Gateron Jupiter Red vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Red and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Jupiter Red and HMX Swift are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, offering different characteristics for users to consider. The Jupiter Red provides a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke with a medium-heavy actuation, making it ideal for those seeking a consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift stands out with a deeper sound profile and a silky smoothness, paired with a delicate 42g actuation force. While the Jupiter Red offers a polished and creamy feel, the Swift is known for being clacky and easy-to-press. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the HMX Swift both offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Swift's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. While the top housings differ in material, both switches feature nylon bottom housings, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile for typing.
In terms of feel and sound, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the overall experience of pressing down on a key. With nylon bottom housings in both the Jupiter Red and the Swift, typists can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out. However, the impact of the top housing material is felt when releasing a key, with polycarbonate creating a sharper sound upon key release compared to the rounder sound produced by nylon. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique housing materials.
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the HMX Swift, it is clear that each material brings its own set of characteristics to the switches. While polycarbonate in the Jupiter Red top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile ideal for RGB lighting, the nylon top housing of the Swift creates a deeper and fuller sound by absorbing more sound. The nylon bottom housings of both switches contribute to a similar deep and full sound profile upon key presses, highlighting the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Jupiter Red and the Swift will depend on personal preference for sound and feel.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch have notable differences. The Jupiter Red has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Swift's 42 grams, making it slightly heavier. Additionally, the Jupiter Red has a higher bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Swift's 50 grams, indicating that it requires more force to fully press the key. This means that the Jupiter Red provides a more substantial typing experience compared to the lighter feel of the Swift. Both switches offer a medium actuation force, but the Jupiter Red is heavier overall, making it suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. The Swift, on the other hand, is lighter and would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. The difference between the two is minimal, with the Jupiter Red being slightly longer. In terms of comparing and contrasting their travel distances, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances for mechanical switches. Gamers may prefer the slightly shorter travel distance of the Swift for faster response times, while others who prefer a more substantial travel distance may opt for the Jupiter Red. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, with the Swift being slightly shorter than the Jupiter Red.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
The Gateron Jupiter Red comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is noted for its neutral sound profile, which offers a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various typing purposes. On the other hand, the HMX Swift linear switch is described as having a clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. It's essential to consider that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is recognized for its polished, creamy, and silky typing experience, offering reduced friction, smooth key travel, and an overall refined finish. Additionally, it provides a mild typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Conversely, the HMX Swift linear switch is characterized by its easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy typing feel, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Overall, while both switches offer smooth and seamless keystrokes, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is more focused on providing a refined and polished typing experience with a moderate sound profile. In contrast, the HMX Swift linear switch emphasizes a combination of light actuation force and a deeper sound profile for a comfortable and responsive typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for typing sound, feel, and actuation force.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium actuation force with a smooth and refined typing experience, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a deeper sound profile with easy-to-press keys, the HMX Swift linear switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the type of sound and feel you prefer in a keyboard switch. Considering these factors will help you choose the switch that best enhances your typing experience.
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