Gateron Aliaz vs. HMX Caramel Pudding
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the HMX Caramel Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can significantly enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Aliaz switches are a favorite among users seeking a tactile feel without the accompanying noise, making them an ideal choice for quiet environments like offices. With their medium-heavy weight, they provide a substantial sensation with each keystroke, allowing for a pronounced typing feedback that is both silky and muted. On the other hand, the HMX Caramel Pudding switches are perfect for those who enjoy a more auditory typing experience. With their resonant, clacky sound signature and an exquisitely smooth typing feel, they cater to users who appreciate a lively, engaging atmosphere while typing. While both switches offer distinct advantages depending on your preferences—whether it's the serene focus of the Aliaz or the vibrant feedback of the Caramel Pudding—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and HMX Caramel Pudding switches offer a fascinating juxtaposition of housing materials, each contributing distinct auditory characteristics to the overall typing experience. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and clarity, yielding a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that resonates distinctly when keys are pressed. This clear and resonant quality enhances the RGB lighting experience, making the polycarbonate top particularly appealing for those who appreciate visual aesthetics alongside sound. Conversely, the Caramel Pudding's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, creating a deeper, more rounded auditory output. As a classic switch housing material, nylon delivers a fuller sound that can evoke a more plush and satisfying typing experience, albeit at the cost of some of the clarity that polycarbonate imparts.
When examining the bottom housings, the differences between the Aliaz and Caramel Pudding become even more pronounced. The Aliaz again opts for polycarbonate, ensuring that the bottom-out sound remains sharp and crisply articulated. This reinforces the switch's high-frequency auditory characteristics, which are emphasized through both housings working in unison. In contrast, the Caramel Pudding harnesses the qualities of nylon for its bottom housing, which tends to absorb sound and produce a duller profile. This may lead to a softer bottom-out sound that feels more muted compared to the Aliaz, ultimately impacting the overall tactile feedback during typing. Thus, the Caramel Pudding projects a soundscape that prioritizes warmth and fullness, while the Aliaz retains a clearer and more pronounced auditory signature.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in both switches shapes the user experience significantly. While the Aliaz's polycarbonate components coalesce to elicit a higher-pitched and crisper sound, the Caramel Pudding's dual nylon housing creates a softer and fuller auditory impression. Despite their differences, both switches maintain unique sound profiles and tactile sensations throughout the typing experience. Users interested in achieving a specific auditory outcome can choose one switch over the other, appreciating that material choices will lead to distinctive results; however, making adjustments to typing technique or keycap selections can bridge the gap in sound experiences, regardless of the base materials chosen.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch, notable differences in weight are evident. The Aliaz requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, making it a sturdier option that some may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Caramel Pudding switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, catering to those who favor a softer feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. As a result, the Gateron Aliaz is the heavier switch, whereas the HMX Caramel Pudding is lighter, appealing to different user preferences regarding tactile feedback and typing comfort.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch varies, with the Aliaz measuring 4 mm and the Caramel Pudding at 3.6 mm. This makes the Aliaz the longer option, offering a more substantial depth that some users may find preferable for a tactile experience. In contrast, the Caramel Pudding, with its shorter 3.6 mm travel distance, caters to those who favor quicker response times, such as gamers, who typically benefit from a more responsive feel. While both switches provide distinct tactile experiences, the Aliaz allows for a more pronounced keypress, which some may find comfortable, while the Caramel Pudding’s shorter travel can feel more abrupt yet efficient for rapid actions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will largely depend on individual preferences regarding depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The HMX Caramel Pudding has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Pudding for $2.99.
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
The audio profile of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is defined by its muted sound, engineered for environments where noise is a concern, such as the office. Its design minimizes the typical clacking noises associated with mechanical keyboards, allowing users to enjoy a quieter typing experience, which can be beneficial during meetings or shared workspaces. In contrast, the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch is characterized by a resonant, clacky sound signature, which adds a lively auditory element to typing sessions. This switch is likely suited for those who appreciate the audible feedback that comes with each keystroke, making it a great option for home or gaming setups where sound is less of an issue.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz switches provide a medium-heavy weight that results in a substantial feel, delivering a sense of typing satisfaction with each key press. Users can expect a silky and polished tactile experience, reducing resistance as fingers glide over the keys effortlessly. This smooth operation contributes to an enjoyable typing rhythm. Alternatively, while the specific tactile feedback of the Caramel Pudding switches is not described, the switch is noted for its exquisitely smooth travel, indicating a fluid typing experience that can compete with the refined feel of the Aliaz.
In summary, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch offers a quiet, polished, and silky typing experience, ideal for those who work in sound-sensitive environments, while the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch provides a lively clacky sound paired with a smooth typing feel better suited for a more casual or gaming environment. If you prioritize a hushed environment and a tactile sensation, the Aliaz will serve you well, whereas the Caramel Pudding is perfect for those who enjoy the auditory and tactile feedback of their keystrokes. Each switch aligns with different preferences, yet both can deliver satisfying results based on your unique typing needs and surroundings.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Gateron Aliaz tactile switches and HMX Caramel Pudding linear switches ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and environment. If you work in a quiet office setting or prefer to type without disturbing those around you, the Aliaz switches emerge as an ideal option. Their heavier actuation force (75 grams) delivers a substantial feel with a pronounced tactile response, while their muted sound ensures a discreet typing experience. On the other hand, if you seek a delightful and lively typing experience with a resonant, clacky sound signature, the Caramel Pudding switches would be more suitable. With a lighter actuation force of 52 grams, the smoothness and satisfying feedback make them excellent for both typing and gaming, offering an engaging experience without being overly taxing on your fingers. Ultimately, consider your environment and typing preferences; the Aliaz is about silent comfort and robust feedback, while the Caramel Pudding offers smooth and vibrant expressiveness.
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