HMX Cheese vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and Everglide Sakura Pink both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The HMX Cheese switch is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, accompanied by a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. With ultra-light properties that make them lighter than 90% of other switches, the HMX Cheese switches excel in providing a unique typing sensation. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are beloved for their super light 35g actuation force, perfect for those who prefer a delicate typing touch. Offering a gliding type feel and frictionless operation, the Sakura Pink switches produce a delightful poppy sound akin to bubble wrap being popped. 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
35g
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
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Cheese and the Everglide Sakura Pink both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Cheese's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Sakura Pink's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound with its stiffer plastic. While the Cheese offers a duller and rounder sound, the Sakura Pink provides a more clear and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both housing materials offer distinct benefits to the overall typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the nylon bottom housing of the Cheese and the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink similarly affect the sound profile of the switches. Both materials contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, with the nylon absorbing more sound for a duller sound and the polycarbonate creating a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the bottom housing enhances the aesthetic appeal of switches, particularly when paired with RGB lighting. While the bottom housing may have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the choice between the HMX Cheese and the Everglide Sakura Pink ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetic appeal. The differing housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate offer unique characteristics that cater to individual typing preferences. Both switches provide distinct typing experiences based on the sound profile created by their respective housing materials. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound with a duller tone or a sharper, crisper sound with a clear resonance, both switches offer quality options for a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it is clear that both switches are relatively light in terms of force required. The Cheese has slightly higher actuation force at 43 grams compared to the Sakura Pink's 35 grams, but both have a bottom out force of 46 grams and 45 grams respectively. This means that both switches offer a light typing experience overall. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, either of these switches would be a suitable choice. In contrast, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may find these switches to be too light for their liking and should consider options with heavier actuation and bottom out forces. In this case, choosing either the Cheese or the Sakura Pink would yield similar results in terms of typing feel due to their comparable light forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Cheese being on the shorter end and the Sakura Pink being slightly longer. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Cheese a popular choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Sakura Pink due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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
In terms of sound, the HMX Cheese linear switches are best known for their satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches produce a delightfully poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences that add a playful touch to your typing sessions. However, the specific sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cheese switches are known for their unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches provide a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing sensation. These switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience, perfect for typists who prefer a light actuation force and minimal resistance during key presses. The Sakura Pink switches give a gliding type feel that enhances the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cheese and Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. While the Cheese switches provide a clacky sound and smooth typing experience, the Sakura Pink switches offer a poppy sound and effortless typing sensation. Depending on your personal preference for sound and typing feel, you can achieve similar results with either switch, ultimately enhancing your overall keyboarding experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prioritize a slightly lighter bottom out force and enjoy a satisfyingly clacky and crisp sound while typing, the HMX Cheese switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter actuation force and value a smooth and effortless typing experience with a playful poppy sound, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch could be more suitable for your needs. Both switches offer a unique typing sensation and cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider your own preferences when making a decision. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on what qualities you prioritize in your typing experience.
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