SP-Star Meteor White vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Meteor White and Haimu Neo White both offer unique characteristics worth exploring. The Meteor White is praised for its gentle linear feel, easy actuation, and soft sound profile, making it a great choice for those seeking a subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the Neo White stands out for its medium weight, reduced total travel, and smooth actuation thanks to the rare Ly stem, providing a satisfying typing feel. While the Meteor White is categorized as neutral, mild, thocky, polished, and the Neo White as mild, neutral, both switches have their own strengths. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
57g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor White and the Haimu Neo White differ significantly in terms of the top housing. The Meteor White features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Neo White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile with its stiffer plastic construction. The aesthetic differences are also notable, with the translucent polycarbonate top housing of the Neo White being ideal for showcasing RGB lighting.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, both the Meteor White and the Neo White share the same nylon material. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. The similarities in the bottom housing between the two switches ensure a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel, despite the differences in their top housing materials.
Overall, the choice between the SP-Star Meteor White and the Haimu Neo White ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics. The nylon top housing of the Meteor White provides a duller and rounder sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Neo White offers a crisper and resonant sound. Both switches, however, deliver a consistent typing experience with their shared nylon bottom housing, ensuring that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel regardless of their top housing material preference.
Weight
The SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch both have a similar actuation force of None grams, meaning that they will provide a consistent typing experience in terms of sensitivity. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Meteor White is lighter at 57 grams compared to the Neo White at 58 grams. This slight difference may be noticeable to those who prefer a slightly heavier typing feel. In general, the Meteor White would be more suitable for users who enjoy a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the Neo White would cater to individuals who appreciate a bit more resistance for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is 4 mm, while the Haimu Neo White linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Meteor White provides a more traditional travel distance, while the Neo White offers a shallower feel. Gamers may prefer the Neo White for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while others may find the Meteor White more comfortable for its deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
The Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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
In terms of sound, both the SP-Star Meteor White and the Haimu Neo White switches offer a neutral sound profile, meaning they have a moderate sound that works well in various settings. The Meteor White switch also has a thocky sound profile, giving a deep and satisfying sound when pressed, while the Neo White switch maintains the neutral sound across its usage. The actual sound produced by the switches will also depend on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, providing a gentle and approachable feel to most users. The Meteor White switch is noted for its polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. The Neo White switch, on the other hand, stands out with its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, giving a distinctive typing feel that is smooth and satisfying.
Overall, both the SP-Star Meteor White and the Haimu Neo White switches offer similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Meteor White switch may provide a slightly softer and more subdued experience, both switches fall within the moderate range in terms of sound and feel, making them versatile options for a wide range of users and preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two will come down to personal preference for specific attributes such as sound profile, key feel, and any additional features that may appeal to the user.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a gentle and soft typing experience with a pitter-patter sound profile, the Meteor White switch would be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier typing feel with a smooth actuation and distinctive typing experience, the Neo White switch would be the better choice. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience, making them suitable for various users and purposes. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound profile.
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