Huano Acacia vs. Gateron Glory Red

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and Gateron Glory Red both offer exceptional experiences, yet cater to different preferences in typing feel. The Huano Acacia, with its medium-light weight, comes equipped with generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, providing a consistent and satisfying typing experience right from the start. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red stands out for its lightweight construction, enabling a smooth keystroke with a pleasing travel distance, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed and fluidity in their typing rhythm. While both switches are linear and designed to deliver enduring performance, one's choice may ultimately hinge on the subtle differences in feel and responsiveness that each switch offers. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Acacia Linear

Gateron Glory Red Linear

$3.39 per 10

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Huano Acacia and the Gateron Glory Red switches, the most notable distinction lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, which lends itself to a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of the material. This quality enhances the acoustic response during typing, producing a high-pitched resonance that can be particularly pleasing for users who enjoy an audible feedback with their keystrokes. Additionally, the polycarbonate's translucency allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding both aesthetic appeal and functionality to the switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red's top housing is crafted from nylon, a material known for its softer characteristics. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and more subdued sound profile, contrasting sharply with the Acacia's bright acoustic signature.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Huano Acacia and Gateron Glory Red switches employ nylon, establishing a consistency in the sound characteristics of the switches' bottom-out behavior. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, arising from the material's inherent ability to absorb sound waves. While both switches share this commonality, it also means that the bottom housing's characteristics will be felt when the key is fully pressed down – thus impacting the overall tactile experience. Therefore, even though the Acacia's top housing creates a higher-pitched sound when the key is released, the fullness provided by the nylon bottom housing helps to bridge the acoustic experience across both switches.

Ultimately, the differences in housing materials significantly alter the auditory experience when typing on these switches. Users seeking a bright and sharper sound will find the Huano Acacia appealing due to its polycarbonate top housing, while those who prefer a deeper and fuller sound will gravitate towards the Gateron Glory Red, with its nylon top housing contributing to an overall softer auditory experience. Yet, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches produce a satisfying acoustic result during key presses, creating similarities in their bottom-out sound profile. Thus, while they deliver varying auditory experiences when typing, both switches can achieve enjoyable and distinct results grounded in their material compositions.

Weight

The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch exhibit similar actuation forces, both requiring 45 grams to trigger a keystroke, making them equally easy to press. However, their bottom-out forces differ significantly; the Acacia switch has a bottom-out force of 55 grams, while the bottom-out force for the Glory Red is currently unavailable. This indicates that the Acacia switch may provide a slightly firmer feedback when fully pressed down, catering to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, without a defined bottom-out force, the Glory Red could potentially provide a lighter feel, although this cannot be determined without further information. Overall, the Huano Acacia is the heavier option due to its higher bottom-out force, while the Gateron Glory Red, at least in terms of actuation force, aligns well with lighter switch preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, the Acacia measures 3.5 mm, while the Glory Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference makes the Acacia the shorter option, providing a slightly quicker response time, which can be appealing for gamers who prefer a more immediate feel when pressing keys. In contrast, the Glory Red, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial and satisfying experience for those who appreciate a deeper key press. While both switches fall within the realm of modern preferences for shorter travel distances, the Acacia caters more to those seeking a responsive touch, while the Glory Red will likely appeal to users looking for a more traditional, hearty depth in their typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Huano Acacia linear switch produces a sound profile that is relatively quiet, allowing for a subtle but satisfying thock when the key is bottomed out. This makes it an excellent choice for users who desire minimal noise during their typing sessions, whether in a shared workspace or for late-night gaming. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red linear switch also maintains a low sound level, delivering a smooth and muted keystroke noise that complements its design. Both switches will produce a similar sound environment, but ultimately, acoustic experience can be influenced by factors like the choice of keyboard case and keycap material.

When it comes to feel, the Acacia stands out with a medium-light weight that contributes to a balanced and easy typing experience. The generous factory lubrication ensures a smooth keystroke with minimal stem wobble, which enhances stability and responsiveness. In comparison, the Gateron Glory Red switch, being the lighter option in its series, provides an equally smooth keystroke with a slightly shorter travel distance. Users may find both switches enjoyable for long typing sessions or gaming, as they each offer a satisfying tactile response that minimizes finger fatigue.

In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and Gateron Glory Red linear switches present compelling options for keyboard enthusiasts who prefer linear switches with a quiet operation and smooth feel. The Acacia’s medium-light weight and effective lubrication yield an exceptional typing experience, while the Glory Red offers a similar smoothness with a lighter touch. Though the sound and feel characteristics deliver unique aspects, users can expect a comparable experience when using either switch, making them both worthy considerations for enhancing any mechanical keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, your preferences and intended use play a crucial role. If you prefer a switch that offers a well-rounded typing experience right out of the box, the Acacia is an excellent choice. With its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, it not only reduces feel inconsistencies due to minimal stem wobble but also gives you better feedback and comfort over longer typing sessions. This is particularly beneficial if you spend significant time typing or gaming and want that extra assurance of a reliable keystroke. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lighter, smooth keystroke with a satisfying travel distance, the Gateron Glory Red is definitely worth considering. These switches excel in delivering a fluid typing experience, which is ideal if you prefer a faster response – think rapid gaming or a light touch when typing. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference: the Acacia suits those who favor stability and consistency, while the Glory Red caters to users who enjoy a quicker and lighter keystroke.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Acacia Linear

$3.39 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Glory Red Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more