Gateron Glory Red vs. HMX Jelly
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Red and the HMX Jelly switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Glory Red and the HMX Jelly offer distinct experiences despite both being linear switches. The Gateron Glory Red is celebrated for its lightweight design, providing a smooth keystroke with a satisfying travel distance that many users find enjoyable, making it an excellent choice for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly stands out with its unique low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, complemented by exceptional factory lube, which ensures a super smooth typing experience and a lightweight actuation force of just 42g. While the Glory Red emphasizes a pleasant feel and ease of use, the Jelly attracts users seeking auditory feedback alongside a fluid typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
T2
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Glory Red and the HMX Jelly switches are notable for their use of nylon in both their top and bottom housings. This shared choice of material contributes significantly to the acoustic and tactile experience offered by both categories of switches. Nylon is recognized for its ability to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Given that both switches employ nylon in the same configuration, users can expect a similar auditory experience characterized by a duller and rounder sound signature when typing on either switch. The resonance produced is not only pleasing but offers a subtle quality that enhances the overall feel of key presses.
Despite the identical materials used in their construction, there can be nuanced differences in how each switch delivers its sound and tactile feedback due to design variations that may not be specified in the materials alone. Each switch is likely to have its unique characteristics, such as stem design or specific assembly techniques that alter the tactile feedback and sound upon key activation and release. While both the Glory Red and HMX Jelly utilize nylon to achieve a comparable sound profile, the internal mechanics and interactions may lead to distinct experiences in typing performance and feedback upon bottoming out. This means that even with the same housing materials, the overall switch experience may still differ in feel and sound due to these intrinsic design choices.
Ultimately, the consistency of the nylon used in both the Glory Red and HMX Jelly switches ensures that users can expect a particular sound signature that enhances typing comfort. Both switches will have the foundational characteristics provided by the nylon — soft yet durable, sound-absorbing yet responsive enough to provide tactile feedback. Nonetheless, anyone searching for the perfect switch will benefit from trying both varieties; they might find that while they share material attributes, the tactile and auditory experiences can lead to preferences based on subtle differences in design beyond just the housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, a few distinctions emerge. The Gateron Glory Red has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the HMX Jelly is lighter at 42 grams. This difference suggests that the Jelly switch may provide a more effortless typing experience, which could be beneficial for prolonged use in work or gaming scenarios. The bottom out force of the Jelly is rated at 48 grams, indicating that it requires slightly more effort to press all the way down compared to its actuation force, although the bottom out force of the Glory Red is unknown. Since the Jelly's actuation force is lighter and it has a defined bottom out force, it can be concluded that the Gateron Glory Red is the heavier option of the two, making it suitable for users who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, if a user values a lighter switch for comfort, the HMX Jelly might be the better choice, while the heavier Gateron Glory Red could appeal to those seeking a firmer tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, we find that the Glory Red has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jelly has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This difference means that the Jelly offers a more substantial keypress, which may appeal to users who prefer a deeper feel and a hearty response when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Glory Red makes it a more suitable choice for gamers seeking quicker response times and a more immediate feel when pressing keys. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for depth versus speed, with the Glory Red being the shorter option and the Jelly providing a more extended experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
The HMX Jelly has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jelly for $2.99.
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 Gateron Glory Red linear switch offers a smoother, more neutral audio profile that is relatively quiet during typing, allowing for a more subtle acoustic experience. This makes it a great choice for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. In contrast, the HMX Jelly linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, which provides a satisfying auditory feedback that many users find appealing. The thocky sound can enhance the overall typing experience for those who enjoy a more pronounced audio cue with each keystroke, but it's essential to remember that the final sound also depends on the choice of keyboard plate and keycaps.
Regarding feel, the Glory Red switches deliver a smooth keystroke with a pleasing travel distance, which contributes to a comfortable typing experience. Users often describe it as effortlessly gliding down and up, making it ideal for those who prefer a light touch. On the other hand, the HMX Jelly switches are super smooth as well, benefiting from excellent factory lube and featuring a lightweight actuation force of 42g, also allowing for a very fluid typing experience. Both switches will offer a satisfying linear feel, but while the Glory Red leans towards a more traditional linear experience, the Jelly provides a slightly different tactile satisfaction due to its inherent design attributes.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Glory Red and HMX Jelly switches present unique qualities tailored for different user preferences. The Glory Red excels in delivering a more subdued sound and a smooth keystroke, making it perfect for quieter settings. The Jelly switch, with its distinctive thocky sound and smooth operation, appeals to those seeking a more pronounced auditory feedback. While both switches can offer a lovely typing experience, the choice will ultimately depend on personal preference for sound and the desired feel. Whether one seeks an understated typing sound or an engaging auditory response, rest assured both options deliver quality performance and satisfaction.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Glory Red and HMX Jelly linear switches ultimately hinges on your preferences in feel, sound, and typing experience. If you gravitate towards a lighter touch and the pursuit of a smooth keystroke, the Glory Red switches could be the ideal match for you, especially if you enjoy a more forgiving actuation without the added weight at the bottom out. However, if you prefer a switch that offers a more tactile feedback with a deeper sound profile, you might find the HMX Jelly switches to be more in line with your needs. Their thocky sound signature and slightly heavier bottom-out force can provide a satisfying auditory and tactile experience during long typing sessions. In summary, opt for the Gateron Glory Red if you seek a breezy typing experience with minimal resistance, whereas the HMX Jelly is better if you desire that extra weight and a pronounced sound to anchor your keystrokes.
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