Gazzew Bobagum vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gazzew Bobagum and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g each bring unique characteristics to the table, catering to different typing preferences. The Gazzew Bobagum is celebrated for its smooth, matte feel, delivering an almost serene typing experience that strikes a balance between undeniable glide and textured feedback. Uniquely designed with a muted sound profile, these bubblegum-colored switches provide a discreet option for those seeking a quieter environment. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches offer a whisper-quiet operation, emulating the gentle sound of raindrops to create a peaceful typing atmosphere. With their perfectly balanced 53g bottom-out force, they cater to typists who appreciate a lighter, yet still satisfying keystroke. Both switches emphasize a smooth and silent typing experience, each with its own unique touch and 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

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$6.50 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gazzew Bobagum and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offer distinct differences in their housing materials that contribute to their overall auditory experience. The Bobagum utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend for its top and bottom housings, which is often referred to as "boba plastic." This material is designed to deliver a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, which allows for more absorption of sound, resulting in a warmer auditory sensation. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 53g employs nylon for its top housing, a more traditional material that also emphasizes softness in its construction. However, the nylon’s unique properties of sound absorption create a fuller sound profile, which can complement the soft typing experience. While both switches leverage soft plastics for their top housings, the specific materials diverge in their historic performance as nylon tends to provide a slightly different auditory character compared to the proprietary blend of the Bobagum.

In contrast, the bottom housing of each switch showcases a fundamental divergence that significantly affects the typing experience and sound production. The Bobagum's bottom housing, crafted from the same soft Gazzew blend, continues to enhance the warm and rich auditory feedback when a key is bottomed out. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which lends itself to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate amplifies the clarity of the sound, producing a crisper auditory feedback that is inherently different from the Bobagum's rounded response. This distinction is crucial for users seeking specific sound characteristics; while both switches can provide satisfactory feedback, the tactile and auditory experience will vary appreciably due to the material differences in their bottom housings.

Ultimately, if you are aiming for similar results in terms of sound profile and typing experience, you need to consider both the top and bottom housing materials when selecting the switch. Although both the Gazzew Bobagum and the Silent Sakura provide a satisfying typing experience, their differing materials create distinct sound signatures influenced by the combination of housing elements. For those who prefer the deeper sounds that come with the Bobagum's soft plastics, the plush auditory experience remains unique, while enthusiasts of the more clear and resonant feedback from the Silent Sakura may find their preference lies with polycarbonate. Thus, understanding how the interplay between these materials affects the sound produced—softness in nylon versus the sharpness of polycarbonate—will inform users on how best to achieve their desired tactile and auditory experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, there are notable differences. The Bobagum has an unspecified actuation force but a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Silent Sakura has a defined actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. This indicates that the Silent Sakura is the lighter option in terms of actuation, which may appeal to users who prefer lighter switches for prolonged use and less finger fatigue. Conversely, the Bobagum's bottom out force is slightly heavier at 55 grams, providing a more substantial feel upon bottoming out. Overall, if you prioritize a light actuation for ease of typing, the Silent Sakura is the better choice, while the Bobagum may cater to those who appreciate a firmer typing experience, especially at bottoming out. If the actuation force of the Bobagum were known and comparable, those who enjoy similar keystroke feedback might find their experiences quite alike.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, there is a clear distinction: the Bobagum has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Sakura offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference means that the Bobagum caters to those who prefer a shorter, more responsive keypress, which is often favored by gamers seeking quick response times. In contrast, the Silent Sakura’s longer travel distance provides a more pronounced depth that may appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial keystroke feel. Consequently, if you prioritize speed, the Bobagum is the better choice due to its shorter travel distance; however, if you prefer a fuller typing experience, the Silent Sakura would be more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When examining the sound profile of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch, it is characterized by a muted quality that produces a softer and quieter sound, making it ideal for those looking to minimize auditory distractions while typing. This subtle sound profile allows for an enjoyable typing experience without being disruptive, particularly in shared environments. The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, while not explicitly described in sound quality from the available information, is engineered for a whisper-quiet experience akin to gentle raindrops, suggesting a similarly subdued auditory experience. Ultimately, both switches can deliver a quiet operation, though the Silent Sakura may have its unique character.

In terms of feel, the Bobagum linear switch is noted for its 'matte' texture that provides a unique typing experience—smooth yet not overly polished, creating a distinctive sensation under the fingers. This switch features a subtle resistance that ensures a gentle typing feel, making it suitable for various typing speeds and styles. On the other hand, the feel of the Silent Sakura - 53g switch is not detailed, leaving some uncertainty about its tactile characteristics. However, the design focus on balancing a 53g bottom-out force hints at an emphasis on comfort during prolonged typing sessions, suggesting that it may offer a satisfying experience for typists seeking a light, yet stable key action.

In conclusion, both the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g prioritize a quiet and refined typing experience, making them well-suited for users who need to type in shared spaces without causing disruption. The Bobagum switches are praised for their smooth matte feel and muted sound, while the Silent Sakura's sound and feel remain somewhat unspecified. Regardless, users can expect a comfortable and understated typing experience from either switch, making both options excellent considerations for newcomers to mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To wrap up, when choosing between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, consider your typing environment and personal preference for sound and feel. If you value a uniquely smooth typing experience with a muted sound profile, the Bobagum switch is an excellent choice; its almost 'matte' feel offers a distinct tactile sensation that can make typing feel effortless, especially in a quieter setting where you want to minimize disruption. On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter keystroke and a supremely quiet operation—perhaps for late-night typing sessions or shared workplaces—the Silent Sakura - 53g is ideal, mimicking gentle raindrops and providing a satisfying yet understated feedback. Ultimately, each switch caters to different needs: the Bobagum shines in delivering smoothness and a muted auditory experience, while the Silent Sakura prioritizes tranquility and a lighter actuation force. Your choice should reflect whether you prioritize a distinct tactile experience or the utmost in silence and feather-light feel in your typing endeavors.

Mentioned in this article

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more