comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch, we find that the Holly has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Kang White's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Kang White requires 58 grams, while the bottom out force of the Holly is unknown. The Holly switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force, which may appeal to those looking for a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Kang White switch provides a lighter actuation force, which could be advantageous for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier keystroke feel.

Travel distance

Both the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, offering users a consistent typing experience in terms of distance traveled when pressing down on the keys. This means that whether you choose the Holly or the Kang White, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and travel distance. Consequently, neither switch is shorter or longer than the other when it comes to travel distance. Users can rest assured that they will get the same keypress sensation regardless of their choice between these two switches.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.

The KTT Kang White comes in at $1.99 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

The Dareu Holly switch offers a unique sound profile that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience for users. On the other hand, the KTT Kang White switch is praised for its dazzling linear typing sound, enhanced by the self-lubricating material that contributes to an unparalleled smoothness while typing. While the Holly switch leans towards a more unique sound signature with chirpy and clacky elements, the Kang White switch focuses on a crisp and smooth linear typing experience.

When it comes to sound, the Holly switch offers a chirpy and clacky combination, creating a distinct typing sound that stands out from other switches. On the other hand, the Kang White switch produces a low-pitched and neutral sound, characterized by a mellow tone and a moderate actuation force that is suitable for various typing preferences. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material.

Unfortunately, there is no available information on the tactile feel of the Dareu Holly and KTT Kang White switches. However, based on the sound profiles and characteristics mentioned, they offer contrasting experiences in terms of sound. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on whether you prefer a unique chirpy and clacky sound of the Holly switch or the smooth and linear typing experience of the Kang White switch. Both switches provide their own distinct qualities, so it's essential to consider your preferences and typing style when selecting the switch that best suits your needs.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing sound and feel. If you are looking for a unique typing experience with a balanced and distinctive sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, then the Holly switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a dazzling, poppy linear switch with unparalleled smoothness due to its self-lubricating material, the Kang White with a bottom out force of 58 grams might be more suitable for you. Consider your typing preferences and the type of sound and feel you desire to make the best choice between these two switches. Ultimately, the decision is in your hands to choose the switch that will enhance your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article