HMX Jelly vs. Bsun Light Sakura

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Jelly and the Bsun Light Sakura both represent popular options, each with its unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. The HMX Jelly is celebrated for its low-pitched, deep thocky sound signature, providing a satisfying auditory feedback that enthusiasts often crave. With an actuation force of just 42g, it offers a lightweight feel combined with a super smooth keystroke, making it an attractive choice for gamers and typists who appreciate tactile feedback. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura is designed with silent operation in mind, offering a quiet typing experience perfect for office environments or shared spaces. Its ultra-light feel makes it ideal for prolonged typing sessions, promoting comfort and reducing fatigue without the distraction of noise. Both switches excel in their own right, one favoring auditory satisfaction and the other prioritizing discretion and comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

HMX Jelly Linear

Bsun Light Sakura Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Jelly and the Bsun Light Sakura, we observe notable differences in the types of plastics used for both the top and bottom housings. The HMX Jelly features nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a classic choice known for its soft, absorbent qualities. This soft plastic creates a deeper, rounder sound profile that tends to muffle higher frequencies, resulting in a typing experience characterized by warmth and fullness. Conversely, the Bsun Light Sakura employs polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. As a stiffer plastic, polycarbonate is responsible for a sharper, clearer sound that emphasizes higher frequencies, offering a crisper typing experience with more pronounced auditory feedback.

The different materials lead to distinct sound profiles that directly influence the overall typing experience. With the Jelly’s nylon housing, the muted sound creates a more subdued auditory feedback, making it ideal for users who prefer a quieter typing experience without sharp, high-pitched notes. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Light Sakura enhances the clarity and brightness of each keystroke, catering to those who enjoy a more responsive and invigorating typing feel. Moreover, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for effective RGB lighting integration, while the Jelly’s opaque nylon does not offer the same visual appeal in illuminating keyboard designs.

Despite the differences in materials, both the HMX Jelly and the Bsun Light Sakura can still produce high-quality typing experiences. If you prefer a softer sound and feel, the Jelly’s nylon housing provides that comfort and warmth through both top and bottom. If you lean towards a sharper, more resonant experience, the Light Sakura delivers on that front with polycarbonate throughout. Ultimately, the unique qualities of each housing material contribute to a wide range of sound and tactile responses, allowing users to choose according to their preferences, whether they favor depth and soft resonance or clarity and brightness.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, we can see notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Jelly switch has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it light yet slightly heavier than the Light Sakura, which features an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. The Light Sakura is thus the lighter of the two options. Both switches are characterized by their relatively low actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to users who prefer a gentle typing experience, ideal for extended use during work or gaming. The difference in actuation forces may lead to variances in feel, with the Jelly providing a slightly more substantial response, while the Light Sakura may facilitate an even lighter touch.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, the HMX Jelly features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Bsun Light Sakura has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Jelly provides a slightly deeper keypress, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Light Sakura, with its shorter travel distance, supports quicker response times, making it potentially more suitable for gamers looking for increased speed and efficiency. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference: those favoring a deeper actuation will likely prefer the HMX Jelly, while those who appreciate a more rapid response may opt for the Bsun Light Sakura.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Jelly linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, which gives it a satisfying auditory feedback that some typists might find pleasing. This thocky quality can evoke a robust presence while typing, making it feel more engaging. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura switch has a specific focus on silence, designed to produce minimal sound during operation. This makes it well-suited for environments requiring discretion, such as offices or shared spaces. The quiet operation of the Light Sakura is complemented by other factors like the type of keyboard and keycaps used, which can influence sound output overall.

In terms of feel, the Jelly switch is notable for its super smooth action thanks to excellent factory lubrication, coupled with a lightweight 42g actuation force. This combination allows for rapid and effortless keystrokes, perfect for those who type quickly or engage in fast-paced gaming. On the other hand, the Light Sakura switch emphasizes an ultra-light tactile experience, making it particularly comfortable for extended typing sessions. Its focus on reducing fatigue can provide a significant benefit during long hours of use, ensuring that your hands remain relaxed without compromising typing efficiency.

Overall, both switches cater to specific preferences and usage scenarios. The HMX Jelly linear switch offers a satisfying auditory feedback paired with a smooth, lightweight feel, appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura excels in its quiet and comfortable operation, making it ideal for office settings and prolonged typing. Together, these switches reflect the versatility available in the world of mechanical keyboards, allowing users to select based on their priorities—whether it's sound, feel, or the overall typing experience they seek.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and typing environment. If you prefer a switch that delivers a satisfying sound with a deep thocky resonance while providing a smooth typing experience, the Jelly switch may be your best bet. Its slightly higher bottom-out force of 48 grams offers ample feedback, making it ideal for users who enjoy auditory satisfaction in their keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prioritize a more subtle typing experience for extended work sessions or need to maintain a quiet environment—such as in an office or shared space—the Light Sakura is the way to go. With its ultra-light actuation force of 43 grams and silent operation, this switch caters perfectly to those seeking a comfortable, fatigue-reducing feel that doesn't disrupt others. Ultimately, consider your usage scenario and personal preferences when deciding which switch aligns best with your typing style and environment.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Light Sakura Linear

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

Learn more