Neo Lavender HE vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Sakura Pink offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Neo Lavender HE, renowned for its clean and low sound, employs magnetic Hall effect technology, providing a silent yet responsive feel ideal for those who appreciate a quieter typing experience. It is particularly compatible with Wooting keyboards, catering to users who prioritize innovative technology. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink is celebrated for its feather-light 35g actuation force, making it perfect for delicate typists. With a gliding sensation and frictionless operation, it delivers an effortless typing experience that’s both buttery and poppy in sound, reminiscent of bursting bubble wrap. While the Lavender HE appeals to users seeking a muted keypress with advanced tech features, the Sakura Pink entices with its playful auditory feedback and tactile ease. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
16mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Neo Lavender HE and Everglide Sakura Pink switches employ different materials for their housing, which significantly affects their sound profiles and user experience. The Lavender HE utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. The softer nature of nylon not only contributes to a duller sound, but it also creates a more muted bottom-out feel, making typing on these switches a more subdued experience. This cohesiveness in material adds to the consistency of the sound and feel of the switch, catering to users who prefer a quieter typing environment.
In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches use polycarbonate for both their top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer material, produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. This rigidity allows for more resonance, elevating the auditory feedback with each keystroke. The translucent quality of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of keyboards equipped with these switches. The resulting sound experience is notably brighter compared to the Lavender HE, providing a more dynamic and lively feel when typing.
While each switch offers a distinct sound profile due to its housing materials, the structural differences also mean that they bring unique qualities to the table. The sound produced when pressing a key on the Lavender HE will feel softer and more rounded, whereas the Sakura Pink will resonate with more clarity and brightness. However, both switches deliver satisfaction throughout the typing experience; they simply do so in different ways. For users who appreciate sound variety, switching between these two types can yield diverse auditory experiences, while those seeking similar results might gravitate towards switches with identical materials, allowing for a consistent performance throughout.
Weight
When comparing the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, both options are relatively lightweight, but the Sakura Pink has a slightly lighter actuation and bottom out force. The Lavender HE boasts an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sakura Pink features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This makes the Sakura Pink the lighter switch overall, which may appeal to users looking for less resistance during extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Lavender HE provides a stronger push feel, which might satisfy those who prefer a more substantial feedback. Despite their differences, the close metrics of actuation and bottom out forces indicate that both switches can provide a relatively similar typing experience, though the Sakura Pink is better suited for those who value a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there is a slight difference worth noting. The Lavender HE has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Sakura Pink measures at 4 mm. This makes the Neo Lavender HE the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to its more responsive feel when pressed. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink, with its longer travel distance, can provide a more substantial typing experience that might be preferred by those who enjoy keystrokes with deeper feedback. Overall, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference: if you're looking for quick and responsive keystrokes, the Neo Lavender HE will suit you better, whereas those who favor a more tactile and pronounced actuation might prefer the Sakura Pink.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
The Neo Lavender HE comes in at $4.50 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 Neo Lavender HE switch offers a clean and low sound profile, providing a more subdued auditory experience that sets it apart from other magnetic switches often used in mechanical keyboards. This makes it suitable for quiet environments or for users who prefer minimal distraction from keyboard acoustics. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches deliver a delightfully poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, which adds a playful and engaging element to the typing experience. While the Lavender HE’s sound is understated, the Sakura Pinks create a lively atmosphere, each keystroke being audible yet not overly loud.
When considering the feel of each switch, the Neo Lavender HE switch's specific tactile characteristics are not explicitly defined, but its design with Wooting keyboards indicates a smooth operation typical of hall effect technology. The Everglide Sakura Pink, however, is characterized by a buttery and creamy typing experience that makes gliding over the keys effortless. With a feather-light actuation force of 35g, the Sakura Pink’s frictionless feel provides an incredibly smooth and delicate typing sensation, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. This combination of low resistance and seamless actuation in the Sakura Pink contrasts with the less defined yet reliable performance of the Lavender HE.
In conclusion, the Neo Lavender HE and Everglide Sakura Pink switches present unique auditory and tactile experiences suitable for different preferences. While the Lavender HE emphasizes a clean and low sound with an unspecified feel, the Sakura Pink excites with its playful poppy sound and luxurious buttery smoothness. Users seeking a quieter and more subdued keyboard may opt for the Lavender HE, while those who enjoy a light and playful typing experience may find the Sakura Pink to be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, as each switch caters to different typing styles and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a clean, low sound and are looking for a switch that pairs well with Wooting keyboards, the Lavender HE could be your best option. It's particularly suitable for those who appreciate a slightly heavier feel at a bottom-out force of 50 grams, offering a tactile and consistent typing experience that might align well with both gaming and general typing. On the other hand, if you favor a more playful, buttery typing experience with a lighter bottom-out force of 45 grams, the Sakura Pink is likely the better choice for you. Its feather-light actuation force of 35 grams makes it an excellent option for delicate typists seeking a frictionless operation and minimal fatigue during long sessions. Essentially, if you enjoy a smooth, poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap and a typing experience that feels easy and fluid, the Sakura Pink will enhance your keyboarding joy. Ultimately, consider the characteristics that resonate most with you, and let that guide your decision.
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