Gateron Aliaz vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your needs, the Gateron Aliaz and the HMX Vintage Citrus offer distinct advantages tailored to different typing experiences. The Gateron Aliaz is designed with a tactile feel that provides a satisfying feedback while remaining whisper-quiet, making it a perfect choice for office environments or shared spaces where noise can be a concern. Its medium-heavy weight ensures that each keystroke feels substantial, creating a polished typing experience that's favored by those who appreciate tactile response without the auditory distraction. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus caters specifically to gamers, featuring a linear design with an astonishingly low actuation force of just 1mm. This allows for rapid-fire inputs, essential for fast-paced gaming, while its clacky sound profile and ultra-smooth push provide an exciting tactile engagement that's hard to resist. While the Aliaz excels in muted environments and offers a refined typing feel, the Vintage Citrus shines in high-performance scenarios where speed and agility are paramount. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 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 the HMX Vintage Citrus switches differ significantly in their choice of housing materials, which greatly influences their sound and tactile experiences. The Aliaz incorporates polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This material is known for its stiffness, leading to a crisper, higher-pitched sound profile. The translucent quality of polycarbonate allows for a vibrant RGB lighting effect, enhancing the visual aesthetics of a keyboard. By contrast, the Vintage Citrus utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a fuller, deeper sound profile that produces a more rounded auditory experience. This fundamental difference in material affects how each switch responds to typing and the ambiance it generates.
Moreover, the distinctions between polycarbonate and nylon extend to the overall typing feel and sound characteristics of the switches. When typing on the Aliaz, users will experience a sharp and resonant sound that is enhanced by the properties of polycarbonate. The Aliaz's crisp feedback can create an engaging sensation, especially during fast-paced typing or gaming. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus provides a more muted sound due to nylon's sound-absorbing qualities, creating a typing experience that feels softer and more subdued. This difference makes the Vintage Citrus a preferable choice for those who favor a quieter, less intrusive keyboard sound, while the Aliaz caters to users who appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback.
If the top and bottom housings of a switch contain different materials, the resulting sound and feel will be a blend of both. In the case of the Aliaz, which features polycarbonate in both positions, the higher-pitched and resonant characteristics are consistently felt throughout the typing experience. Similarly, the Vintage Citrus delivers a uniformly muted and round sound profile due to nylon’s dominance in both housing components. Consequently, even though the sound profiles differ markedly between the two switches, those looking for a consistent auditory output when pressing or releasing a key can expect uniform results when the same material is used for both top and bottom housings. Thus, understanding the influence of housing materials is crucial for users seeking an optimal typing experience tailored to their auditory preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, it becomes evident that they cater to different preferences in terms of actuation and bottom-out forces. The Aliaz boasts a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom-out force of 75 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom-out force of 53 grams, appealing to those who favor ease of typing during long sessions, be it for work or gaming. Consequently, the Aliaz is designed for users who appreciate a firmer push, while the Vintage Citrus's medium-light forces provide a softer touch ideal for extended use. Therefore, if you're leaning towards a lighter and more responsive feel, the Vintage Citrus is the better option, while the Aliaz will satisfy those who enjoy a heavier and more tactile keystroke.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This difference means that the Aliaz switch provides a deeper keystroke experience, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter 3 mm travel distance, is likely to be favored by gamers and users who seek quicker response times, as the shallower travel can facilitate faster actuation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference: those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke may opt for the Gateron Aliaz, while those who prioritize speed and responsiveness may lean towards the HMX Vintage Citrus.
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 Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the Aliaz stands out for its muted characteristics, designed specifically to minimize noise. This makes it an excellent option for quiet environments like offices, where a quieter typing experience is preferred. On the other hand, while detailed sound descriptions for the Vintage Citrus are not provided, it is known for having a bright, clacky sound profile tailored to an energetic gaming atmosphere. The difference in their sound profiles indicates that the Aliaz is geared more towards discretion, while the Vintage Citrus aims to provide an audible and engaging auditory feedback suited for fast-paced gaming.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Aliaz switches are characterized by a silky and polished typing experience. The silky aspect denotes a notably smooth keystroke with minimal resistance, while the polished trait suggests a refined finish that enhances the typing experience through reduced friction. This combination ensures a comfortable yet substantial keystroke that many users appreciate. The HMX Vintage Citrus, however, does not have a defined feel description available, leaving its tactile and smooth characteristics unknown. Given that it is designed for rapid-fire input, it can be surmised that the Vintage Citrus might offer a very different feel, likely focused on speed and responsiveness.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Aliaz excels in providing a quiet, refined, and comfortable typing experience suitable for professional settings, the HMX Vintage Citrus is aimed more at gamers with its bright sound profile and low actuation force. The Aliaz's smooth and polished feel contrasts the potential speed-oriented design of the Vintage Citrus. Ultimately, if you're seeking a tactile experience that balances noise levels with typing feedback, the Aliaz may be your best bet, whereas the Vintage Citrus could be more appealing if you prioritize rapid key presses and distinctive auditory feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you work in a quiet environment or prefer a subtler typing experience, the Aliaz switches are an excellent option. Their heavy actuation force of 75 grams ensures that every keystroke feels substantial, while their muted sound profile makes them perfect for office settings or late-night typing sessions without disturbing others. The silky and polished feel of the Aliaz enhances your typing experience, making it enjoyable even during long work hours. On the other hand, if you're a gamer seeking a fast, responsive switch, the Vintage Citrus switch is likely your best bet. With its low actuation force and quick 1mm response time, it allows for rapid inputs and a smooth push feel that can give you a competitive edge. The bright, clacky sound profile adds a fun element to your gaming sessions, making each press feel satisfying. By weighing these characteristics, you can better determine which switch will suit your typing or gaming needs most effectively.
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