Gateron Jupiter Red vs. HMX Twilight

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the HMX Twilight can greatly affect your typing experience. The Jupiter Red, renowned for its smooth and creamy keystrokes, features a medium-heavy actuation with a single-stage spring that delivers a seamless and consistent feel. This switch’s high-precision molds and softer backlight effects make it an attractive option for users who appreciate a polished and silky typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight boasts an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, contributing to a quieter sound profile while retaining the characteristic clackiness of HMX switches, which can be appealing for gamers and typists alike who enjoy a tactile feedback without excessive noise. Both switches cater to different preferences, with Jupiter Reds favoring a buttery smooth experience and Twilights offering a delicate balance between sound and travel. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

HMX Twilight Linear

$2.80 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the HMX Twilight, notable differences emerge, particularly in their top housings. The Jupiter Red features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer characteristics that contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's translucency enhances its visual appeal, especially when used with RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination through the switch. In contrast, the HMX Twilight utilizes a nylon top housing, a more traditional material that absorbs sound rather than projecting it. This leads to a deeper, fuller sound that is generally perceived as warmer and rounder. As such, while the Jupiter Red's sound is more resonant and clear, the Twilight offers a softer auditory experience, reflective of the distinct characteristics inherent to each housing material.

Both switches incorporate nylon in their bottom housings, which is shared between the two. This commonality means that, regardless of the differing properties of the top housings, the bottom housing material will contribute significantly to the overall sound and feel of each switch. Nylon is known for its capacity to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Given that the bottom housing has a more pronounced influence on the bottom-out sound, users of both switches can expect a more muted auditory response when the key is fully depressed, regardless of the differing experiences offered by the top housings. Thus, while the top housing materials diverge in their auditory contributions, the shared nylon bottom housing aligns their characteristics in this respect.

In practice, this means that users might appreciate the Gateron Jupiter Red for its bright and punchy sound due to the polycarbonate top, particularly in typing scenarios that benefit from a crisper response. Conversely, the HMX Twilight may be favored by those who prefer a richer, more subdued sound derived from its nylon top. Both switches maintain a sense of balance due to their common bottom housings, ensuring that the fundamental typing experience remains similar despite the variance in the top housing materials. In essence, while the tactile and auditory nuances may differ, both switches deliver a satisfying and pleasant typing experience grounded in the qualities of their nylon bottoms.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Jupiter Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the HMX Twilight features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Consequently, the Twilight is easier to press and may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, as it requires less effort to actuate. For those who prefer a more tactile and substantial typing experience, the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Jupiter Red may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for weight and feel during use.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This makes the Jupiter Red the longer option, offering a more traditional travel distance that may appeal to users who prefer a deeper key feel. In contrast, the Twilight's 3.85 mm travel distance falls into the category of shorter switches, which can provide faster response times preferred by gamers but may feel more abrupt to some users. Thus, the choice between these two switches ultimately hinges on personal preference: those seeking a cushioned, more pronounced typing experience might gravitate toward the Jupiter Red, while those prioritizing speed and responsiveness may favor the Twilight.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is characterized by a neutral auditory profile, making it versatile for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. Its moderate sound level allows it to cater to both beginners and seasoned typists alike, ensuring that it does not disrupt surroundings while still delivering a satisfactory typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switch features an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which contributes to a slightly quieter sound. This characteristic does not detract from its ability to hold onto the clacky essence typically associated with HMX switches. However, specific sound quality attributes of the Twilight are not detailed, leaving some aspects of its auditory experience unknown.

When considering feel, the Jupiter Red shines with a variety of descriptors, including polished, creamy, silky, and mild. These qualities reflect a well-rounded typing experience, featuring reduced friction and a smooth transition between key presses that promotes extended typing sessions with ease and comfort. The creamy sensation gives an impression of luxury, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. The mild nature of the switch makes it suitable for a wide range of users, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable for all. Unfortunately, the specific feel characteristics of the Twilight switch are not identified, so a direct comparison on this front is not possible.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Jupiter Red and HMX Twilight linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Red excels in smoothness and a balanced sound profile, making it an excellent choice for users desiring a seamless typing experience. While the Twilight provides a quieter sound thanks to its extended travel distance, more information is needed to fully evaluate its feel. Overall, those who appreciate the qualities of one switch may find a satisfying alternative in the other, particularly if they value smooth keystrokes and subtle sound profiles for both casual and professional use.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you appreciate a medium actuation force and enjoy a polished, creamy, and silky feel during your typing sessions, the Jupiter Red is a fantastic option. Its neutral sound profile makes it adaptable for both work and leisure, providing a smooth and consistent typing experience without being too intrusive. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a lower actuation force, the HMX Twilight is more suited to your needs. Its extended travel distance allows for a quieter keystroke, making it ideal for quieter environments, while still maintaining a satisfying typing feel. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the desired typing feel, sound profile, and the context in which you'll be using your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more