Haimu Neo White vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Neo White and Dareu Sky POM both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Neo White stands out with its medium weight and reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel suited for those looking for a smooth actuation. On the other hand, the Sky POM switch breaks new ground with its entirely POM material construction, offering a premium feel at an accessible price point. The Sky POM is known for its clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and gentle actuation force. While the Neo White is categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral', the Sky POM falls under categories like 'Buttery', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Silky'. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Haimu Neo White and the Dareu Sky POM, we can see that both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. The Neo White utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Sky POM features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the use of polycarbonate in the Neo White allows for a clearer and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the POM top housing in the Sky POM provides a deeper sound quality that may be preferred by some users.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, both the Neo White and the Sky POM utilize nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound-absorbing qualities. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. While the nylon bottom housing of both switches offers a similar typing experience in terms of sound, the impact of the bottom housing on the overall sound and feel of the switch is more prominent when pressing down on a key. This means that the qualities of the nylon bottom housing will be felt more during typing, contributing to the overall sound profile of the switch.
In summary, while the Neo White and the Sky POM share similarities in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, their top housing materials differ with the Neo White utilizing polycarbonate and the Sky POM utilizing POM. This results in distinct sound profiles, with the Neo White offering a sharper and crisper sound due to its polycarbonate top housing, while the Sky POM provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing. Both switches benefit from the sound-absorbing qualities of nylon in their bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for sound profile and aesthetic considerations such as RGB lighting compatibility.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences. The Neo White has a bottom out force of 58 grams, providing a medium resistance level when fully pressed. In contrast, the Sky POM features an actuation force of 40 grams, indicating a lighter initial push to register a keystroke. While the actuation force of the Neo White is not specified, it is clear that the Sky POM offers a lighter typing experience overall. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Sky POM for extended typing sessions or gaming, while individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may prefer the Neo White due to its higher bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Neo White has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Sky POM. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different feel when typing or gaming. If you prefer a switch with a slightly shorter travel distance for quicker key presses, the Neo White may be the better choice for you. If you prefer a switch with a slightly longer travel distance for a more deliberate keystroke, the Sky POM could be the preferred option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
The Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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
When it comes to sound, the Haimu Neo White switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for a variety of typing scenarios. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch provides a low-pitched and clacky sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to other switches. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Neo White switch provides a mild typing experience that falls into a safe middle-ground zone, offering a gentle and approachable feel for most users. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that is effortless and uniform. This difference in feel suggests that the Sky POM switch may offer a more luxurious typing sensation compared to the Neo White switch.
Overall, the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Neo White switch provides a neutral sound and a mild typing experience, the Sky POM switch stands out with its low-pitched and clacky sound as well as a buttery, creamy, and silky feel. Depending on your preferences for sound and typing sensation, both switches can offer a satisfying typing experience, albeit with different characteristics. If you enjoy a smoother, more luxurious typing feel, the Sky POM switch may be the better choice for you, while the Neo White switch may cater to those who prefer a more neutral and versatile typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-weight switch with a smooth actuation and a slightly reduced total travel, the Haimu Neo White linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch made entirely from POM material that offers a clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and a gentle actuation force, then the Dareu Sky POM linear switch would be a better fit for you. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel when deciding between these two switches to ensure you choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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