Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3, known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, provides a lively and engaging typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy tactile feedback and a vibrant atmosphere, especially enhanced by its light diffuser that showcases RGB lighting beautifully. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g prioritizes a serene and discreet typing experience, featuring an ultra-light 43g bottom-out force that makes it ideal for light typists or those working in shared environments where noise is a concern. While both switches are linear and promise smooth keystrokes, their sound profiles and tactile feedback cater to different user needs. 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
48g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g utilize distinctly different materials for their top housings which leads to contrasting sound characteristics. The Lightning Silver V3's top housing is made of polycarbonate, which is known for its stiffness and translucency. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, enhancing the overall acoustic experience, especially when complemented by RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a nylon top housing that possesses a softer texture, absorbing more sound and creating a deeper, fuller auditory experience. Thus, while one switch delivers clarity and brightness through polycarbonate, the other provides a mellow and rounded sound signature via nylon, appealing to different tastes among typists and gamers.
Turning to the bottom housings, both switches exhibit similarities as they both incorporate polycarbonate material. The Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing mirrors its top, reinforcing the sharp and crisp sound profile that characterizes the overall performance of the switch. The Silent Sakura - 43g, despite the contrast in the top housing material, also employs a polycarbonate bottom, which maintains that pronounced clarity and resonance. This commonality suggests that, when pressed, both switches will provide a similar bottom-out sound due to the uniform elasticity and acoustic properties of polycarbonate. Therefore, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the tactile feedback and auditory response, ensuring that both products yield comparable results in this aspect.
When considering the impact of these materials on user experience, it’s worth noting that each switch emphasizes different qualities. The unique combination of nylon and polycarbonate in the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g allows it to excel in sound dampening, creating a softer typing experience ideal for those who prefer a quieter environment. Conversely, the consistent polycarbonate usage in the Lightning Silver V3 accentuates clarity and resonance, making it appealing for situations where auditory feedback is desired. Ultimately, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g showcase different characteristics in their top housings, the commonality in their bottom housings leads to similar experiences in terms of bottom-out sound and tactile response. This interplay highlights how materials can significantly shape the typing experience in versatile ways.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, it is clear that they cater to different preferences in typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces. The Lightning Silver V3 features an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-strength option that provides a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, appealing to those who favor a gentler touch, perfect for extended typing or gaming sessions. Thus, the Lightning Silver V3 is the heavier switch overall, while the Silent Sakura - 43g is lighter. This difference means that users who prioritize a softer keystroke and less resistance will find the Silent Sakura more suitable, whereas those seeking a more robust feel may prefer the Lightning Silver V3.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, we find a noticeable difference between the two. The Lightning Silver V3 has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it a shorter option that caters to gamers and those seeking quicker response times. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a travel distance of 4 mm, aligning more closely with traditional preferences for deeper key presses. This longer distance offers a more substantial feel, which some users prefer for a more deliberate typing experience. Ultimately, if you're looking for a switch that provides a more responsive touch, the Lightning Silver V3 is the better choice, whereas the Silent Sakura would be ideal for those who appreciate a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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
The sound profile of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched tone, which produces a sharp, crisp sound that resonates through the atmosphere when pressed. This is perfect for those who appreciate a lively auditory feedback while typing, enhancing the overall experience with a bright, percussive quality. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch is engineered for a whisper-quiet experience, aiming for a tranquil typing environment reminiscent of gentle raindrops. Although the specific sound details of the Silent Sakura are not provided, it is clear that those who prioritize a noiseless operation might prefer this switch over the more vibrant auditory output of the Lightning Silver V3.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 impresses with a silky typing experience, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke that minimizes resistance and maximizes comfort. This makes it an excellent choice for users seeking a seamless typing action without any distractions. On the other hand, the feel of the Silent Sakura - 43g switches is not explicitly mentioned, leaving its tactile characteristics open to interpretation. However, given its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, one can speculate that the Silent Sakura may also provide a lightly resistant but pleasant typing feel, appealing to those who enjoy a softer press.
In summary, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches cater to users who enjoy an engaging, high-pitched sound coupled with a smooth tactile experience, making them ideal for lively typing sessions. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches prioritize a quiet, serene ambiance with potential for a comfortable typing feel, suitable for less intense typing environments. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and typing experience, as each has its unique benefits catering to distinct typing styles.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switches largely depends on your personal typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a medium actuation force with a more pronounced sound profile, the Lightning Silver V3’s clacky, high-pitched characteristics will resonate well with you. This switch is excellent for those who appreciate auditory feedback and a smooth typing experience, particularly if your setup can accommodate the brighter sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter work or gaming environment and require a lighter touch, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is the ideal choice for you. With its whisper-quiet operation and ultra-light bottom out force, it allows for a serene experience while typing, whether you are in a shared space or simply enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the kind of experience you seek, balancing sound, feel, and your unique typing style.
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