Neo Lavender HE vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Sunset Yellow offers a fascinating exploration of user preferences and tactile experiences. The Neo Lavender HE, a hall effect switch, is celebrated for its clean, low sound profile, which pairs beautifully with Wooting keyboards, making it a standout mechanism for those who appreciate a quieter typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch boasts a rich and bassy sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles, lending a uniquely indulgent auditory experience that many users find satisfying. Its medium-weight feel caters to a broad audience, while features like the unique Ly stem and proprietary factory lube provide a distinct and polished typing experience characterized by a short travel distance and responsive actions. Both switches have their undeniable charm and usability, appealing to different types of typists based on sound preference and tactile feedback. 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
16mm single-stage spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, we observe significant differences that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Lavender HE utilizes a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its softer texture. This material provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its sound-absorbing qualities, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. Conversely, the Sunset Yellow employs a POM top housing, known for producing unique and pleasing sounds, although it also leans towards a deeper and more muted profile. While both switches create a rounded sound experience, the distinct materials contribute to divergent acoustic characteristics: the Lavender HE’s nylon promotes a warmer sound, while the Sunset Yellow's POM introduces a more refined complexity.
Diving deeper into the bottom housings, the Lavender HE carries the same nylon material, which further amplifies its deep sound profile akin to the top housing. This coherence between both housings ensures a consistent auditory experience during keypresses. The Sunset Yellow, with its POM bottom housing, shares a somewhat similar advantage but diverges in its sonic output by maintaining that unique sound profile independent from the top. While both switches showcase a deeper sound when bottoming out, the contrasting materials result in different acoustic textures, with the nylon's softness creating a more subdued thump compared to the POM's unique resonance.
Ultimately, the impact of housing materials between these two switches plays a crucial role in determining their overall sound output and key feel. For the Lavender HE, the uniformity of the nylon material in both the top and bottom affords a cohesive auditory profile that emphasizes warmth and depth. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow benefits from the interplay of POM in both housings, generating a distinct yet harmonious sound experience that is characterized by unique qualities in each layer. If you seek similar audible results from both switches, the Lavender may deliver a more rounded and soft sound, while the Sunset offers a refined depth, satisfying those who enjoy nuanced audio profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, we see some slight differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Neo Lavender HE has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it the lighter option overall. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow requires a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams and has a bottom out force of 51 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions might favor the Lavender HE, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel may lean towards the Sunset Yellow. Ultimately, both switches provide fairly similar experiences in terms of performance, but the Lavender HE offers a lighter feel, making it potentially more comfortable for longer use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Lavender HE has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Sunset Yellow measures at 3.2 mm. This means that the Sunset Yellow is the shorter option, providing quicker actuation that appeals to gamers seeking faster response times. Conversely, the Lavender HE's longer travel distance offers a heftier feel, which may be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to personal preference: if you favor responsiveness, the Sunset Yellow is the ideal pick, while the Lavender HE is better suited for those who appreciate more depth in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Neo Lavender HE comes in at $4.50, whereas the Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09.
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
The sound profile of the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch is characterized by its clean, low sound, setting it apart within the keyboard realm, particularly when paired with Wooting keyboards. This makes it less intrusive and potentially more suitable for professional environments or quieter settings. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offers a rich, bassy sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, providing a more indulgent audio experience. The deeper and more resonant qualities of the Sunset Yellow switch evoke a thocky sensation, with a luxurious auditory feedback that many users find satisfying. Ultimately, while both switches cater to different sound preferences, the Neo Lavender HE leans towards a subtle auditory profile, whereas the Sunset Yellow embraces a more robust and immersive sound experience.
When it comes to feel, the Neo Lavender HE switch display lacks specific descriptors to analyze its tactile characteristics fully. However, the Everglide Sunset Yellow excels with its smooth, creamy, and frictionless typing experience, which can be attributed to its unique Ly stem and proprietary lubrication method. The combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem offers responsive keypresses that many typists crave. The polished feel of the Sunset Yellow ensures a silky, effortless glide from key to key, making it highly appealing for those who prioritize a smooth typing experience. Without detailed information on the Lavender HE's tactile qualities, it remains challenging to directly compare its feel to that of the Sunset Yellow.
In conclusion, the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offer distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Lavender HE features a clean sound profile, making it ideal for quieter environments, while the Sunset Yellow promises a richer, thocky sound. In terms of feel, the Sunset Yellow shines with its creamy and frictionless typing sensation, although the Lavender HE’s qualities remain unspecified. Choosing between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding sound and feel, with each providing unique advantages suited to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch boils down to your personal preferences and typing experience. If you prioritize a lighter actuation force and a unique, clean sound—perfect for quieter environments or prolonged typing sessions—the Neo Lavender HE stands out as an excellent choice. Its compatibility with Wooting keyboards and hall effect technology also offers a distinct advantage for those seeking innovation in their typing experience. On the other hand, if you seek a richer, more indulgent sound profile that is diverse enough for both casual typing and gaming, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is your go-to. Its beautifully bassy and thocky sound, paired with a medium-light actuation force, ensures you never miss that pleasurable auditory feedback while still being suitable for a broad range of users. The creamy feel and responsive action of the Sunset Yellow make typing feel luxurious, which is essential for those who spend hours on their keyboards. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by whether you desire quiet efficiency or a satisfying an audibly engaging experience.
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