Dareu Snow vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Snow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Snow switch stands out with its use of POK material for a deeper sound signature, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. The Snow switch is 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', whereas the Tourmaline Blue is 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, but before making a decision, it's important to delve deeper into the characteristics of each switch to determine which one best suits your typing style and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Snow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Snow utilizes POK material for its top housing, providing a smooth and clacky feel with exceptional durability. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. While the POK material offers superior wear resistance and shock resistance, polycarbonate's stiffness lends itself to a more resonant sound quality.
On the other hand, both switches use polycarbonate for their bottom housings, contributing to a crisper and clearer sound profile overall. The Snow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. Despite these differences, both switches benefit from the use of polycarbonate in their bottom housings, resulting in a more vibrant and resonant typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Snow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue may have differing top housing materials, their shared polycarbonate bottom housings offer similar advantages in terms of sound quality. Whether it's the smooth and durable POK material of the Snow or the sharper sound profile of the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate, both switches provide a unique typing experience tailored to individual preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Snow has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Snow requires 60 grams while the Tourmaline Blue needs 67 grams, making the Tourmaline Blue the heavier option in this comparison. Both switches fall under the medium category in terms of actuation force, but the Tourmaline Blue leans towards the medium-heavy side when it comes to bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on personal preference - whether one prefers a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or a heavier force for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Dareu Snow has the shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those who prefer a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a more substantial feeling when pressing down on the keys. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those seeking a more responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer different experiences. The Snow switch has a deeper and low-pitched sound profile, providing a satisfying "thocky" sound when typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a more neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, with the Snow leaning towards a deeper and more bass-heavy tone compared to the Tourmaline Blue.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Snow switch is known for its bouncy feedback, giving a spring-like sensation with each key press. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch is easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate the key, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The Snow switch provides a bouncy and lively feel, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation, catering to different preferences in typing experience.
Considering all the available information, the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Snow switch stands out with its deeper and thocky sound signature, along with a bouncy feedback sensation. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a more neutral sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, but both options promise a satisfying and immersive typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a deeper sound signature and a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Dareu Snow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a thocky sound profile, a smooth and effortless typing sensation, and easy-to-press keys, then the Everglide Tourmaline Blue could be the perfect fit. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences, so ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference for sound and feel.
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