Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. HMX Twilight

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, understanding the differences between options can greatly enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Jupiter Banana, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its distinctive feel and feedback, boasting high-precision molds that produce a polished, high-pitched, creamy, and resonant typing sensation. With its two-stage springs, it ensures a robust return and a consistent tactile experience, making it ideal for users who enjoy the satisfying bump of feedback during typing. In contrast, the HMX Twilight, a linear switch, excels in providing a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke with a generous 3.85mm travel distance. This switch delivers a quieter sound profile while still embodying the signature clacky characteristics of HMX switches, making it an appealing choice for those who prioritize a seamless typing experience without tactile noise. Ultimately, both switches cater to different typing preferences: the Jupiter Banana for those seeking tactile engagement and the Twilight for those who prefer a smoother action. 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

Gateron Jupiter Banana Tactile

HMX Twilight Linear

$2.80 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Jupiter Banana and the HMX Twilight switches showcase distinct housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Jupiter Banana integrates a polycarbonate top housing that is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, which enhances resonance and clarity in sound when typing. Additionally, its translucency makes it an excellent choice for users who utilize RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination that accentuates the aesthetic of the switch. In contrast, the Twilight employs a nylon top housing, a classic material that generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The inherent softness of nylon enables it to absorb sound, resulting in a more subdued and rounded auditory experience when typing. This fundamental difference in top housing materials shows that while both switches can provide unique auditory sensations, they cater to varying preferences among users.

The bottom housings of the two switches present an interesting comparison as well. Both the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the HMX Twilight utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which contributes to a deeper, rounder sound profile across both switches. As nylon is known for its sound-absorbing properties, this will create a consistent typing feel in terms of sound dampening upon bottoming out. Consequently, regardless of the distinctions in top housing materials, the shared nylon bottom housing means that both switches will provide a comforting closure sound when pressed down, making for a satisfying tactile experience.

Ultimately, the amalgamation of different housing materials fosters unique auditory experiences while still yielding some similarities. While the Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top housing results in a brighter and crisper sound, the nylon bottom housing provides a fuller acoustic presence, creating a balanced performance. Conversely, the Twilight’s construction, with nylon in both top and bottom housings, delivers a consistent sound profile that is deep and rounded. Users will likely find that, despite their differences, there’s an overlap in the tactile experience due to the nylon materials employed in the bottom housings of both switches, resulting in a somewhat uniform bottom-out feel that enriches the enjoyment of typing on either switch.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch to the HMX Twilight linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Jupiter Banana features an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 69 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the HMX Twilight is significantly lighter, boasting an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch will find the Twilight more suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less force to actuate. On the other hand, the heavier Jupiter Banana may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, providing a distinct tactile feedback with a firmer push. Thus, while the Gateron Jupiter Banana offers a more resistant feel, the HMX Twilight caters to those who favor comfort and ease during extended use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, the differences are notable. The Jupiter Banana features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Twilight has a longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This makes the Jupiter Banana the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers or those seeking rapid response times. In contrast, the HMX Twilight's longer travel distance could be more suitable for users who prefer a more pronounced, tactile feedback while typing, as it offers a greater depth. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your preferences for responsiveness versus a more hearty key feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch stands out with its high-pitched and resonant characteristics. It produces a sharp and crisp auditory feedback that appeals to those who prefer a more pronounced and lively sound profile while typing. This high-pitched sound can provide an immersive experience, especially in scenarios where each keystroke feels significant. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch is noted for its quieter operation, likely due to its extended travel distance of 3.85mm. While the Twilight maintains the clacky traits the HMX brand is known for, it may not offer the same level of auditory sharpness as the Jupiter Banana. Keep in mind, however, that the overall sound produced can also depend on the keyboard's build and keycap materials.

Regarding feel, the Jupiter Banana switches are acclaimed for their polished and creamy typing experience. The smooth, refined finish created by high-quality materials and factory lubing leads to an effortlessly pleasant tactile interaction, allowing fingers to glide over the keys with minimal resistance. This buttery sensation enhances the act of typing, making it feel luxurious and satisfying. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switch's feel profile is unknown, leaving a gap in comparison for this aspect. However, if the Twilight offers a quality feel, it may still provide a satisfying typing experience, but without the specific descriptors that characterize the Jupiter Banana.

In summary, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch delivers a distinct advantage in both sound and feel, offering a high-pitched, resonant auditory feedback along with a polished, creamy typing experience. The HMX Twilight linear switch may appeal to those seeking quieter operation, but lacks detailed information about its sound and feel—making it hard to definitively compare. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will hinge on personal preferences, particularly the desired auditory experience and typing sensation, with the Jupiter Banana providing a more defined profile in these areas.

Conclusion

To sum up, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences in typing experience and intended use. If you favor a more tactile and pronounced feedback during your typing sessions, especially if you enjoy the high-pitched, resonant sound that comes with each keystroke, the Jupiter Banana is likely the better match for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 69 grams caters well to those who prefer a more substantial feel while typing, making it ideal for tasks that require precision, such as coding or data entry. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter, smoother typing experience with a quieter keystroke, the HMX Twilight linear switch would be your go-to. With a bottom out force of just 50 grams and an extended travel distance, it offers a sleek, effortless typing feel that’s perfect for long typing sessions, gaming, or even casual browsing. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you appreciate tactile feedback with an acoustically engaging experience or if you prefer a fluid, quieter action with less resistance.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Banana Tactile

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more