HMX Cheese vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often gravitate towards unique options that fit their typing preferences and style. On one hand, the HMX Cheese switches are celebrated for their unparalleled smoothness and a pristine typing experience, distinguished by a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. As ultra-light switches, they weigh in lighter than 90% of all available options, making them ideal for those who favor swift and effortless keystrokes. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide a harmonious blend of smooth operation and a rich, deep sound, offering a more balanced typing experience that is both satisfying and precise. Additionally, their full compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds a layer of versatility that attracts performance-focused users. While both switches present compelling advantages—whether it be the Cheese's lightweight responsiveness or the Rice Pudding's rich auditory feedback—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
38g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of HMX Cheese and Everglide Rice Pudding switches exhibit notable differences, particularly in their top housings, which significantly influence sound profiles. The HMX Cheese employs a nylon top housing that is characterized by its softer plastic properties. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as nylon absorbs more sound than the harder plastics commonly used in other switch housings. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and consequently produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This distinct material choice not only enhances the clarity of the sound profile but also contributes to a more resonant typing experience. Thus, users can expect a distinctly different auditory feedback from each switch due to these contrasting materials.
However, the bottom housings of both HMX Cheese and Everglide Rice Pudding switches are made from nylon, which aligns them in terms of sound quality for that portion of the switch. Nylon's softer characteristics lead to a duller and rounder sound profile, contributing to the deeper tones experienced during typing. Therefore, regardless of the differences in their top housing materials, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches maintain a cohesive and satisfying typing experience in terms of sound when bottoming out. This allows users to enjoy a consistent auditory experience that is characterized by the warmth and depth that nylon brings, underscoring its classic status in switch design.
Ultimately, the distinct sound experiences provided by the HMX Cheese and Everglide Rice Pudding can be attributed to the interplay between their respective top and bottom housing materials. While the Cheese’s nylon top creates a warm, rounded sound, the Rice Pudding’s polycarbonate housing offers a crisper tonal quality. However, since both switches share nylon for their bottom housings, the overall effect is that users may experience a blended sound profile that incorporates attributes from both materials. This nuanced combination allows typists to enjoy a unique sound experience tailored by the differences in their top housings, while still savoring the familiarity and depth provided by the nylon in the bottom.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both demonstrate relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to users who prefer a softer typing experience. The Cheese switch has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Rice Pudding switch features a slightly lighter actuation force of 38 grams but a higher bottom out force of 48 grams. This indicates that while both switches are lightweight in terms of actuation, the Rice Pudding requires more force to bottom out compared to the Cheese. As such, the Cheese offers a slightly more subtle feeling when typing, whereas the Rice Pudding, despite being lighter at actuation, delivers a firmer feel when fully pressed down. Overall, those who seek a lighter option may prefer the Rice Pudding for prolonged typing sessions, but those who enjoy a more substantial feedback might lean towards the Cheese due to its lower bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, indicating that they offer the same level of key press depth when engaged. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable tactile experience when using either switch, making them both suitable for various typing preferences. Since both switches have identical travel distances, you can achieve similar results in terms of keystroke feel and responsiveness with either 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 $3.79.
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 characterized by its clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, creating an engaging auditory experience that is lively and vibrant. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch presents a deeper sound profile, providing a more subdued yet satisfying auditory experience that balances smooth performance with a pronounced resonance. While both switches deliver unique sound signatures, the Cheese switch leans towards a brighter, more energetic sound, whereas the Rice Pudding switch offers a richer tone, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference in terms of auditory aesthetics.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cheese switches excel in providing an incredibly smooth typing experience, remarkable for their ultra-lightweight action, which makes them suitable for users who appreciate minimal resistance during key presses. The Rice Pudding switches, on the other hand, combine smooth operation with a sense of precision, delivering a balanced tactile performance that appeals to those who enjoy both comfort and responsiveness while typing. Although both switches aim for a smooth experience, the Cheese switches take it a step further with their feather-light actuation, making them arguably the smoother option.
In summary, the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Cheese switches offer a lively, crisp audio experience along with an unparalleled smoothness, while the Rice Pudding switches provide a deeper sound alongside a balanced typing sensation. Ultimately, selecting between these two switches hinges on what qualities resonate most with the typist—be it an energetic auditory feedback or a precision-focused tactile performance—and both options promise enjoyable typing experiences in their own unique ways.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch will largely depend on your personal typing preferences and the specific experience you're seeking from your keyboard. If you prioritize an incredibly smooth typing experience with a light touch and enjoy a more pronounced sound profile that showcases a clacky and poppy sensation, the HMX Cheese switches are likely the best fit for you. These switches are ideal for fast typists or gamers who enjoy aggressive keystrokes while maintaining a playful auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you are looking for a well-rounded option that offers a perfect balance between smooth operation and a deeper sound profile, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches may be more suited to your needs. This switch offers a satisfying and precise feel that caters to both typists and gamers, especially those who appreciate the compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards, thus expanding your options for performance and versatility. Ultimately, your choice should reflect not just your typing style, but also your desired sound and feel preferences to ensure you enjoy every keystroke.
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