Gateron Mini i vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mini i and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the Gateron Mini i and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to note their unique characteristics. The Mini i offers a subtle entrance into office-centric keyboard technology, boasting gentle tactility and a fairly muted sound profile. Ideal for long hours of comfortable typing in a quiet professional setting, these switches are categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', 'Subtle', and 'Stepped'. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches provide a sharp tactile feel with a strong downstroke and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. Offering a premium typing experience with a distinctive and impactful feel, these switches are categorized as 'Accented' and 'Resonant'. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique advantages, 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
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Mini i and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilize different housing materials for their switches. The Mini i features a nylon top and bottom housing, known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) opts for a PBT top and bottom housing, offering a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. While the Mini i prioritizes a rounder sound with its nylon housing, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) aims for a more balanced auditory experience with its PBT housing.
When it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, the qualities of the housing material play a significant role in the overall sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Gateron Mini i contributes to a deeper and fuller sound upon bottoming out due to its sound-absorbing properties. On the other hand, the PBT bottom housing of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) maintains a neutral sound profile without being overly crisp or dull. While both bottom housings influence the tactile feedback when pressing down on the switches, they offer slightly different sound experiences to the users.
In contrast, the top housing of the switches primarily affects the sound produced when releasing a key. The nylon top housing of the Gateron Mini i creates a rounder and duller sound upon key release, contrasting the neutral sound profile of the PBT top housing on the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade). Despite the differences in sound characteristics between the two switches, both housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and can provide users with satisfying results based on their sound preferences.
Weight
The Gateron Mini i tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In comparison, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. While both switches have distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, users can expect similar results in terms of performance based on their individual preferences for lighter or heavier key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces to achieve the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Mini i tactile switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, it is clear that the Mini i has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Moyu Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Mini i's shorter travel distance may appeal to those looking for a more responsive typing experience, especially gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Moyu Black's longer travel distance may offer a more satisfying depth to the key press for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Gateron Mini i comes in at $6.00 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, the Gateron Mini i offers a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between actuation force requirement and sound level, making it suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a resonant experience with a higher-pitched and immersive sound profile, offering a clean and sharp auditory experience. The choice between the two switches in terms of sound would depend on personal preference and the surrounding environment.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Mini i is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, subtle, and stepped - providing a lively yet gentle typing experience suitable for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is characterized by an accented and sharp tactile feel, offering a high feedback intensity with a distinct and strong tactile bump. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches provide a unique typing experience with a medium-heavy feel and an impactful bottom-out sensation.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron Mini i and Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mini i provides a more balanced and versatile sound profile and a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a sharp and resonant sound experience and an accented and sharp tactile feel. Choosing between the two switches would come down to individual preference for sound and typing feel, as both switches deliver a satisfying and unique typing experience within their respective qualities.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Mini i tactile switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a lightweight and bouncy feel with a neutral sound profile, the Gateron Mini i would be a great choice for long typing sessions in an office setting. On the other hand, if you seek a medium-heavy switch with a sharp and accented tactile feedback, along with a resonant sound profile, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be more suitable for a premium and impactful typing experience. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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