HMX Gravel vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the HMX Gravel and the Gateron Weightlessness can significantly affect your typing experience. The HMX Gravel, with its linear design, is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined feel, catering to those who prefer a light and effortless key press. This makes it an ideal option for fast-paced gaming or long typing sessions, where a responsive action can enhance overall performance. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness offers a tactile switch experience, featuring a moderate tactile bump that provides feedback with each keystroke while maintaining a balanced sound profile. This responsiveness paired with the tactile feedback is well-suited for typists who appreciate a more deliberate typing rhythm. Both switches have their unique appeal, depending on whether you prioritize smoothness or tactile sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The HMX Gravel keyboard switch features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Gateron Weightlessness utilizes a nylon top housing. The difference in materials significantly impacts their sound profiles. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound that resonates clearly when the key is pressed. This quality is particularly enhanced if the switch features clear housing, making it an ideal choice for those who want to accentuate RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Weightlessness produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, which absorbs sound rather than amplifies it. As a result, while the Gravel switch provides a crisper auditory feedback, the Weightlessness offers a more subdued and rounded sound experience.
Looking at the bottom housings of both switches, both the Gravel and Weightlessness share nylon as the material. This commonality results in a similar sound profile produced when the key is bottomed out. The nylon bottom housing contributes depth and fullness to the tactile response, absorbing sound and creating a pleasant experience for typists and gamers alike. Since both housings are made from nylon, users will find that the sound and feel are consistent across both switches when they are pressed down, ensuring a uniform experience at the point of impact. This reinforces the notion that despite the differences in top housing materials, both switches manage to maintain a harmonious interaction thanks to their nylon bottoms.
In sum, the contrasting top housing materials between the HMX Gravel and the Gateron Weightlessness lead to unique sound profiles during use. While the Gravel's polycarbonate top produces a sharper sound, the Weightlessness' nylon top offers a deeper auditory experience. However, the consistency in using nylon for the bottom housings means users will feel a similar impact when actuating both switches. Consequently, while a player may notice distinct sounds and aesthetic qualities due to the differing top housings, the tactile feedback when bottoming out each switch will feel notably similar. This combination of contrasts and similarities showcases how the housing materials integrate to define the overall user experience for each switch.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch to the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, we observe some notable differences in their actuation forces. The Gravel switch features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lightweight option that is desirable for prolonged typing and gaming sessions due to its lower resistance. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, promoting a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch remains unknown, meaning we cannot directly compare this aspect to the Gravel's defined bottom out force. Consequently, while both switches provide distinct tactile experiences, the Gravel is the lighter choice for users seeking reduced force for extended use, whereas the Weightlessness may appeal to those who prefer a firmer feel in their typing.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Gravel a better choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced depth when pressing keys, as its longer travel distance provides a more substantial feel. On the other hand, the Weightlessness, with its shorter travel distance, may be better suited for gamers seeking quicker response times, as it allows for faster actuation. While both switches are designed to cater to varying preferences, the Gravel is ideal for those wanting a deeper keypress experience, whereas the Weightlessness might appeal to those who prefer a more immediate response at the cost of some depth. Thus, if you value responsiveness, the Gateron Weightlessness will deliver quicker actuation, although both switches will generally offer similar performance in terms of travel mechanics.
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 Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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
The HMX Gravel linear switch is recognized for its exceptional smoothness in sound, which is typically characterized by a silent typing experience. This can make it an ideal choice for users who prefer a quieter workspace or enjoy a more subtle auditory feedback from their typing. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch offers a balanced sound profile that complements its tactile feedback, producing a sound that’s responsive without being overly loud or disruptive. This combination allows for a pleasant auditory experience, making it suitable for both casual and professional environments, although the specific sound characteristics of the Gravel switch remain unknown.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its medium-light actuation force, providing a responsive and effortless typing experience that feels smooth and refined. This switch excels at delivering a consistently nice tactile experience over prolonged typing sessions. Meanwhile, the Gateron Weightlessness switch offers a subtle to moderate tactile feel that engages the user without being overly pronounced, making each keystroke satisfyingly noticeable yet still comfortable for extended use. While both switches deliver a unique experience, the Gravel focuses purely on a linear smoothness, whereas the Weightlessness integrates a tactile bump into its actuation.
In summary, both the HMX Gravel and Gateron Weightlessness switches cater to different preferences. The Gravel excels with its smooth, quiet typing experience ideal for minimal distractions, while the Weightlessness offers a more tactile feedback with a balanced sound, appealing to those who enjoy a hint of engagement in their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice between these two will depend on whether you prioritize smoothness and silence or tactile feedback and sound balance in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you favor a smooth and effortless typing experience with a medium-light actuation force, the Gravel will serve you well, especially if you enjoy fluid keystrokes without any tactile feedback. This switch is ideal for fast typists and gamers alike who value speed and shallowness over feedback. Conversely, if you appreciate a tactile response that provides feedback without being overly pronounced, the Weightlessness switch could be the better option for you. Its subtle to moderate tactile feel can enhance your typing rhythm, making it particularly appealing for those who love a hint of touch while typing or gaming, granting a satisfying yet balanced typing experience. Ultimately, consider your typing style and preferences when making your decision; whether you desire the silky smoothness of the Gravel or the gentle bump of the Weightlessness, either switch can elevate your keyboard experience depending on what you value more in feel and feedback.
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