HMX Gravel vs. KTT MoonRosa

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between different options that offer unique experiences and features. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, making it a top choice for those who prefer a responsive and effortless typing experience with its medium-light actuation force. This switch leans slightly towards the lighter side, providing a satisfying tactile performance that enhances overall typing speed and comfort. On the other hand, the KTT MoonRosa distinguishes itself with its all-POM construction, delivering a buttery smooth experience alongside a mild, low-pitched sound signature that is easy on the ears. This switch is particularly appealing for those seeking a quiet and smooth keystroke while maintaining an effortless press. While both switches cater to linear switch enthusiasts, they each offer distinct characteristics—smoothness and responsiveness in the Gravel versus the subtle acoustics and construction quality of the MoonRosa. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Gravel Linear

KTT MoonRosa Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$4.88 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Gravel and KTT MoonRosa utilize distinct materials for their top housing, resulting in contrasting sound profiles and tactile responses. The Gravel features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and translucence. This rigidity contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, offering a clearly resonant audio experience. Its translucence also enhances RGB lighting effects, making the Gravel a visually appealing choice for those who value aesthetics alongside performance. In contrast, the MoonRosa opts for a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound. POM, while still plastic, provides a softer, yet unique auditory experience that veers towards a bassier tone, likely making the feel of the keypress warmer and less pronounced as the polycarbonate would.

When considering the bottom housings, both switches utilize materials that share some commonalities. The Gravel employs a nylon bottom housing which is considered a classic material within the mechanical keyboard community, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. Similarly, the MoonRosa features a POM bottom housing, which is touted for its unique sound profile that is also on the deeper side. This suggests that despite the differing top housing materials, the MoonRosa may absorb some of the sharper tones typically associated with higher-pitched sound, resulting in a more subdued auditory experience similar to that of the Gravel. The key takeaway is that both switches ultimately achieve a harmonious muted sound through their bottom housing materials, enriching the overall auditory experience, albeit through different construction approaches.

In terms of performance, the interplay of the top and bottom housings leads to unique user experiences for both switches. While the Gravel's polycarbonate top provides a clearer exit sound upon release, the nylon bottom dampens the impact, creating a balance that highlights both sharpness and depth. In contrast, the MoonRosa's POM top and bottom housing combination reinforces a consistently muted character throughout the key press, minimizing the variance between bottom-out and release sounds. Ultimately, though the Gravel and MoonRosa harness different materials for their top housings, their respective bottom housings ensure that users will appreciate a satisfying, deeper audio profile. This illustrates how careful material pairings can yield comparable auditory results despite differences in construction, allowing enthusiasts to choose based on their preferred aesthetic and tactile feedback.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch to the KTT MoonRosa linear switch, we notice that both offer light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable options for those who prefer less resistance while typing or gaming. The Gravel features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the MoonRosa has lighter specifications with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Consequently, the MoonRosa is the lighter option overall, making it potentially more suitable for extended use without fatigue. The Gravel, being heavier, may cater to users who appreciate a more substantial feel in their typing experience. Thus, while both switches are designed to be light, the MoonRosa's lower forces could provide a softer touch, appealing to those who seek ease and lightness in their keystrokes.

Travel distance

Both the HMX Gravel linear switch and the KTT MoonRosa linear switch feature an identical travel distance of 3.5 mm, meaning that users will experience similar keypress sensations when using either switch. With the travel distance being the same, users can expect comparable actuation performance and feel, making either switch a good choice for those seeking a consistent typing experience. Overall, both the Gravel and MoonRosa switches provide a uniform distance from the top to the bottom, ensuring that users will not notice any difference in travel length during use.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the HMX Gravel switch's acoustic qualities are not explicitly described, leaving its auditory character somewhat ambiguous. However, the KTT MoonRosa switch is characterized by a low-pitched sound, which typically gives it a bass-heavy and mellow tone. This tonal quality often appeals to users seeking a quieter keyboard experience, as low-pitched switches tend to be less jarring and more pleasant in a shared workspace. Therefore, while the Gravel's sound is unknown, those who prefer a mellow auditory feedback might gravitate towards the MoonRosa.

In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switch is renowned for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, offering a medium-light actuation force that strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. This smoothness makes it an ideal choice for both typing and gaming, as it allows for quick, precise key presses without much effort. Conversely, the KTT MoonRosa switch provides a mild typing experience, which is approachable for a wide range of users. The easy-to-press nature of the MoonRosa, requiring minimal force to activate, enhances comfort during prolonged typing sessions. While both switches prioritize a comfortable feel, the Gravel offers a more refined experience, while the MoonRosa is tailored for those seeking a gentle and accommodating touch.

In summary, while the HMX Gravel and KTT MoonRosa switches each offer their own unique qualities, they both cater to users looking for a smooth and comfortable typing experience. The Gravel offers an unmistakably refined feel with its medium-light actuation and exceptional smoothness, whereas the MoonRosa presents a milder, easy-to-press profile with a pleasant low-pitched sound. While the sound quality of the Gravel remains unspecified, the choice between these two switches ultimately hinges on personal preferences: if a user prefers a more prominent typing experience, the Gravel may be the better choice, while the MoonRosa could serve those who appreciate a smoother, gentle option.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the KTT MoonRosa linear switch, consider what kind of typing experience you desire. If you prioritize a responsive yet smooth feel with a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, the Gravel switch is a fantastic choice, especially for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile experience while still keeping it light. The Gravel’s slight heaviness might provide a nice balance for users who engage in both gaming and typing, allowing for precise input without feeling overly cumbersome. Conversely, if you're seeking an exceptionally light touch with minimal resistance, the KTT MoonRosa switch, with its lower 45 grams bottom out force, is ideal, particularly for those who do a lot of typing over prolonged periods. With its all-POM construction, the MoonRosa offers that buttery smooth typing experience, perfect for an effortless and gentle feel that requires little effort, reducing finger fatigue. The low-pitched sound signature of the MoonRosa also adds to its appeal as a more subtle auditory experience. Ultimately, your choice should align with your ergonomic needs and sound preferences, ensuring that the switch you select enhances your overall typing or gaming experience.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

KTT MoonRosa Linear

$4.88 per 10

Learn more