HMX Cheese vs. HMX Jelly

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and HMX Jelly both offer unique experiences tailored to different typing preferences, despite both being linear switches. The HMX Cheese is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness and a delightful clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, making it an intriguing choice for those who enjoy an ultra-light feel—lighter than 90% of switches available on the market. This switch caters to typists who prefer a fast, responsive touch while adding a bit of auditory feedback to their keystrokes. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly delivers a contrasting experience with its low-pitched, deep thocky sound signature. Enhanced by excellent factory lubrication, it provides a smooth feel with a slightly heavier actuation force of 42g, appealing to users who seek a deeper auditory experience while typing. While both switches have their merits, your ultimate decision may depend on whether you prioritize a lighter, more delicate feedback or a richer, deep sound in your typing escapades. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Cheese Linear

HMX Jelly Linear

$5.50

$3.99 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

Both the HMX Cheese and HMX Jelly utilize nylon for their housing materials, including both the top and bottom components. This choice offers a consistent experience in terms of sound and feel across both products. The use of nylon, known for its softer properties compared to harder plastics, leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The sound absorption characteristics of nylon contribute to a duller and rounder auditory experience, which may appeal to users looking for a more subdued keystroke noise. Consequently, those who opt for either the Cheese or Jelly switches can expect a similar acoustic experience, making both options suitable for environments where noise may be a consideration.

Despite sharing the same material for all housing components, the way the Cheese and Jelly switches provide feedback during typing may differ subtly based on their specific designs or internal mechanisms. The bottom housing notably influences the bottom-out feel and sound, while the top housing predominantly affects the sound when a key is released. However, since both switches feature nylon housings, the primary auditory qualities will remain unchanged. Users who type on either switch will likely notice similar tactile feedback and sound characteristics, though individual preferences for the overall feel may lead to different user experiences.

In summary, with both the HMX Cheese and HMX Jelly employing nylon for both their top and bottom housings, they present a unified sound profile and tactile sensation that is conducive to a rich typing experience. Users can expect the same deeper, fuller sound due to the nylon's damping capabilities in both switches. While minor differences may arise from other design elements, the shared nylon material will yield comparable performance, allowing users to choose based on additional preferences without sacrificing auditory or tactile quality.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, both exhibit similar force characteristics, though there are some differences worth noting. The Cheese has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Jelly features a slightly lighter actuation force of 42 grams but a marginally heavier bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Cheese requires a touch more force to actuate a keystroke, but bottoms out at a lower force compared to the Jelly. In terms of overall weight, both switches are classified as light, making them suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming without causing excessive fatigue. However, the subtle differences in actuation and bottom out forces suggest that users seeking a slightly more subtle keystroke preference may lean towards the Jelly, while those who prefer a touch more resistance when bottoming out might favor the Cheese.

Travel distance

The HMX Cheese linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Jelly linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when you press down on the keys, the Cheese switch offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Jelly. In terms of performance, gamers who prefer faster response times might gravitate toward the Cheese switch due to its more responsive feel. Conversely, the Jelly switch, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial key press, providing a more hearty depth when typing or gaming. Therefore, those looking for a quick and responsive experience should opt for the HMX Cheese, while those who favor deeper key presses may find the HMX Jelly to be the better choice.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Cheese linear switch produces a clacky, poppy, and crispy signature that many users find delightful and engaging during typing sessions. This versatile auditory feedback contributes to an enjoyable typing experience, making it appealing for both casual and competitive use. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound, offering a more muted auditory experience that some might find comforting or less intrusive. It’s important to remember that the overall sound can also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used, so personal preferences may vary.

When considering the feel of these switches, the HMX Cheese delivers an unparalleled smoothness that results in a pristine typing experience. Its ultra-light actuation makes it highly responsive, allowing for quick keystrokes without much effort. In contrast, the HMX Jelly linear switch, while also lightweight and incredibly smooth, embraces a slightly more pronounced feedback due to its low actuation force of 42g. This can provide a different tactile sensation compared to the Cheese, with perhaps a bit of resistance that some typists may prefer for more controlled typing.

Overall, both the HMX Cheese and Jelly linear switches offer distinct auditory and tactile experiences, catering to different preferences. The Cheese excels in providing a lively sound and smoothness, while the Jelly stands out with its deeper thock and light feedback. Depending on your priorities—be it sound signature or tactile response—either switch can lead to a satisfying typing experience. If the specific qualities resonate with you, you can expect to achieve similar results with either option while considering personal factors such as keyboard setup and keycap choice.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the HMX Cheese and HMX Jelly linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor an exceptionally smooth and lightweight typing experience accompanied by a lively and crisp sound, you should gravitate towards the HMX Cheese switches. Their bottom-out force of 46 grams makes them particularly appealing for fast typists or gamers who desire rapid actuation without feeling bogged down. On the other hand, if you appreciate a richer auditory experience with a deeper, thocky sound and a slightly higher bottom-out force of 48 grams, the HMX Jelly switches may be your ideal choice. These switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback and are perfectly suited for those who enjoy a more pronounced sound during their typing sessions. In the end, your choice should reflect not only your typing style but also the overall acoustic environment you wish to create while using your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Cheese Linear

$5.50

$3.99 per 10

Learn more

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more