HMX Cheese vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, you may come across the HMX Cheese and the TKC Tangerine, both of which are linear switches but offer unique qualities. The HMX Cheese is praised for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, accompanied by a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. These ultra-light switches stand out for being lighter than 90% of all switches, making them ideal for those who prefer a light touch while typing. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine stands out for its incredibly smooth feel, thanks in part to the UHWMPE housings, which are rare in the world of bespoke mechanical switches. With a fairly high-pitched clack when typing on them, the Tangerine switches provide a unique typing experience that is both frictionless, buttery, high-pitched, and polished. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the TKC Tangerine switches offer contrasting characteristics. The Cheese's nylon top and bottom housing provide a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the material, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. In comparison, the Tangerine's UHWMPE top and bottom housing offer a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks, providing a different typing experience. These differences in sound profiles make each switch unique in their acoustic qualities.
Despite the differences in sound profiles, both the Cheese and Tangerine switches share similarities in their housing materials. The nylon top housing of the Cheese and the UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine both contribute to the sound when a key is released, offering distinct sound characteristics for users to enjoy. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Cheese and the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Tangerine impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, providing tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience. These similarities in the housing materials result in comparable performance and functionality for both switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the TKC Tangerine switches showcase how different materials can influence the sound profiles and typing experience. The contrast between the duller and rounder sound of the Cheese's nylon housing and the bright and resonant clacks of the Tangerine's UHWMPE housing highlights the importance of material choice in keyboard switches. Whether it be the impact on sound when pressing down on a key or releasing it, each housing material brings unique qualities to the overall typing experience, making the Cheese and Tangerine switches distinct choices for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it is evident that the Cheese is lighter in both aspects. The Cheese has an actuation force of 43 grams compared to None grams for the Tangerine, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with the Cheese. Additionally, the Cheese requires 46 grams for bottoming out, while the Tangerine requires 62 grams, indicating that the Tangerine provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, those looking for a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Cheese switch, while those seeking a heavier feel may opt for the Tangerine switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TKC Tangerine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Tangerine switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cheese switch. In general, a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy more depth in their keystrokes. Both switches offer slightly different tactile experiences due to their travel distances, so ultimately the choice between the two will depend on personal preference.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 per 10 switches.
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 conclusion, both the HMX Cheese and TKC Tangerine linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Cheese switch provides an unparalleled smoothness and a satisfying clacky sound, while the Tangerine switch boasts a high-pitched clack and an incredibly smooth feel attributed to its UHWMPE housings. For those who prefer a lighter switch with a poppy sound, the Cheese may be the preferred choice, while those looking for a high-pitched sound and frictionless, buttery feel may lean towards the Tangerine. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the overall keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between HMX Cheese linear switches and TKC Tangerine linear switches, consider the characteristics that best suit your typing preferences. If you prefer an ultra-light typing experience with a satisfyingly clacky sound, the HMX Cheese switches are your best choice. On the other hand, if you desire a smooth, high-quality keystroke with a high-pitched clack sound, the TKC Tangerine switches would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize lightness and clackiness or smoothness and high-pitched sound in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
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