Everglide Bamboo Green vs. HMX Gravel

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear can greatly impact your typing experience, and two notable contenders are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Gravel. The Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, is characterized by its sharp and resonant sound signature, providing a delightful clack with each keystroke, complemented by a polished tactility that many typists find satisfying. This switch is perfect for those who appreciate feedback while typing, making it an exciting choice for both typists and gamers who crave a more engaging interaction. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel switch stands out with its ultra-smooth actuation and medium-light force, catering to users who prefer a quieter and more seamless experience. This linear switch allows for rapid key presses without the pronounced tactile bump, making it ideal for those who favor speed over feedback, such as competitive gamers and fast typists. Each switch offers unique benefits tailored to different preferences, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

HMX Gravel Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Gravel both feature distinct sound profiles influenced by their unique housing materials. The Bamboo Green utilizes a PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) top housing which provides a neutral auditory experience; it strikes a balance between crispness and dullness, creating a sound that's neither particularly sharp nor flat. In contrast, the HMX Gravel employs a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its ability to create a higher-pitched, crisper sound due to the material's stiffer nature. This difference in material choice means that while both switches might perform well, they deliver sound characteristics that cater to different user preferences, with Bamboo Green offering a more mellow experience versus the sharper tones of the Gravel.

Looking at the bottom housings, the Bamboo Green continues with PBT, maintaining that neutral sound profile, while the Gravel features nylon, a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. The soft properties of nylon tend to absorb more sound, resulting in a more rounded audio experience, which contrasts with the more balanced yet less resonant characteristics of PBT. This difference implies that the Bamboo Green provides a consistent sound across both housing sections, while the Gravel's nylon bottom enhances the auditory richness, allowing users to express different tactile sensations based on their typing style and the chosen housing configuration.

Ultimately, the integration of both top and bottom housing materials is crucial for the overall typing experience in each switch. With the Everglide Bamboo Green, the unified PBT material offers a cohesive sound profile, making it suitable for users who prefer a consistent feel without drastic tonal variation. In comparison, the HMX Gravel, with its polycarbonate and nylon combination, allows for a dual character in sound, combining the acute resonance of the polycarbonate with the dampened depth of the nylon. Regardless of the distinct properties of these materials, switches that feature varied housing can still yield satisfying results by balancing the sound profiles attributed to each section during use, enabling a rich auditory experience molded by individual preference.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, categorizing it as a medium switch. In contrast, the HMX Gravel features a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, but it has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that while the Gravel requires just a touch more effort to initiate a keystroke, its overall push feel is less forceful when fully pressed down compared to the Bamboo Green. As a result, the Gravel can be considered the lighter option in terms of overall typing experience, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green's heavier bottom out force may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing feel, especially during long gaming marathons or extensive work periods.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch, it's clear that they differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional depth favored by users who enjoy a more tactile experience. In contrast, the HMX Gravel has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, catering to gamers and those who prefer quicker response times. This shorter distance allows for faster actuation, making it ideal for rapid key presses; however, some users may find it feels too abrupt compared to the deeper feedback from the Bamboo Green. Ultimately, if you're looking for a switch that provides a more substantial feel, the Bamboo Green's 4 mm travel distance is the better choice, whereas if responsiveness is your priority, the Gravel's 3.5 mm travel distance will deliver quicker actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When considering sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a distinct high-pitched sound profile characterized by its clacky and resonant nature. Typing on these switches produces a sharp, crisp auditory experience that stands out, making it a favorable choice for users who prefer a more piercing tonal quality over deeper, bassy sounds. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the HMX Gravel linear switch have not been specified, so it’s uncertain how they might compare; however, the smooth action of linear switches tends to produce a quieter and more subdued sound profile overall.

In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches exhibit notable tactile qualities. They are described as stepped, meaning there is a clear two-stage feedback that can be felt during typing, offering a balance between moderate and sharp tactility. This allows for pronounced feedback without overwhelming the user—an attractive feature for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile response. These switches also have designed attributes of being polished, ensuring a smooth typing experience. Conversely, the feel of the HMX Gravel switches remains unspecified, but many linear switches typically provide a consistently smooth typing experience due to their lack of tactile bumps, making them great for users who prioritize fluid key presses.

In conclusion, while the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switches deliver a vivid auditory and tactile experience, the HMX Gravel linear switches promise a smoothness that may appeal to different preferences. If acoustic characteristics are essential, the Bamboo Green's high-pitched and resonant sounds distinctly enhance typing, while the unknown aspects of the Gravel may lead to a quieter interaction overall. Ultimately, the choice between tactile and linear switches hinges on individual preferences for sound and feel: if one prefers feedback and clarity, the Bamboo Greens certainly deliver, whereas if smoothness is the priority, the Gravels would be worth considering, albeit without clear sound profiling.

Conclusion

In summary, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and what kind of experience you wish to create. If you appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback with a clacky sound profile, the Bamboo Green would be an excellent choice. Its medium bottom out force of 62 grams provides a satisfying level of resistance, making it suitable for those who enjoy a more engaged and tactile typing experience, especially beneficial for typing tasks that demand precision and focus. On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and a light touch, the HMX Gravel switch, with its lighter 50 grams bottom out force, is likely to be your go-to option. This switch is designed for effortless keystrokes, making it ideal for high-speed typing or gaming where speed and a refined feel are crucial. Ultimately, consider your personal typing style and the desired auditory and tactile sensations; whether you lean toward the sharper and resonance of the Bamboo Green or the smooth and responsive nature of the HMX Gravel, both switches serve unique preferences to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more