HMX Gravel vs. Everglide Sakura Pink

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Gravel and the Everglide Sakura Pink offer distinct yet appealing qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, featuring a medium-light actuation force that ensures a responsive experience while still holding a satisfying degree of tactile feedback. This makes it an ideal choice for enthusiasts seeking both comfort and precision in their typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink captures attention with its super light actuation force of just 35g, making it perfect for delicate typists who prefer an effortlessly fluid keystroke. These switches not only provide a gliding typing experience, but also deliver a playful auditory feedback reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, adding an element of fun to keyboard sessions. While both switches prioritize smoothness and ease of use, their differing actuation forces and sound profiles cater to varied user preferences. 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

Everglide Sakura Pink Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Gravel and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches share a commonality in their top housing, both utilizing polycarbonate to achieve distinct sound profiles and aesthetic benefits. Polycarbonate, known for its rigidity, contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when a key is activated. This material's translucency also makes it advantageous for illuminating RGB lighting, as it allows the light to pass through and create vibrant visual effects. Consequently, users can expect a similar auditory response and visual appeal from both switches' top housings thanks to their identical material choice.

However, the comparison diverges when examining the bottom housings of the two switches. The HMX Gravel features a nylon bottom housing, which imparts a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer characteristics. This material absorbs more sound than stiffer plastics, producing a rounder and more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing, replicating the sharpness and clarity characteristic of its top housing. This disparity means that while both switches might produce crisp sounds when pressed down, the Gravel's nylon bottom offers a softer bottom-out sensation compared to the Sakuars Pink's more consistent sharper feedback.

The interplay of these materials ultimately shapes the overall experience of using each switch. The HMX Gravel, with its nylon bottom housing, may deliver a richer and more subdued typing experience, making it suitable for users preferring a less aggressive acoustic signature. Meanwhile, the Everglide Sakura Pink, with both top and bottom housings made of polycarbonate, emphasizes a uniform sound profile that is bright and resonant throughout. When pressed, the response of the Sakura Pink may feel more consistent, while the Gravel’s design offers a contrast between the tactile feedback of the key press and the sound produced on bottoming out. Thus, while they both utilize polycarbonate for their tops and present a visually appealing RGB experience, the key distinctions in their bottom housing materials create unique auditory and tactile experiences.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, we see notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Gravel switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option for those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience. In contrast, the Sakura Pink switch features an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is even lighter than the Gravel. This means the Sakura Pink requires less force to trigger a keystroke, catering to users who prioritize comfort during extended typing or gaming sessions. Both switches fall under the category of lighter switches, but the Sakura Pink is the lighter of the two, making it the preferable choice for those seeking effortless keystrokes. The bottom out force of both switches is relatively close, with the Gravel being heavier, thus providing a slightly more substantial feel upon bottoming out compared to the Sakura Pink.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, we can see a clear distinction between the two. The Gravel switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sakura Pink has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Sakura Pink offers a longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, giving a hearty depth to their typing. In contrast, the shorter 3.5 mm travel of the Gravel switch can provide quicker responsiveness, making it a suitable choice for gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, if you're looking for a switch that feels more abrupt and immediate, the Gravel will serve you well; however, if you prefer a more traditional and deeper experience, the Sakura Pink is the better option.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Gravel switch remains somewhat unspecified, although you can expect it to have a characteristic that is more subdued when compared to louder, clackier switches. This could make it suitable for environments where noise is a concern. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is described as having a muted sound profile, which produces a softer and quieter experience, minimizing the typical noise of mechanical keyboards. Their delightful poppy sound adds a unique and playful character to the typing experience, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap. Overall, while the Gravel's sound quality is not explicitly defined, it likely aligns more closely with a neutral or subdued profile, whereas the Sakura Pink offers a softer yet animated auditory experience.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Gravel switch is characterized by its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience. With a medium-light actuation force, it provides a responsive yet soft push, making it accessible for typists seeking ease of use. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink offers an incredibly light actuation force, resulting in a typing experience that is not only buttery but also creamy and frictionless. The ease with which these switches can be pressed significantly reduces finger fatigue and allows for prolonged typing sessions without discomfort. While both switches yield a smooth and effortless experience, the Sakura Pink leans toward an even lighter, more delicate touch.

In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer smooth, enjoyable typing experiences, but they diverge in various qualities. The Gravel provides a refined yet subdued auditory presence with a medium-light actuation that remains effective for most typists. In comparison, the Sakura Pink delights with a muted sound signature and an ultra-light touch that caters to more delicate typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and feel; however, both switches are primed to deliver an exceptional typing experience with their unique characteristics.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, your personal typing preferences and needs will largely determine your choice. If you value an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience along with a slightly heavier feel, the HMX Gravel switch is an excellent option. Its 50-gram bottom-out force allows for responsive, effortless typing and can be ideal for both gaming and typing tasks, particularly if you prefer a bit more feedback as you type. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that prioritizes lightness and an exceptionally smooth motion, you would likely gravitate towards the Everglide Sakura Pink. With a mere 45-gram bottom-out force and a delightful poppy sound, these switches are perfect for delicate typists who appreciate a lightweight keypress and a creamy, frictionless feel. Moreover, the Sakura Pinks are particularly suitable for those who type for long periods, as they minimize finger fatigue due to their easy-to-press nature. In essence, choose the Gravel for a more controlled, refined experience, or opt for the Sakura Pink for a playful and ultra-light typing sensation.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sakura Pink Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more