Everglide Bamboo Green vs. HMX Perky
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Perky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the diverse world of mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the pros and cons of popular options like the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Perky. The Bamboo Green, known for its distinctly clacky sound profile and sharp, crisp tactility, is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more tactile feel when typing, making it especially satisfying for users who appreciate auditory feedback. On the other hand, the HMX Perky switch offers a linear typing experience characterized by a softer feel, enabling a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke with a notably shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers and those who prefer a minimalist typing experience. While the Bamboo Green provides pronounced feedback that can enhance typing accuracy and engagement, the Perky excels in delivering a calm and fluid pace. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T2
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Perky, significant differences can be identified in the composition of their respective top and bottom housings, ultimately influencing their acoustic and tactile characteristics. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) for both its top and bottom housings. This choice results in a neutral sound profile that lacks both excessive crispness and dullness, allowing for a balanced auditory experience during typing. In contrast, the HMX Perky features nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a material known for its capacity to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, which contributes to a more muted and rounded auditory response.
While both switch types utilize different materials in their housings, these choices lead to distinct yet complementary effects on the overall typing experience. With the Bamboo Green’s PBT housing, users may find that the switches deliver a consistent feel and sound, albeit on the neutral side of the spectrum. In comparison, the nylon housings of the Perky switches provide a typing sensation characterized by a softer bottom-out feel, which enhances the overall auditory depth. This difference is particularly notable when considering how sound is produced—while the Bamboo Green results in a balancing act between crispness and dullness, the Perky's nylon results in a sound that skews decidedly toward the fuller and rounder end of the audio spectrum.
However, it's essential to note that despite their differing materials, the results can be similar in the sense of user experience. Though the Bamboo Green and HMX Perky utilize PBT and nylon, respectively, the split between top and bottom housing contributions means that both switch types can yield a satisfying auditory feedback during typing. In the case of the Bamboo Green, the neutral sound profile creates an effective balance that some users may prefer. At the same time, the Perky’s rounded sound provides a warmer feel that many typists appreciate. Ultimately, the choice between these two options boils down to personal preference in terms of tactile feedback and sound profile, revealing how distinct materials can lead to varied yet enjoyable typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, the actuation forces are identical at 43 grams, meaning both switches will feel similar in terms of the force required to register a keystroke. However, the bottom out forces differ significantly, with the Bamboo Green requiring a heavier 62 grams to bottom out compared to the lighter 50 grams of the Perky. This contrast suggests that while both switches provide a similar initial typing experience, the Bamboo Green will feel more substantial and require more force once fully pressed down, which may appeal to users who prefer a firmer typing feel. Conversely, the HMX Perky's lighter bottom out force would likely be more comfortable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, providing less strain on the fingers. Overall, the Bamboo Green is the heavier switch, making it better suited for those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile experience, while the HMX Perky caters to those favoring a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, it is clear that the Bamboo Green offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Perky provides a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This 0.6 mm difference means that the Bamboo Green may be more appealing to those who enjoy a deeper keystroke, providing a more pronounced tactile feedback. In contrast, the Perky's shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation, which can be preferable for gamers seeking fast response times. If you prefer a more substantial depth, the Bamboo Green is the better choice, but if a swifter keystroke is more to your liking, then the Perky would be ideal. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference regarding depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The HMX Perky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Perky 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches offer a delightful high-pitched, clacky sound signature that is both crisp and resonant. This characteristic makes them particularly vibrant, providing an engaging auditory experience with each keystroke. The clear and sharp tones are complemented by their tactile feel, making them an excellent choice for users who appreciate an audible feedback that's lively and bright. On the other hand, the HMX Perky linear switches are noted for their softer nylon housings, which suggests they might produce a more muted sound profile compared to the Bamboo Green switches. While the specific sound attributes of the Perky switches are not detailed, the softer materials typically result in a less pronounced auditory experience, focusing more on the smoothness of the keystroke than on sound.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches are characterized by a stepped and accented tactile experience, which creates a clear distinction between the pre-travel and post-travel phases of a keypress. This means that users can distinctly feel the tactile bump with each keystroke, thanks to their sharp feedback that provides an excellent response without feeling overwhelming. Additionally, the polished nature of these switches may contribute to a smoother typing experience, reducing friction during use. Conversely, the HMX Perky switches, while possessing a deeply satisfying feel, lack detailed descriptions regarding their tactile qualities. The indication of a “neutral” typing experience suggests that the Perky switches could cater to users who prefer a less intense feedback compared to the Bamboo Green, but specific descriptors to compare can’t be provided.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switches offer a high-pitched, resonant sound with a sharp yet smooth tactile feel, making them appealing for those who enjoy pronounced auditory and tactile feedback. Conversely, while the HMX Perky linear switches boast a deeply satisfying, condensed typing experience, their softer sound profile and lack of detailed feedback characteristics make them potentially more suited to users seeking a quieter and less tactile interaction. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can expect to have distinct experiences with these two switches, catering to different types of typing styles and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch largely depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy tactile feedback that is both sharp and defined, along with a satisfying clacky sound, the Bamboo Green would be an excellent choice, especially for typing or gaming sessions where you appreciate clear sensory and auditory feedback. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams may also cater to those who prefer a bit of resistance in their keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light typing experience with a softer touch and a more condensed key travel, the HMX Perky linear switch is perfect for you. Its lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams allows for quick and effortless typing, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming or long hours of typing without fatigue. In essence, each switch offers unique characteristics: opt for the Bamboo Green for a richer tactile journey and acoustic experience, or select the Perky for a smoother, speed-oriented experience. Your choice ultimately hinges on what you value most in your keyboard feel and sound.
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