HMX Cheese vs. HC Studio Crabapple
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the HC Studio Crabapple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and HC Studio Crabapple both offer unique experiences for typists. The Cheese is praised for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, with a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. On the other hand, the Crabapple is crafted entirely from POM, providing an effortlessly frictionless typing journey with a distinct dry smoothness and subtle texture felt with each downstroke. While the Cheese is lighter than 90% of all switches, the Crabapple offers a mild and understated sound signature. Each switch has its own set of qualities that cater to different preferences. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
Both the HMX Cheese and the HC Studio Crabapple use different materials for their top and bottom switch housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Cheese's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and producing a duller and rounder tone. In contrast, the Crabapple's POM top housing offers a unique and pleasing sound profile that leans towards the deeper side, with a relatively more muted tone. While both materials aim to enhance the typing experience, they do so in different ways, catering to individual preferences for sound and feel.
Despite their differences in top housing material, both the Cheese and the Crabapple share a commonality in their bottom switch housings. The nylon bottom housing of the Cheese and the POM bottom housing of the Crabapple both contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to their softer plastic composition that absorbs sound effectively. As a result, the bottom housing of these switches plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel when typing. This shared characteristic highlights the importance of the bottom housing in influencing the overall sound experience of mechanical switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the HMX Cheese and the HC Studio Crabapple comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. While the Cheese's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Crabapple's POM top housing provides a unique and muted tone. Both switches utilize bottom housings that contribute to a deeper sound experience, emphasizing the role of housing material in shaping the overall typing experience. Whether seeking a rounder sound with the Cheese or a deeper tone with the Crabapple, the housing materials of these switches cater to different preferences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch to the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch, it's evident that the Crabapple is the lighter option in terms of actuation force. The Crabapple requires 37 grams to actuate a keystroke, whereas the Cheese needs 43 grams. Additionally, the Crabapple also has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 45 grams compared to the Cheese's 46 grams. Both switches fall into the lightweight category, making them suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. The difference in actuation and bottom out force between the two switches may not be significant enough to drastically alter the typing feel, so users can expect similar results in terms of force required for typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding typing force.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. The difference in distance between the two switches is minimal, with the Crabapple being slightly longer. For most users, the difference of 0.1 mm is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both switches offer a similar typing experience with a quick and smooth actuation, making them suitable choices for those looking for a shorter travel distance option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.99.
The HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
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
The HMX Cheese linear switch is renowned for its distinct clacky, poppy, and crispy sound, providing a satisfying auditory experience for typists. On the other hand, the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch offers a more subdued sound, creating a mild and understated typing ambiance. The sound produced by each switch plays a significant role in the overall typing experience, taking into account the user's preference, keyboard build, and keycap selection.
When it comes to the typing feel, the HMX Cheese switch is known for its unparalleled smoothness, offering a pristine and effortless typing experience. In contrast, the HC Studio Crabapple switch prides itself on being crafted entirely from POM, providing a frictionless typing journey with a dry smoothness that is complemented by a subtle texture felt with each keystroke. The Crabapple switch offers a mild and approachable typing feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users.
Overall, both the HMX Cheese and HC Studio Crabapple linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cheese switch excels in providing a clacky and satisfying typing sound with unparalleled smoothness, the Crabapple switch stands out for its frictionless and mild typing feel supported by a subtle texture. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can achieve an exceptional typing experience with either switch, ensuring a high level of satisfaction and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value a light bottom out force and a satisfying clacky sound with smoothness, the Cheese switch may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a bottom out force that is slightly lighter, a subtle sound signature, and a frictionless typing journey with a dry smoothness, the Crabapple switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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