Everglide Bamboo Green vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Xinhai offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, making it a popular choice among typists who enjoy a satisfying feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Xinhai is a linear switch that stands out for its unique PA12 top housing and POM stem, providing a softer acoustics profile and a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. While the Bamboo Green excels in providing a sharp and polished typing experience, the Xinhai boasts a creamy and bouncy typing feel. 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
43g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Xinhai, one key difference is seen in their top housing materials. The Bamboo Green uses PBT, which offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Xinhai features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for integrating RGB lighting. This distinction in top housing materials highlights how the choice of plastic can significantly impact the sound and aesthetic qualities of a switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, another difference emerges between the two switches. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT for its bottom housing, providing a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Xinhai features a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound compared to the stiffer PBT material. This contrast showcases how different housing materials can affect the overall sound and typing experience of a switch.
In instances where the top and bottom housings differ, the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing material has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in housing materials between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Xinhai, understanding how each material contributes to the overall typing experience can help users make informed decisions based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that the Xinhai is the lighter of the two, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. In contrast, the Bamboo Green has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Xinhai switch would provide a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a feather-light keystroke. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, which may be preferred by those who like a bit more resistance when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is clear that the Bamboo Green has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Xinhai's 3.4 mm. The Bamboo Green offers a more traditional depth of travel, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the Xinhai's shorter travel distance may be favored by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether you prioritize responsiveness or a more tactile typing experience. Both switches offer unique benefits, and selecting the one that aligns with your individual typing style will ensure an optimal typing experience.
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 Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $3.19.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, producing a sharp and crisp sound with an immersive auditory quality. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai switch is described as clacky, providing a sharp, snappy sound when pressed. The Xinhai switch is crafted with a unique PA12 top housing and a POM stem for a softer acoustics profile with a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. When it comes to sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green leaning towards a sharper sound and the Xinhai emphasizing a more percussive tone.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is characterized by its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feedback. The switch offers a two-stage tactile feel with a medium amount of tactility that is not overwhelming nor subtle. The sharp tactile bump provides a strong and crisp feedback intensity, while the polished finish ensures smooth key travel with reduced friction. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai switch offers a bouncy and creamy typing experience, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation with a smooth and buttery feel. The bouncy keys offer a lively bounce when pressed, while the creamy sensation allows for effortless keystrokes that glide smoothly across the keys.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch and the HMX Xinhai switch each offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Bamboo Green switch provides a high-pitched and resonant sound with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feel, the Xinhai switch offers a clacky sound profile with a bouncy and creamy typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches present distinct options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, choosing between the two would come down to personal preference for sound and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature with a sharp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a linear switch with a softer acoustics profile and a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance, the HMX Xinhai switch would be the better choice. Whether you prioritize the feel or the sound of your keyboard switches, both options offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Bamboo Green and HMX Xinhai switches will come down to your personal preference in terms of force, sound, and feel.
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