HMX Jelly vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow

Overview

When considering the right mechanical keyboard switch for your needs, the HMX Jelly and the Everglide Sunset Yellow stand out among linear options, each with its own unique characteristics. The HMX Jelly is renowned for its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound that provides a satisfying auditory feedback while typing, combined with its lightweight 42g actuation force, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a smooth and effortless keystroke. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow dazzles with its Creamsicle hues and captivating sound profile, reminiscent of mahjong tiles, delivering a rich, bassy typing experience. With a medium-weight actuation, these switches cater to a broad range of users, and their unique Ly stem design and factory lube yield a distinct glide that enhances both comfort and responsiveness. While both switches offer enticing features for typists and gamers alike, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. 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 Jelly Linear

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.09 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Jelly and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches use different materials for their top and bottom housings, which significantly influences their sound profiles and tactile sensations. The Jelly employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a classic choice known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller acoustic experience. This characteristic provides a duller and rounder sound that many typists find satisfying. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow opts for POM for both its top and bottom housings, which produces a unique sound profile that is also deep but leans towards a more muted character. Thus, while both switches offer sound qualities that are rounded and satisfying, the Jelly's nylon provides a more pronounced dampening effect compared to the slightly crisper yet muted sound of the POM material in the Sunset Yellow.

When considering the impacts of the top and bottom housings, the differences in materials become even more pronounced. For the HMX Jelly, both the top and bottom nylon housings contribute equally to creating a harmonized sound profile, delivering a cohesive experience whether typing or bottoming out. The full-bodied sound experience results from the synergy between the softer nylon materials, which complements the feedback during key presses. Conversely, the Everglide Sunset Yellow's POM materials, while still resulting in a deep sound, introduce a subtle differentiation between the top and bottom housing effects. The top POM housing influences the acoustics upon key release while the bottom POM housing primarily impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. Hence, a typist might notice more distinctly piano-like tones with the Jelly due to the characteristics of nylon compared to the somewhat sharper yet still muted tones of the Sunset Yellow.

Despite these differences, enthusiasts may achieve similar results in terms of satisfactory typing experiences across both switch types. The grounded sound and tactile feedback will be largely pleasing in both, as the Jelly's nylon and the Sunset Yellow's POM both serve a purpose of creating enjoyable typing acoustics. A user transitioning from one switch to another may appreciate how each embraces the fundamental sound signature of mechanical switches—whether it’s the full richness of the Jelly or the subtly nuanced depth of the Sunset Yellow. Ultimately, while the materials lead to slight variations in sound and feel, they both cater to typists seeking a refined and engaging experience.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The HMX Jelly features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming due to its reduced effort required for keystrokes. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer feel. While both switches provide a relatively light to medium-light force, the Jelly is the lighter option overall, which may appeal to users seeking ease and comfort during prolonged use. The Sunset Yellow, being heavier, may better satisfy those who enjoy a bit more resistance in their keystrokes.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there is a notable difference between the two. The HMX Jelly boasts a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that the Jelly provides a more substantial depth when pressed, which may appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Sunset Yellow makes it potentially advantageous for gamers seeking quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for depth versus responsiveness; the Jelly is better for those who enjoy a deeper feel, whereas the Sunset Yellow suits those who favor a snappier mechanism.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profiles of the HMX Jelly and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches each offer unique auditory experiences that cater to different preferences. The Jelly switch produces a low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, creating a satisfying and substantial feedback during typing that feels grounded and substantial. This contrasts with the Sunset Yellow, which delivers a more intricate sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, characterized by its rich, bassy quality. While both switches provide a deeper sound experience, the Jelly leans towards a thocky thud that evokes a sense of solidity, whereas the Sunset Yellow has a more playful yet indulgent resonance, making them distinct choices depending on whether one favors a more traditional thock or a lighter, playful sound.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Jelly switch is renowned for its exceptional smoothness, largely attributed to its factory lube, coupled with a lightweight 42g actuation force that allows for an effortless typing experience. Conversely, the Everglide Sunset Yellow excels in providing a creamy, frictionless tactile feedback that enables a silky smooth glide with every keystroke. The integration of a unique Ly stem and proprietary lube contributes to this sensation, ensuring that typing feels fluid and highly responsive. While the Jelly is well-regarded for its overall smoothness, the Sunset Yellow offers additional layers of tactile comfort through its polished surfaces, making each switch feel luxurious in its own right.

In conclusion, both the HMX Jelly and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches offer compelling qualities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, albeit with distinct sound and feel characteristics. The Jelly's deep, thocky sound and lightweight, smooth feel render it a great option for those who enjoy a solid auditory feedback combined with effortless actuation. The Sunset Yellow, on the other hand, captivates users with its rich, bassy sound and creamy, frictionless typing experience, appealing to those who prioritize a more nuanced auditory enjoyment and a luxurious tactile sensation. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences regarding sound and feel, as each brings a unique flavor to your typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch primarily hinges on your typing preferences and the overall experience you seek. If you favor a lighter touch and crave a deep, thocky sound signature, the Jelly switch is an excellent choice; its low actuation force of 42 grams and smoothness from factory lube make it incredibly appealing for lengthy typing sessions, where a less tactile engagement can prevent fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly more robust feel and a richer auditory experience, the Sunset Yellow will serve you well. With a bottom-out force of 51 grams, it strikes a balance that caters to a broader range of users, and its creamy, frictionless typing feel, coupled with a captivating, bassy sound profile, enhances your engagement with each keystroke. Ultimately, aligning your selection with your desired tactile feedback and sound is key: the Jelly for lighter, smoother sounds and action; the Sunset Yellow for a more pronounced audio experience and satisfying tactile response.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.09 per 10

Learn more