Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can greatly enhance your typing or gaming experience. The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar is a cost-effective linear switch celebrated for its smooth, reliable performance and poppy sound profile, making it a solid choice for those seeking a satisfying tactile experience without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch, designed specifically for gamers, stands out with its exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, catering to users who thrive on rapid-fire inputs. With a bright, clacky sound profile and remarkably smooth push feel, the Vintage Citrus excels in fast-paced gaming scenarios. While both switches offer linear characteristics that ensure a seamless flow during use, each caters to different user preferences and needs. 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
55g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar to the HMX Vintage Citrus, a notable distinction is evident in their top housing materials. The Everfree Cedar utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material's translucency makes it an ideal choice for setups enhanced with RGB lighting, as it allows light to pass through, adding an aesthetic appeal. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus is crafted with a nylon top housing, which is a classic choice known for yielding a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a more muted auditory experience that contrasts with the crispness of polycarbonate.
Conversely, both the Gateron Everfree Cedar and the HMX Vintage Citrus employ nylon for their bottom housing. This shared material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as nylon's absorption properties enhance the overall auditory experience. Because of this, while the two switches offer different acoustic characteristics in their top housing, the sound qualities become more similar in the bottom housing, where both switches benefit from the sound-dampening effects of nylon. This alignment suggests that both switches will provide a rich sound experience at the bottom-out point, despite the top housing differences.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials leads to distinct sound and feel profiles for each switch. The Everfree Cedar's polycarbonate top contributes to a sharper sound when releasing the key, while the nylon bottom ensures a fuller tone at the bottom. The Vintage Citrus, with its nylon top, favors a more rounded auditory profile throughout. Though the top materials provide contrasting auditory impacts, the nylon bottom unifies their sound signatures at the key bottoming out point. Therefore, if you're seeking a nuanced typing experience, both switches will deliver an engaging and enjoyable performance, albeit through different auditory avenues.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch to the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Everfree Cedar features an actuation force of 55 grams, making it relatively heavier than the Vintage Citrus, which has an actuation force of 48 grams. This difference suggests that typists who prefer a lighter touch may find the Vintage Citrus more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, while those favoring a firmer keystroke might lean towards the Everfree Cedar. Additionally, the bottom out force for the Everfree Cedar is unknown, while the Vintage Citrus has a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a clearer picture of the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the actuation force indicates that the Vintage Citrus is the lighter switch, while the Everfree Cedar is the heavier option, catering to different user preferences in typing and gaming scenarios.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, a distinct difference emerges. The Everfree Cedar features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it slightly longer than the Vintage Citrus, which has a travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Everfree Cedar may provide a more pronounced tactile experience for those who enjoy a deeper keypress, while the Vintage Citrus caters to users who prefer quicker actuation and response times, often favored by gamers. Thus, if rapid key presses and responsiveness are your priorities, the Vintage Citrus may be the better choice, whereas the Everfree Cedar appeals to those who appreciate a fuller travel distance in their typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar has an MSRP of $2.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Everfree (EF) Cedar for $2.75.
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch delivers a satisfying, poppy sound profile that provides a pleasant auditory feedback, making it suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch has a bright, clacky sound profile that is designed to enhance a gaming experience, especially with rapid keystrokes. While both switches focus on providing a distinct sound experience, the Everfree Cedar leans towards a smoother sound, whereas the Vintage Citrus emphasizes clarity and brightness, catering to more frenetic typing or gaming scenarios.
In terms of feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar is noted for its smooth and reliable performance, making each keystroke a seamless experience. The switch aims for a comfortable typing experience, likely favoring a steady and consistent push. Conversely, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, contributing to a remarkably smooth push feel, which allows for quick and responsive inputs. The smoother action of the Vintage Citrus may be particularly appealing to gamers who benefit from rapid key presses, though the overall tactile experience will differ depending on individual preference and typing style.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and HMX Vintage Citrus switches have their unique attributes tailored to specific users. The Everfree Cedar excels in delivering a satisfying sound and smooth typing experience, perfect for general use, while the Vintage Citrus appeals to gamers with its bright sound profile and minimal actuation force for faster inputs. Choosing between them will ultimately depend on your priorities in sound and feel, but both offer quality experiences in their respective niches.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your preferences and intended use. If you're looking for a cost-effective switch that offers smooth, reliable performance with a satisfying poppy sound profile, the Everfree Cedar is an excellent choice. Its design makes it suitable for both typing and general use, especially if you prefer a switch that feels consistent and pleasant during long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you're a gamer seeking speed and responsiveness, you might prefer the Vintage Citrus. Its exceptionally low actuation force and rapid 1mm actuation distance make it ideal for quick inputs during fast-paced gaming. Additionally, the bright, clacky sound profile and smooth push feel add to the overall gaming experience. Ultimately, if you prioritize a balanced typing feel with reliability, go for the Everfree Cedar; however, if speed and auditory feedback are vital to your gaming prowess, the Vintage Citrus should be your pick.
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