Gateron Oil King vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and the Dareu Snow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Oil King is renowned for its buttery smoothness and low-pitched sound profile, providing a luxurious typing experience akin to snapping a dark chocolate bar. On the other hand, 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 while typing. Each switch has its own distinct characteristics, making them suitable for different types of users. 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and Dareu Snow both utilize different materials for their top housing, with the Oil King using nylon and the Snow using POK. While both materials contribute to a smooth typing experience, the nylon top housing of the Oil King creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the POK top housing of the Snow is known for providing a smooth, clacky sound. Additionally, the durability of the POK material surpasses that of nylon, making the Snow potentially more resilient in the long run.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Gateron Oil King features a proprietary INK blend, while the Dareu Snow utilizes nylon. The INK blend of the Oil King produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, resulting in a satisfying clacky sound. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Snow contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing counterpart in the Oil King. Both housings play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches.
While the materials used for the top and bottom housings differ between the Gateron Oil King and Dareu Snow, both switches offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences. The split between the top and bottom housing qualities means that each component contributes differently to the overall sound and feel of the switch. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound profile with the Oil King's nylon housing or a smooth, clacky sound with the Snow's POK housing, both options provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct characteristics.
Weight
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch have similar actuation forces, with the Oil King being slightly heavier at 55 grams compared to the Snow's 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Oil King requires more force at 65 grams compared to the Snow's 60 grams. This makes the Dareu Snow switch lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. The lighter actuation force of the Snow switch may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, while the heavier bottom out force of the Oil King switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the user's personal preference for either a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Oil King has a slightly longer travel distance, making it better suited for those who prefer a deeper key press feeling. On the other hand, the Snow has a shorter travel distance, appealing to gamers and individuals looking for a faster response time. Both switches offer unique advantages depending on personal preference. If you enjoy a more responsive feel, the Snow switch may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more substantial key press, the Oil King switch would be ideal. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preferences in travel distance.
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 Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Oil King and Dareu Snow linear switches offer distinct characteristics. The Oil King provides a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, reminiscent of a deep, mellow tone with a rich bass quality. On the other hand, the Snow switch is noted for its thocky and neutral sound, offering a deep, satisfying thud or knock during key presses. Both switches can deliver a pleasing auditory experience, with the Oil King offering a darker chocolate-like snap and the Snow presenting a deeper sound due to its innovative use of POK material. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference and the overall sound profile desired for the typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Oil King and Dareu Snow linear switches also exhibit unique qualities. The Oil King is renowned for its creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke sensation. In contrast, the Snow switch offers a bouncy feel, giving a spring-like and elastic feedback when pressed. Whether you prefer a smooth and gliding typing experience or a lively and rebounding keypress, both switches offer different tactile feedback to cater to individual preferences. The choice between the two would depend on the preferred typing feel, whether it be a smoother touch or a more dynamic bounce during typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King and Dareu Snow linear switches each offer their own unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Oil King provides a low-pitched and bassy sound with a creamy and silky typing feel, the Snow switch delivers a thocky and neutral sound with a bouncy typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for sound profile and tactile feedback during typing. Both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience, providing smooth and satisfying keypresses for a variety of users.}}">{{$session}}
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and enjoy a low-pitched, bassy sound profile with a creamy, silky typing experience, then the Oil King may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, a thocky or neutral sound profile with a bouncy typing feel, then the Snow switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider your individual typing preferences and priorities when making your decision.
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