HMX Lotus vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and typing style. The HMX Lotus, a linear switch, is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, offering a clacky and bouncy sensation that makes every keystroke feel lively and engaging. This switch is ideal for users who enjoy a tactile and dynamic typing experience, particularly those who appreciate the joy of a vibrant sound with each press. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch employs hall effect technology to deliver a smooth operation paired with a deeper sound profile, resulting in a balanced typing experience that is both satisfying and precise. This makes the Rice Pudding a great option for those who prioritize versatility and performance, especially given its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While both switches cater to different tastes—bouncy and resonant versus smooth and precise—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
45g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Rice Pudding, the most noticeable difference lies in their top housing materials. The Lotus features a nylon top housing, characterized by its softness and capacity to absorb sound. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, creating a more muted auditory experience that many users find satisfying. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and allows for a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This distinction means that users can expect a clearer and more resonant sound profile from the Rice Pudding, especially when paired with RGB lighting that enhances the aesthetic experience through its translucent material.
On the other hand, both the Lotus and the Rice Pudding share a nylon bottom housing. This commonality ensures that both switches produce a deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out. Nylon’s acoustic properties allow it to absorb sound effectively, delivering a rounder auditory feedback that complements the tactile experience of pressing the keys. Hence, while the two switches may exhibit contrasting sound characteristics due to their differing top housings, the nylon bottom housing harmonizes their performance in terms of bottom-out sound, providing a degree of continuity for users familiar with nylon switch designs.
Overall, the combination of materials in the two switches results in a nuanced typing experience. Users of the HMX Lotus may appreciate the softer, deeper sound profile afforded by the nylon housing, while Everglide Rice Pudding enthusiasts will enjoy the crisp and clear auditory feedback of polycarbonate. However, since both switches benefit from the sonic absorption of nylon in their bases, the critical differences will notably manifest when keys are released, leading to different acoustic experiences that cater to diverse preferences among typists. These distinctions illustrate the fascinating interplay between various materials and their impact on the overall sound and feel of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we observe notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Lotus switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Rice Pudding features a slightly lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This indicates that the Rice Pudding switch is the lighter option overall, being more suitable for long typing sessions or extended gaming, as it requires less force to actuate. In comparison, the Lotus switch, while still on the lighter side, offers a somewhat heavier feel, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Both switches have relatively close specifications, ensuring that users can achieve similar tactile responses, though the Rice Pudding would generally feel easier to press down.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch share the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on either key, users will experience an identical distance traveled, resulting in similar tactile feedback and responsiveness. Since both switches have equal travel distances, they promise to deliver comparable performance in terms of keypress feel and actuation, making them suitable options for those who prefer a consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 HMX Lotus switch is characterized by a bright and resonant tone, often described as clacky. This distinctive sound gives each keypress a crisp, percussive quality that many users find satisfying, creating an engaging auditory experience while typing. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is noted for delivering a deep sound, contributing to a more balanced acoustic profile during use. While the Lotus provides a prominent, lively auditory feedback, the Rice Pudding seems to offer a more subdued, rich sound. However, it’s important to note that the actual sound experience can vary significantly depending on the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch boasts a medium actuation force of 50g, which contributes to a remarkably bouncy sensation when pressed. Its construction lends a spring-like feedback, allowing for a lively and responsive typing experience. Users often describe this switch as feathery, meaning it requires minimal effort, which can be advantageous during long typing sessions to reduce finger fatigue. Additionally, the silky smoothness of the Lotus enhances its appeal, as it minimizes resistance throughout the keypress. On the other hand, the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switches is less specified, which leaves its exact tactile qualities more ambiguous; therefore, a direct comparison in this aspect isn’t fully conclusive.
In conclusion, both the HMX Lotus and Everglide Rice Pudding switches present unique auditory and tactile experiences that cater to differing preferences. The Lotus excels in providing a vibrant sound and a bouncy, smooth feel, appealing to users who enjoy a lively typing experience. The Rice Pudding, while lacking specific descriptors for its feel, offers versatility and compatibility with advanced keyboards, making it a notable choice for those seeking performance. With both switches catering to different aspects of user preference, one can expect to find joy in either switch depending on personal taste in sound and feel, though the Lotus clearly stands out with its defined qualities.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch largely depends on your typing and gaming preferences. If you favor a lively and engaging typing experience, the Lotus is an excellent option with its bouncy feel and bright, clacky sound. This switch can bring a certain joy to each keystroke, making it ideal for those who enjoy the tactile feedback and energetic response, particularly during gaming sessions or creative work that requires lots of typing. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth, balanced sound and a more precise typing experience, the Rice Pudding switches may be the better fit for you. Their deep sound and consistency offer a satisfying experience, especially for enthusiasts who value versatility and compatibility with innovative keyboards like those from Wooting. In summary, choose the Lotus for a fun, bouncy experience that energizes your workflow, while the Rice Pudding is your go-to for smooth operation and precision in both typing and gaming scenarios.
Mentioned in this article
