Huano Acacia vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear present intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a tailored typing experience. The Huano Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, which together create an excellent typing experience right out of the box—perfect for those who prioritize comfort and consistency in daily use. In contrast, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear introduces a novel approach with its semi-silent design, characterized by a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still delivering a clacky bottom-out sensation. This feature, coupled with its silky smooth type feel, makes it an appealing choice for users who appreciate a balanced auditory experience without sacrificing performance. While each switch has unique qualities that cater to different preferences— the Acacia’s immediate usability versus the Semi-Silent Linear’s innovative sound profile—both offer compelling reasons to be considered. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Huano Acacia and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches share notable similarities in their housing materials, particularly concerning their polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which is known for producing a crisper, sharper sound profile. This is attributed to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate a pronounced auditory response in their keyboard. Moreover, the clear translucency of the polycarbonate facilitates impressive RGB lighting effects, ensuring that users can customize their lighting experience effectively across both switch types.
In contrast, the bottom housing materials diverge, as both the Acacia and the Semi-Silent Linear employ nylon. As a classic material in keyboard switch design, nylon contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition. This softness allows nylon to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a rounder and more subdued auditory output. Despite the different sound characteristics introduced by the top and bottom housing materials, the nylon bottom housing imparts a softer touch and feel during typing, impacting the bottom-out sound differently than the polycarbonate top housing does when releasing a key.
Ultimately, the combination of these materials influences the overall auditory and tactile experience of each switch. While both the Huano Acacia and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear aim to provide high-quality performance through similar polycarbonate top housings, the contrasting nylon bottom housings enrich their profiles. The Acacia's and Semi-Silent Linear's construction allows users to achieve a blend of sharpness and depth in sound, making both switches appealing to a wide range of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. This convergence in material use leads to complementary results, showcasing how variations in housing materials can enhance the overall tactile experience of utilizing the keyboard.
Weight
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch present distinct actuation and bottom out forces that can influence user experience significantly. The Acacia has an actuation force of 45 grams, which allows for a lighter feel during typing, making it a better choice for users who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear lacks a specified actuation force, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison; however, its bottom out force is noticeably higher at 62 grams, indicating a more substantial feel when the key is fully depressed. This heavier bottom out force, along with the unknown actuation force, suggests that the Semi-Silent Linear switch may feel firmer overall. Ultimately, for those seeking a lighter switch for prolonged use, the Huano Acacia is the superior choice, while users who prefer a more robust typing experience may lean towards the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear despite its unspecified actuation force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, the Acacia features a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference highlights the Acacia's design, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, as shorter travel distances often facilitate quicker actions. Conversely, the Semi-Silent Linear, with its longer distance, may provide a more pronounced tactile experience, which some users prefer for a more satisfying feel during typing. If someone favors responsiveness, they would likely gravitate towards the Acacia, whereas those who appreciate a deeper keypress might opt for the Semi-Silent Linear. Overall, the distinct travel distances cater to differing user preferences, making the Acacia the better choice for speed and the Semi-Silent Linear the ideal option for depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 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 Huano Acacia linear switch delivers a pleasant auditory experience characterized by its well-balanced resonance. It allows users to appreciate the typing sound without overwhelming noise, making it suitable for both office and home environments. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a unique auditory profile with its semi-silent designation. The top-out sound is whisper-quiet, which is complemented by a clacky bottom-out sound. This duality provides a more subdued and neutral auditory experience, appealing to users who prefer less intrusive clicking while still retaining some character during keystrokes. Ultimately, the sound profile of both switches caters to users who want a balance between noise levels and tactile feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Huano Acacia linear switch stands out with its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, resulting in an exceptional typing experience that minimizes stem wobble. This makes for a smooth and enjoyable keystroke. In contrast, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a diverse feel, characterized by its silky smooth action that is not excessively polished. Users will find it provides a mild typing sensation, yet remains snappy and responsive due to its design. The buttery and polished qualities of the Semi-Silent Linear switch add to the overall smoothness, creating a refined touch during typing. Both switches will deliver a comfortable tactile experience, though the Semi-Silent promotes a more dynamic feel.
In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches provide distinct yet enjoyable typing experiences. The Acacia excels with its balanced sound and excellent feel, making it a strong contender for outright user satisfaction. Meanwhile, the Jwick switch introduces an innovative sound profile with its semi-silent characteristic, alongside a smooth, responsive typing sensation. Choosing between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference regarding sound and feel; however, users can expect quality performance from either option.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and typing preferences. If you prefer a more effortless typing experience with a medium-light actuation force and great factory lubrication, the Acacia is an excellent choice for both casual and extensive typing sessions. Its smooth feel and minimal stem wobble make it ideal for users who enjoy a vibrant typing experience without the need for extensive customization. On the other hand, if you are looking for a balance between performance and sound, the Semi-Silent Linear may be more appropriate. Its slightly heavier bottom-out force provides a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it a solid option for those who want a snappy, yet subdued sound profile. The whisper-quiet topping-out sound, combined with a clacky bottom-out, is perfect for shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions. In essence, if sound is a concern and you appreciate a smooth and polished feel, go with the Semi-Silent Linear; whereas, if you seek a lighter, smoother typing experience right out of the box, the Acacia should serve you well.
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