HMX Jelly vs. Jerrzi Violet

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Jelly and the Jerrzi Violet exemplify two distinct designs that cater to different typing preferences. The Jelly, a linear switch, is celebrated for its low-pitched and thocky sound profile, combined with a super smooth feel thanks to its excellent factory lubrication and a lightweight actuation force of just 42g. This results in a seamless, uninterrupted typing experience that's ideal for gamers and typists who prefer a quieter environment. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet is a tactile switch, designed to provide a gentle bump during actuation that enhances feedback without overwhelming the user. With its neutral sound signature and pleasant tactility, the Violet offers a balanced experience that many users find satisfying for both typing and gaming. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the smoothness and silence of the Jelly or the engaging tactility of the Violet, your choice depends on personal priorities. 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

Jerrzi Violet Tactile

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Jelly and Jerrzi Violet switches utilize different materials for their top housing, which significantly influences their overall sound profiles. The Jelly's top housing is crafted from nylon, a material known for its ability to absorb sound more effectively due to its softer composition. This helps produce a deeper and fuller auditory experience when typing, resulting in a more muted sound that emphasizes the comfort and softness of each keystroke. In contrast, the Violet features a polycarbonate top housing, which is much stiffer and lends itself to a sharper, more resonant sound. This distinction not only enhances the auditory clarity but also influences the visual appeal, as polycarbonate's translucency showcases RGB lighting more effectively than nylon.

When examining the bottom housings, both the HMX Jelly and Jerrzi Violet utilize nylon, which compensates for the differences found in their top housings. Because nylon is a softer plastic, it provides a consistent deep sound profile, ensuring that both switches deliver a similar typing experience at the base level. The nylon material contributes to a rounded and fuller sound when the key bottoms out, making both switches feel more akin when pressed. This means that even though the top housing varies, the same nylon material on the bottom allows users to experience a familiar deep sound signature across both switches.

Overall, the combination of nylon in the bottom housings of both switches ensures that users can anticipate a consistent auditory and tactile experience regardless of the differences in top housing materials. While the Jelly benefits from the muted warmth of the nylon top, creating a more subdued atmosphere, the Violet offers clarity and resonance thanks to its polycarbonate top. Thus, although sound profiles differ significantly due to the materials used in the top housings, the shared nylon composition of the bottoms allows for a degree of overlap, ensuring that both switches cater to users seeking both depth and clarity in their typing experience.

Weight

The HMX Jelly linear switch features a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom-out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience that is ideal for extended use or long gaming sessions. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force at 45 grams, but its bottom-out force remains unknown. Because of the Jelly's lighter actuation force, typists seeking comfort and ease during long periods of use might gravitate towards it. However, users who enjoy a more substantial push feel may find the slightly heavier actuation force of the Violet more appealing. Overall, while both switches offer different sensations, the clear difference lies in the Jelly's lighter overall force compared to the Violet, which may cater to different user preferences in typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, we see a slight difference: the Jelly has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, whereas the Violet comes in at 3.7 mm. While both distances are relatively close, the Jelly offers a longer travel distance by just 0.1 mm. This subtle difference might influence user preference; those who favor a more pronounced feel with hearty depth may lean towards the HMX Jelly switch, while gamers or users seeking quicker response times might prefer the shorter travel distance of the Jerrzi Violet. Ultimately, the choice will depend on whether the user values slight depth or responsiveness in their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Jelly linear switch offers a low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature that is satisfying during use, making it particularly enjoyable for those who favor an acoustic experience while typing or gaming. The sound profile is significant for those looking for a more pronounced auditory feedback, which can enhance the overall engagement with the keyboard. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch presents a neutral sound signature. This means that while it may not have the same pronounced auditory character as the Jelly, its sound remains balanced, making it suitable for a variety of settings—whether at home or in a professional environment—without being intrusive or distracting.

When considering the feel of the switches, the Jelly switch is known for a super smooth actuation, thanks to its excellent factory lubrication combined with a lightweight actuation force of 42g. This smoothness contributes to a seamless typing experience, especially favored by those who prefer linear switches that deliver uninterrupted keystrokes. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet switch is characterized by its gentle, stepped tactile feedback. This means the Violet provides a discernible bump at the actuation point, creating a mild but noticeable tactile response that can help users with typing accuracy and pleasure. The difference in feel—smooth and uninterrupted versus mild tactile bumps—can cater to different personal preferences, depending on how much feedback a typist desires.

In summary, both the HMX Jelly and Jerrzi Violet switches deliver unique and enjoyable experiences suited for different users. The Jelly’s deep thocky sound and smooth actuation can appeal to those who prioritize acoustic satisfaction and a fluid keystroke, while the Violet's neutral sound and pleasing tactile feedback can attract users seeking a balanced typing experience with a hint of tactile touch. Ultimately, your choice may hinge upon whether you prefer a clear auditory signature and smoothness or a more tactile, yet quieter interaction.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and use case. If you value a light touch and seek a smooth and silent typing experience, the HMX Jelly is likely your best bet. Its low-pitched thock sound and smooth action, complemented by a lightweight 42g actuation force, make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy fast-paced typing, gaming, or even late-night work without disturbing others. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle tactile feedback coupled with a balanced sound profile, the Jerrzi Violet will serve you well. The Violet’s smooth actuation and pleasingly poppy tactility provide a satisfying typing experience that is especially suited for daily use in various environments, from home offices to shared workspaces. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you are looking for a more linear and smooth experience or a tactile response that adds a touch of engagement to your typing.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Jerrzi Violet Tactile

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

Learn more