HMX Lucky vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the HMX Lucky and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lucky and Everglide Sakura Pink both offer unique experiences tailored to different typing preferences, despite both being categorized as linear switches. The HMX Lucky is celebrated for its softer, glittery nylon housings, providing a neutral yet deeply satisfying typing experience that appeals to those who appreciate a balanced feel under their fingers. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink stands out with an ultra-light 35g actuation force, making it ideal for delicate typists or those who prefer a feather-light touch. These switches mimic a gliding sensation, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience with a playfully poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap popping, which adds a charming auditory element to the typing process. While both switches offer a satisfying linear feel, they cater to different preferences in terms of weight and auditory feedback. 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
37g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Lucky and Everglide Sakura Pink switches utilize different materials for their housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Lucky features a nylon top and bottom housing designed to produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. The nylon's relatively softer nature allows it to absorb sound efficiently, creating a duller and rounder auditory experience. Conversely, the Sakura Pink utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which generates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer composition, which enhances the clarity and resonance, making it particularly well-suited for environments where RGB lighting is used, as its translucency allows for better light diffusion.
In analyzing how the housing materials affect user experience, the Lucky's nylon construction tends to provide a more muted response when typing, which some users might prefer for its less intrusive sound profile. This makes the Lucky an ideal choice for users seeking a quieter typing environment. Meanwhile, the Sakura Pink, with its polycarbonate housings, delivers an engaging auditory feedback that many enthusiasts appreciate for gaming or programming scenarios where clarity is essential. The contrast in sound perception between the two switches stems largely from the materials; while the nylon absorbs and softens sound, the polycarbonate amplifies and clarifies it.
Despite the differences in materials, both the HMX Lucky and the Everglide Sakura Pink can yield satisfying results based on individual preferences. For users who might enjoy the fuller sound profile the nylon provides but also desire some aspects of the clarity and resonance that polycarbonate delivers, they could find a balance in selecting one for specific use cases. However, it is important to note that when pressed, the impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced, and users can expect varying experiences based on which housing material they prefer. For example, someone using the Lucky may enjoy its softer feedback, while another person seeking a sharper auditory experience may gravitate toward the Sakura Pink.
Weight
The HMX Lucky linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch both exhibit relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. The Lucky switch has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, while the Sakura Pink features a slightly lighter actuation force of 35 grams but a slightly heavier bottom out force of 45 grams. In terms of weight, the Lucky switch is the heavier option when considering the bottom out force, while the Sakura Pink is lighter in terms of actuation force. Users seeking a gentle push feel may prefer the lighter Sakura Pink during quick keystrokes, whereas those wanting a touch more resistance at the bottom may appreciate the Lucky’s heavier feel. Overall, both switches provide a similar user experience, especially for those who favor lighter forces, though the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences regarding actuation and bottom out feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Lucky linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, the difference is quite clear. The Lucky switch features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Sakura Pink has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This indicates that the Lucky switch is the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times due to its reduced travel distance. Conversely, the Sakura Pink, with its longer 4 mm travel, may be preferable for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, providing a sense of depth with each keystroke. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your preference for either responsiveness or a more hearty keystroke feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lucky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lucky for $2.99.
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.
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 HMX Lucky linear switch is noted for its softer acoustic profile, promoting a discreet typing experience that allows users to engage without drawing excessive attention. While the exact sound character of the Lucky is not provided, the notable difference comes with the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, which offers a delightfully poppy auditory feedback reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. This lively and playful sound adds an element of fun to keyboard usage, though the Sakura Pinks are designed to be on the quieter side overall, characterized as muted. Keep in mind that sound can vary based on other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps, so individual experiences may differ.
When it comes to feel, the Lucky switch provides a neutral and satisfying typing experience that promotes comfort during longer typing sessions, helped by its lightweight design. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink is designed for effortless typing with its feather-light 35g actuation force, making it particularly suitable for delicate typists. The Sakura Pink switches possess a buttery, creamy sensation that creates a silky smooth contact with each keystroke, giving a frictionless operation throughout. This unique combination of easy-to-press response and the seamless feeling ensures minimally fatigued fingers, making it an attractive choice for extensive use.
In summary, while the HMX Lucky switch provides a softer sound and a neutral typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch takes things up a notch with its poppy sounds and a uniquely smooth and light feel. Both options cater to different preferences, but if you enjoy a quieter environment with satisfying performance, you can't go wrong with either choice. Ultimately, your selection should consider the balance of auditory and tactile qualities that align with your keyboarding experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the HMX Lucky linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch ultimately comes down to your typing preferences and the experience you desire from your mechanical keyboard. If you seek a neutral yet satisfying typing experience with a slightly snappier feedback, the HMX Lucky, with its light 43-gram bottom out force and glittery nylon housings, may be the ideal choice for you. Its smooth actuation can support a blend of gaming and typing tasks, making it versatile across various applications. On the other hand, if you have a delicate touch and prefer an ultra-light, effortless typing style, the Everglide Sakura Pink with its feather-light 35-gram actuation force and buttery-smooth characteristics stands out. This switch is especially well-suited for those who value a quieter operation with a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, which can make your keystrokes feel enjoyable and playful. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you prefer a neutral typing feel with a touch more engagement or a soft, gliding action that makes typing feel almost weightless.
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