TTC Gold Red vs. HMX Jelly

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, two intriguing options that stand out are the TTC Gold Red and the HMX Jelly, both categorized as linear switches. The Gold Red is celebrated for its buttery smooth typing experience, offering a light-medium resistance that balances comfort and feedback. Its moderately thocky, low-pitched sound profile provides just enough character to enhance your typing experience without overwhelming your workspace. Conversely, the HMX Jelly boasts a deep, thocky sound signature complemented by an exceptional factory lube, delivering a super smooth feel and a lightweight 42g actuation force. While both switches prioritize smoothness and linearity, their auditory and tactile characteristics cater to different preferences in sound profile and typing sensation. With these distinctions in mind, it's essential to consider your personal typing style and preferences when making a choice. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Gold Red Linear

HMX Jelly Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The TTC Gold Red and HMX Jelly switches feature distinctly different materials for their top housings, which significantly influences the overall sound profile and feel of each switch. The Gold Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and clear sound transmission. This stiffness contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched acoustic response, creating a crisper typing experience that can be especially beneficial in RGB setups due to its translucency. In contrast, the Jelly features a nylon top housing, a material that provides a softer touch and a deeper, fuller sound profile. The absorption properties of nylon result in a rounder auditory experience, offering a more muted sound compared to the pronounced clarity provided by polycarbonate.

However, both switches share similar bottom housing materials, with nylon used in each design. This commonality means that when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the key press, both the Gold Red and Jelly will produce a deeper and fuller acoustic signature. This is largely due to nylon’s tendency to absorb sound, which diminishes the sharper tones that might otherwise be produced in a switch with a harder bottom housing material. Consequently, even though the Gold Red's top housing provides a higher-pitched tone, the overall sound profile during typing will be influenced significantly by the nylon bottom, unifying the two switches in this aspect.

Ultimately, the combination of a polycarbonate top housing in the Gold Red and a nylon top housing in the Jelly showcases the diverse sonic experiences that different combinations of materials can yield. While the Gold Red may deliver a brighter, clearer sound during key release, the Jelly's softer nylon top allows for a deeper sound that may appeal to users seeking a more subdued auditory feedback. However, since both switches share the nylon bottom housing, they will produce a richer sound profile at the bottom-out point, offering a level of consistency between the two styles. Users can thus enjoy a balanced typing experience while appreciating the unique characteristics each switch brings to the table.

Weight

The TTC Gold Red and HMX Jelly linear switches both feature relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for users who prefer a softer typing experience. The Gold Red has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Jelly slightly edges out with a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Despite these minor differences, both switches deliver a similar typing feel, which can be advantageous for users who engage in extended typing sessions, whether for work or gaming. Ultimately, the HMX Jelly is the lighter of the two, providing a slightly easier push for actuation and bottoming out, whereas the Gold Red offers a marginally heavier push feel, appealing to those who favor a more substantial tactile experience.

Travel distance

The TTC Gold Red linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Jelly linear switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Gold Red the longer of the two switches, providing a more traditional and deeper feel during key presses, which some users may prefer for a more pronounced tactile experience. In contrast, the Jelly switch, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those who favor quicker response times, making it a more suitable choice for gamers seeking efficiency in their keystrokes. While both switches serve their purpose well, the difference in travel distance highlights the diverging preferences in keyboard feel: the Gold Red is ideal for those who appreciate a deeper actuation, whereas the Jelly appeals to those who prefer a snappier, more agile response.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Red linear switches produce a snappy profile that strikes a balance between being noticeable and unobtrusive. The thocky deep sound provides a satisfying auditory feedback, while its low pitch maintains a mellow tone that’s versatile for various environments, making it suitable for both casual and professional settings. The sound is notably neutral, ensuring that it doesn't become overwhelming for those who are sensitive to noise. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the HMX Jelly linear switches are currently unknown, which means a direct comparison in this regard cannot be established.

When discussing the feel of these switches, the Gold Red linear switches excel with their buttery smooth and silky typing experience, accompanied by mild resistance that is accessible to newcomers. The typing sensation stands out as polished and subtle, minimizing friction and enhancing overall comfort during extended typing sessions. This makes it a great option for users looking for an enjoyable yet efficient experience. Unfortunately, the feel of the HMX Jelly switches is not specified. Thus, we can only draw conclusions about the TTC Gold Red switches in this category.

Overall, if you're aiming for a switch that offers a smooth and refined typing experience with a balanced sound profile, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is a commendable choice. Its low-pitched and thocky sound, combined with a silky feel, makes it versatile for both home use and office work. In contrast, as details about the HMX Jelly switches are not available, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive comparison. For those prioritizing sound and feel in their switching experience, the Gold Red presents a more defined option at this time.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you value a smooth typing experience with a light-medium resistance and a subtle sound profile, the Gold Red is an excellent option. Its buttery smooth feel combined with a low-pitched thocky sound can add a touch of character to your setup without overwhelming your workspace, making it suitable for both casual and office use. On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter actuation force paired with a deep, thocky sound signature, the Jelly switch could be more appealing. Its exceptional factory lube ensures an incredibly smooth feel, perfect for those who prioritize typing pleasure or engage in heavy typing sessions. In shared environments, the Jelly’s subtle sound may also offer less disturbance to others around you. In essence, consider the Gold Red if you lean towards a more balanced experience, while the Jelly is a great choice if you crave a heavier sound and an ultra-smooth action.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Gold Red Linear

$5.00

$3.28 per 10

Learn more

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more