Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is celebrated for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, delivering a lively auditory feedback that many typists and gamers find exhilarating. Additionally, its silky keystroke feels seamless, while the innovative light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, making it a striking choice for those who enjoy vibrant keyboard aesthetics. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g excels in creating a serene typing environment, with its whisper-quiet operation that evokes the soothing sound of raindrops. With a balanced bottom out force of 53g, these switches provide a light yet tactile feel that appeals to users prioritizing a calm and focused typing experience. Choosing between a lively and responsive switch or a quiet and smooth one can significantly impact your typing enjoyment and performance. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
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 - 53g exhibit distinct characteristics in their top housing materials, which significantly influence the overall auditory experience of each switch. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. The clarity afforded by polycarbonate enhances the switch's response to key releases, making the sound more resonant and pronounced. In contrast, the Silent Sakura employs a nylon top housing, which is softer and more absorbent than polycarbonate. This leads to a deeper, rounder sound profile, contributing to a more muted acoustic experience when typing, especially during the release phase when the keys are lifted.
In terms of their bottom housing, both switches incorporate polycarbonate materials, which means they will share similar sonic qualities when it comes to the “bottom-out” sound. The polycarbonate bottom housing in both models ensures a crisp and clear sound profile, allowing their bottoming-out impact to resonate effectively regardless of the corresponding top housing material. Thus, while the top housings diverge in characteristics, the shared polycarbonate base provides a unifying touchpoint in both switches that enables a high-pitched and clear sound when the keys are pressed fully down.
The differing materials for the top housings ultimately create varying typing experiences between the two switches. Users of the Lightning Silver V3 can expect a pronounced and defined auditory response with each keypress, while those using the Silent Sakura will likely enjoy a mellower, quieter typing experience due to the nylon’s sound absorption properties. However, since both switches possess polycarbonate bottom housings, they will share a similar acoustic output when bottoming out, thereby allowing for a component of consistency amid their overall differences. This blend of materials suggests that users can choose between different tactile and auditory sensations while still benefiting from a familiar sound profile during the action of bottoming out.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, both exhibit unique characteristics in terms of 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 switch that provides a noticeable resistance as you press down. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. This means that the Silent Sakura is generally easier to activate, making it potentially more comfortable for prolonged typing sessions. The heavier feel of the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, while the lighter Silent Sakura could be advantageous for users seeking to minimize finger fatigue during extended use. Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, the choices cater to distinct preferences in typing style and comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, there is a notable difference. The Lightning Silver V3 has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Sakura - 53g has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Lightning Silver V3 the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to its more responsive feel. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura, with its 4 mm travel distance, provides a deeper and more substantial feel that some users prefer for a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference: if you favor a snappier action, the Lightning Silver V3 may be more suitable, whereas those who enjoy a more pronounced depth will likely gravitate towards the Silent Sakura.
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 - 53g 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches provide a clacky and high-pitched audio profile. This crisp and bright sound is satisfying for those who enjoy an audible confirmation of each keystroke, allowing the typing experience to be both lively and engaging. In stark contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches are designed for a whisper-quiet operation, reminiscent of gentle raindrops. This makes the Silent Sakura an excellent choice for environments where noise is a concern, offering a serene typing sound that may appeal to users seeking a subtle auditory experience. However, while sound profiles can vary based on other factors like the keyboard and keycap materials, the distinct characteristics of these two switches cater to different sound preferences.
In terms of feel, the Lightning Silver V3 boasts a silky typing experience, providing an exceptionally smooth action that minimizes resistance during keystrokes. This feature enhances not only speed but also the overall comfort during extended typing sessions, making it a favorite among typists who seek fluidity in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 53g switches do not have defined tactile feedback detailed in the available information, leaving some uncertainty regarding their general feel. However, their balanced 53g bottom-out force suggests a design intended for satisfying yet light keystrokes, potentially aligning with those who prefer a more subtle approach.
In conclusion, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g hinges largely on one’s preferences for sound and feel. The Lightning Silver V3 excels in providing an engaging and audible typing experience with a silky touch, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of audio feedback. In contrast, the Silent Sakura offers a serene typing environment while boasting a satisfying keystroke force, though it's not as well-defined in tactile qualities. Ultimately, both switches serve unique typing experiences that cater to different user needs, ensuring that whether you prefer auditory engagement or peaceful operation, there is an option available to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you enjoy a more vibrant and engaging typing experience with a pronounced clacky sound—perfect for gaming or simply making your keystrokes feel more satisfying—the Lightning Silver V3 is an excellent choice. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and silky smooth feel enhance both performance and enjoyment, while the light diffuser adds a stunning visual element to your setup. On the other hand, if you're looking for a quieter and subtler typing experience, perhaps for a shared workspace or when you need to minimize disturbances, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g is ideal. With a lighter bottom-out force of 53 grams, it provides a softer touch that still feels satisfying without the audible feedback associated with sharper switch types. Ultimately, both switches cater to different needs—so assess your priorities, whether it’s acoustics, feel, or the overall effectiveness in your specific usage scenario, and select accordingly.
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