HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience, and two popular options are the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Spring Breeze. The HMX Gravel, a linear switch, is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who prefer a responsive, effortless experience. With a medium-light actuation force, it caters to those who value silent operation and a soft touch while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze is a clicky switch that offers distinctive auditory and tactile feedback, which many typists find satisfying and engaging. This switch is perfect for users who enjoy the sound of each keystroke and prefer a more pronounced tactile response, allowing for a more interactive typing experience. While both switches have their unique advantages, it’s essential to consider personal preferences to determine which switch aligns best with your 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
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Spring Breeze, the differences in their top housing materials stand out prominently. The Gravel features a polycarbonate top that lends itself to creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffer composition allows for a more resonant and clear acoustic quality, which can really enhance the experience, especially when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Spring Breeze employs a nylon top housing, a material known for imparting a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, yielding a duller, rounder acoustic delivery. Thus, while the Gravel may offer a more vibrant and brilliant typing experience, the Spring Breeze opts for a warmer and more muted sound, demonstrating how material choice significantly impacts auditory feedback.
Despite the contrasting materials in their top housings, both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, which emphasizes a deeper and more rounded sound profile. The nylon used in the bottom housing contributes to the overall tactile experience, as it absorbs sound and enhances the keyboard's acoustic characteristics. Because each switch combines these materials, users may find that the overall auditory experience is somewhat balanced despite the differences in top housing materials. For those who prefer a more pronounced bottom-out sound and feel, the nylon bottom housing in both the Gravel and Spring Breeze serves a similar purpose, providing consistency across these switches.
Ultimately, the integration of different materials in the top and bottom housings of the HMX Gravel and Outemu Spring Breeze leads to distinct sound profiles while maintaining a notable cohesion. The polycarbonate of the Gravel’s top housing aligns with producing bright highs, while the bottom housing of both switches offers a warm, profound baseline due to nylon’s sound-absorbing capabilities. As a result, users can expect a unique tactile experience based on the distinct top housing but will appreciate a comparable depth of sound from the common nylon bottom housing. This amalgamation illustrates how material variability contributes to a rich and diverse typing experience, blending sharper tones with warmer depths.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, notable differences arise in both their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gravel switch features a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, compared to the lighter 40 grams of the Spring Breeze, making it a more substantial option for those who appreciate a firmer push. However, when it comes to their bottom out forces, the Gravel reaches 50 grams, while the Spring Breeze has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that overall, the Outemu Spring Breeze presents a heavier typing experience as it requires more force to fully bottom out than the Gravel switch. For users who prefer a switch that requires less force for less fatigue during extended use, the HMX Gravel would be the better option, while those seeking a more robust feel may lean towards the Spring Breeze.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, the Gravel switch will engage slightly quicker, appealing to those who prefer a more responsive feel, often favored by gamers. In contrast, the longer travel distance of the Spring Breeze provides a more substantial feedback experience, which some users may find more satisfying and less abrupt. Therefore, if you prioritize rapid response times, the HMX Gravel is the better choice, while the Outemu Spring Breeze is ideal for those who enjoy a deeper, more pronounced keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
The Outemu Spring Breeze comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Gravel linear switch has a notably smooth operation that offers a quieter typing experience compared to other switch types, allowing for a more subtle auditory backdrop while typing. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch produces a distinct and audible click with every keypress, making it suitable for users who enjoy a pronounced sound that signals a successful keystroke. The differences in sound come down to the fundamental switch design—while the Gravel is designed for subtlety, the Spring Breeze caters to those who appreciate feedback through auditory cues.
In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and a medium-light actuation force that provides an effortless typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions without fatigue. It allows for quick, responsive keystrokes that enthusiasts often seek. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze delivers a tactile bump at the actuation point, providing clear feedback that many typists find satisfying. However, this added resistance can be more forceful compared to the Gravel, catering to those who prefer tactile feedback when typing.
In summary, the HMX Gravel linear switch offers a smooth, quiet typing experience with a lighter feel, which is perfect for those who prioritize fluidity in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch delivers a more tactile and audible typing experience, appealing to users who enjoy clear feedback with each press. Depending on your typing preferences—whether you lean towards a seamless experience or desire auditory and tactile engagement—each switch can provide a distinct experience that caters to different styles of typing.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch should be guided by your personal preferences and typing requirements. If you prioritize a smooth and refined typing experience that feels effortless, the Gravel switch is the way to go. Its light bottom-out force of 50 grams allows for quick, responsive keystrokes, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming where speed is crucial. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile feedback accompanied by an audible click, the Outemu Spring Breeze with its slightly heavier 55-gram actuation force could better suit your needs. This switch provides a medium-light resistance that can enhance the sensation of pressure as you type, offering a more engaging and satisfying interaction with your keyboard. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether you favor a seamless, smoother typing experience or a more pronounced tactile feedback while typing. Choose the Gravel for a whisper-quiet and fluid touch, or opt for the Spring Breeze if you delight in a rhythmic click and tactile feedback as you engage with your keyboard.
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