HMX Cheese vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the HMX Cheese, a linear switch, and the Everglide Oreo, a tactile switch. The HMX Cheese switches are renowned for their unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, along with a satisfying clacky and crispy sound signature. These ultra-light switches stand out by being lighter than 90% of all switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switches offer a delightful treat for your fingertips with a crisp tactile bump at the top and a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. These switches strike a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing, with a subtle and mellow sound profile. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but let's delve deeper beyond generalities to help you make the best choice for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Oreo differ significantly in terms of their sound profiles. The Cheese's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Oreo's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile, whereas the stiffer polycarbonate material leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the Oreo's polycarbonate housing is transparent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, while the Cheese's nylon housing is opaque.
In terms of feel, the bottom housings of the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Oreo play a significant role in the typing experience. The softer nylon bottom housing of the Cheese contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Oreo creates a sharper and crisper sound. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more prominent in the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing materials of the two switches have a greater impact on the sound when the key is released, with nylon creating a duller sound and polycarbonate producing a clearer sound.
Despite their differences, the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Oreo both play a crucial role in defining the sound profile of the switches. The use of nylon in the Cheese results in a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate material in the Oreo creates a sharper and crisper sound. While the two switches have contrasting sound profiles, the impact of the housing materials on the typing experience is evident in both cases. Whether it's the softer nylon of the Cheese or the stiffer polycarbonate of the Oreo, the housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches in unique ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, it is evident that the Cheese has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Oreo's 45 grams. However, the Cheese also has a lighter bottom out force of 46 grams, whereas the Oreo has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Cheese a lighter option overall, suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the Oreo offers a slightly heavier feel, which some may find more substantial for typing. Ultimately, one should consider their preference for actuation and bottom out forces when choosing between these two switches, as this will greatly affect the typing experience.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Everglide Oreo tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cheese switch offers a slightly quicker response time, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster reactions. On the other hand, the Oreo switch provides a slightly deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, catering to those who prefer a more responsive feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key press depth and response time.
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 $3.79.
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Cheese linear switch offers a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound profile, while the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides a subtle and mellow sound experience. The Cheese switch is lighter than 90% of all switches, giving it a unique sound signature that stands out. On the other hand, the Oreo switch offers a chirpy sound with a little squeak, setting it apart from other switches on the market. The sound produced by both switches is subjective and can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard construction and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the HMX Cheese linear switch is best known for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience. The Everglide Oreo tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a medium light tactility with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. The Oreo switch is described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle, and as stepped, giving it a mild and distinct two-stage keystroke feel. Both switches offer unique tactile experiences that cater to different preferences and typing styles.
Overall, the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch each have their own distinctive qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cheese switch provides a light and crispy typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound, while the Oreo switch offers a medium light tactility with a chirpy and subtle sound profile. Depending on your typing preferences and desired typing experience, either switch can provide an excellent option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, both switches offer exceptional performance and can deliver a pleasant typing experience for newcomers and experienced users alike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value an ultra-light and smooth typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound, then the Cheese switch is the way to go. However, if you enjoy a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top with a cushioned bottom out feeling, along with a mellow sound profile, then the Oreo switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to whether you prioritize a light linear switch or a medium-light tactile switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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