Huano Acacia vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and Everglide Sunset Yellow represent two intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear typing experience. The Acacia switch is celebrated for its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, providing an impressive typing experience straight out of the box with minimal stem wobble. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a smooth and consistent feel without the need for extensive modification. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow captures attention not only with its striking Creamsicle color but also with its captivating sound profile that evokes the playful clatter of mahjong tiles. Its medium weight and unique design features, such as the Ly stem and proprietary factory lubrication, ensure a responsive and indulgent typing experience that’s both sharp and richly textured. Each switch caters to different preferences and typing styles, but they both offer unique qualities that can elevate your keyboard experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches, one notable difference is found in their top housings. The Acacia utilizes a polycarbonate top housing which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiff plastic nature. This stiffness contributes to clearer resonance and makes it particularly suitable for RGB lighting applications owing to its translucency. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow features a POM top housing that creates a more muted and deeper sound profile, resulting in a unique auditory experience that is distinct from the Acacia. This divergence in material choice illustrates how different plastics can significantly influence the acoustic characteristics of the switches, with polycarbonate favoring brightness and clarity while POM leans towards a deeper, more rounded sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Acacia and Sunset Yellow switches demonstrate similarities in their sound profiles, albeit with different materials. The Acacia incorporates a nylon bottom housing, celebrated for its ability to elicit a deeper and fuller sound thanks to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. Meanwhile, the Sunset Yellow also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, which is noted for generating a similarly muted and deep sound profile. This parallel between the two switches indicates that despite the variances in the top housing materials, both switches are designed to offer pleasing auditory experiences, with each housing's characteristics complementing one another to achieve unique sound signatures.
In terms of overall performance, the differences in top and bottom housing materials suggest that the switches may produce distinct feel and sound profiles when activated. Each switch will convey the audible qualities of its bottom housing upon bottoming out, while the top housing will predominantly influence the sound produced when the key is released. Therefore, while the Huano Acacia's polycarbonate top housing imparts clarity and brightness to the sound on release, the deeper tones of the Sunset Yellow’s POM top housing deliver a more subdued auditory feedback. Ultimately, although the materials employed in both switches differ, a cohesive sound experience can be achieved by carefully considering the interplay of the top and bottom housings, allowing users to appreciate the unique traits both switches offer.
Weight
The Huano Acacia and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches show both similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Sunset Yellow switch features a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams. This makes the Sunset Yellow marginally lighter in both categories, which can appeal to users looking for a gentler touch that may enhance prolonged typing comfort. Conversely, the Acacia switch provides a slightly heavier push feel, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer keystroke. While both switches are categorized as medium-light, the differences in their actuation and bottom out forces can affect user experience, making it essential to consider personal preferences when selecting between these two switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, the Acacia has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sunset Yellow measures at 3.2 mm. This makes the Acacia switch the longer of the two, providing a deeper keypress experience, which some users might find more satisfying and less abrupt. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Sunset Yellow is likely to appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, as shorter travel distances are increasingly favored for their potential to enhance performance. In summary, if you’re looking for a more responsive feel, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is the better choice, while the Huano Acacia might be more suitable for those who prefer a bit more key travel and a more substantial tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39, whereas the Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Huano Acacia and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches, the Acacia's auditory characteristics remain unspecified, while the Sunset Yellow is celebrated for its captivating, bassy sound that evokes the delightful clinking of mahjong tiles. This rich, deep sound creates an indulgent experience, with a thocky quality that delivers a satisfying "thud" or soft "knock" upon each key press. The Acoustic qualities of the Sunset Yellow can add a lively touch to the typing experience, especially when paired with the right keyboard and keycaps, while the Acacia's sound remains an enigma, potentially leading to a quieter operation.
In terms of feel, the Acacia switch provides a pleasant typing experience bolstered by its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring smooth key presses from the get-go. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow excels with its creamy and frictionless typing sensation, which makes use of its unique Ly stem and premium lubrication techniques. Users can expect a fluid, polished experience that allows fingers to effortlessly glide over the keys, making each keystroke light and responsive. While the tactile sensations of the Acacia are appealing, they might not offer the same level of smoothness and ease that the Sunset Yellow provides.
Ultimately, both switches present appealing qualities, although they cater to slightly different preferences. The Acacia excels in providing a straightforward, enjoyable typing experience with its reliable performance, while the Sunset Yellow adds a layer of auditory and tactile richness that elevates the act of typing into a more immersive experience. If you're looking for a straightforward yet satisfying switch, the Acacia is a strong candidate. However, if you seek a dynamic typing experience with rich sound and exceptional smoothness, the Sunset Yellow may be more to your liking. Regardless of your choice, either switch will satisfy a range of typists, especially given their appealing characteristics in both sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, your personal preferences and typing needs will play a significant role. If you prefer a switch that offers a balanced typing experience straight out of the box, the Acacia will likely suit you well with its medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble. This makes it an excellent choice for users who value consistency and smoothness in their keystrokes. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a more auditory experience with a richer sound profile, you might find the Sunset Yellow more appealing. With its medium-light 51 grams of force, these switches not only provide an engaging and deep sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles but also deliver a uniquely creamy and frictionless typing feel. Thus, if an indulgent auditory and tactile feedback experience is what you're after, the Sunset Yellow is the way to go. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize a straightforward, smooth typing experience with the Acacia or a rich, immersive feel with the Sunset Yellow.
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