HMX Jelly vs. Bsun Taichi

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the options between two popular linear switches: the HMX Jelly and the Bsun Taichi. The Jelly switch is celebrated for its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, providing a satisfying auditory experience along with its super smooth actuation due to excellent factory lubrication and a lightweight 42g actuation force. This makes the Jelly an appealing choice for those who appreciate a smooth, quiet typing experience with a rich sound. In contrast, the Bsun Taichi switch offers a more enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, thanks to its long-pole stem, extended springs, and walled stems, which contribute to both unparalleled smoothness and stability. This switch caters to users who prefer a distinct sound profile and a more pronounced tactile feedback during their keystrokes. While both switches offer unique advantages, 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

Bsun Taichi Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$2.75

$2.25 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Jelly and the Bsun Taichi switches utilize different materials for their top housings, which significantly influences their overall sound profiles. The Jelly employs nylon for its top housing, a material known for its softer characteristics. This softness allows nylon to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. In contrast, the Taichi features polycarbonate for its top housing, which is a stiffer plastic that generates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The transparency of polycarbonate also enhances the switch's aesthetic appeal, particularly when RGB lighting is involved, allowing light to diffuse beautifully through the switch. This stark contrast in housing materials means the Jelly will offer a warmer sound, while the Taichi will deliver a sharper and more resonant audio feedback when typing.

When examining the bottom housing of both switches, it is interesting to note that both the HMX Jelly and Bsun Taichi use nylon for their bottom housings, which helps to unify their characteristics despite the differences in their top housings. As a classic switch housing material, nylon contributes to the deeper and fuller sound profile typical of switches utilizing it. This means that when actuating the switches, users will experience a rich and satisfying bottom-out sound from both switches, regardless of the top housing material. The impact of the bottom housing in both switches reinforces the warm profile established by the nylon's sound-absorbing qualities, creating a consistent typing experience.

Overall, while the HMX Jelly and the Bsun Taichi contrast in the choice of top housing materials—with nylon providing a warmer tone and polycarbonate offering a sharper sound—they share similarities in their bottom housings. This shared nylon material allows for a deeper bottom-out sound, contributing to a cohesive tactile experience across both switches. Therefore, despite their differences, both the Jelly and Taichi create unique sound profiles that can be appreciated by various typing enthusiasts, depending on their preference for either a muted or resonant auditory experience. The interplay of different materials between the top and bottom housings results in a nuanced and versatile user experience in both cases.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch, notable distinctions emerge. The Jelly switch requires an actuation force of 42 grams and features a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a relatively lightweight option that facilitates longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. In contrast, the Taichi switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 40 grams; however, its bottom out force remains unknown, leaving a gap in the comparison. For users who appreciate a stronger tactile feedback, the Jelly's bottom out force of 48 grams provides a more substantial feel, whereas the Taichi may be perceived as less robust without the bottom out force data. Overall, the HMX Jelly is the heavier switch due to its higher bottom out force, while the Bsun Taichi is the lighter option, making it better suited for users seeking less strain during prolonged use. For those who enjoy a lighter touch, both switches ultimately offer similar actuation experiences, albeit with the Jelly providing a more defined bottoming out sensation.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch, the Jelly measures at 3.8 mm, while the Taichi comes in slightly shorter at 3.6 mm. This means that if you opt for the Jelly, you'll experience a deeper press, which can provide a more substantial tactile feedback for those who prefer a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Taichi, with its shorter travel distance, caters to gamers and users who prioritize quick response times and prefer a snappier feel. This difference in travel distance highlights a key consideration for users: if you favor a more responsive experience, the Taichi may be more suited to your needs, whereas the Jelly could be preferable if you enjoy a more traditional, hearty keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Jelly linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched, deep thocky sound, which can create a satisfying auditory experience during typing. Many users appreciate this sound profile for its understated yet robust presence, making it well-suited for various environments. On the other hand, the Bsun Taichi linear switch delivers a much higher-pitched bottom-out sound that comes from its long-pole stem and extended springs. This sound is often described as enchanting, adding a unique acoustic quality that stands apart from more traditional switches. Both sound profiles are also influenced by factors like the keyboard build and keycap choice, so the final auditory experience can vary significantly.

When it comes to feel, the Jelly switch is celebrated for its remarkable smoothness, attributed to its excellent factory lubrication and lightweight actuation force of 42g. This combination makes typing quick and effortless, appealing to users who prioritize a seamless and responsive experience. In contrast, the Taichi switch emphasizes unparalleled smoothness and stability, owing to its walled stems and engineered design. While both switches aim for a smooth experience, the Jelly might offer a lighter touch, whereas the Taichi leans more toward providing a stable yet slightly different tactile sensation.

In conclusion, both the HMX Jelly and Bsun Taichi linear switches offer unique auditory and tactile qualities that cater to different user preferences. The Jelly excels with its deep thocky sound and lightweight, smooth typing feel, while the Taichi captivates with its high-pitched sound and enhanced stability. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you value a low-pitched auditory experience and a lighter touch or if you prefer a higher-pitched sound coupled with greater stability in your keystrokes.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch, your choice should hinge on your personal preferences in sound and feel, as well as the context in which you'll be using them. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with a deep, thocky sound signature, the Jelly switch would be an excellent choice, particularly for casual typing sessions or gaming where ease of keystrokes and smoothness is essential. Its lightweight nature and low-pitched sound can create a comfortable atmosphere for long periods of use. On the other hand, if you value a high-pitched bottom-out sound and seek a switch that offers a unique and enchanting auditory experience, the Taichi switch could be the right fit for you, especially if you're looking for a switch that provides excellent stability and a premium feel due to its long-pole stem and extended springs. Ultimately, considering whether you prioritize lighter tactile feedback or a distinct acoustic profile will guide you in making the ideal choice for your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Taichi Linear

$2.75

$2.25 per 10

Learn more