Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Cherry MX Black. The Moyu Black switch is best known for its sharp tactile feel and uses a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing to provide a premium typing experience. With a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, these switches offer a hypertactile sensation that is truly distinctive. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch, further perfected by Cherry, offers a classic textured smoothness with their new Hyperglide tooling. Typing on these switches results in a familiar deep sound profile that many enthusiasts appreciate. The Moyu Black switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Resonant', and 'Sharp', while the MX Black switch is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Textured', and 'Stiff'. Both switches have their unique advantages, providing satisfying typing experiences in their own way. 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
50g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Cherry MX Black switches differ in terms of sound profile and texture. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT top housing, while the MX Black switches utilize a nylon top housing. PBT is known for its neutral sound profile, offering a balance between crispness and dullness. On the other hand, the MX Black's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a rounder sound profile. Therefore, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch will provide a more neutral sound experience, while the Cherry MX Black will offer a deeper and fuller sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches use PBT and nylon materials for the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and Cherry MX Black, respectively. The PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) complements its top housing, providing a neutral sound profile similar to its overall switch experience. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Black contributes to a deeper and fuller sound output, aligning with its overall switch characteristics. While the textures may differ slightly due to the materials used, both bottom housings contribute to the overall sound profile of their respective switches.
When considering the overall impact of the housing materials, it is important to note that the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom housing. When pressing down on the switches, the bottom housing predominantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that the characteristics of the PBT bottom housing or the nylon bottom housing will be more prominent during key presses. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when letting go of a key. Therefore, whether using the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) or the Cherry MX Black, you can expect similar sound experiences when pressing the keys, but differences may arise when releasing them.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Moyu Black has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the MX Black's 60 grams. This means that the Moyu Black will require slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Moyu Black is slightly heavier at 67 grams compared to the MX Black's 80 grams. Both switches provide a medium to heavy typing experience, but the MX Black offers a slightly more substantial feel due to its heavier bottom out force.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Moyu Black may be the better option as it requires less force for both actuation and bottoming out. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue can be a concern. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience may prefer the MX Black. The heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a satisfying level of resistance that can enhance the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Moyu Black and MX Black switches have their differences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, they both offer a medium to heavy typing experience. The preference between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference, with the lighter Moyu Black offering a more effortless typing experience and the heavier MX Black providing a more substantial and satisfying feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will feel a consistent 4 mm distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) or the Cherry MX Black, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance experienced when typing or gaming.
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 Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 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
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch have distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel.
When it comes to sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a resonant typing experience. This means that you can expect a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. The downstroke produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound. On the other hand, the MX Black produces a low-pitched sound profile with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. It offers a familiar deep sound when typing. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is characterized by an accented and sharp tactile feedback. It provides a prominent amount of tactility, which is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The tactile bump is strong and crisp, offering a high feedback intensity with each keypress. On the contrary, the MX Black is described as textured and stiff. It has noticeable friction when pressed, which some users may prefer. It also requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches.
Based on these descriptions, both switches offer unique qualities. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a rare and premium typing experience with its sharp and hypertactile sensation. It offers a distinct and impactful typing experience with its medium-heavy feel and pronounced tactile bump. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black offers a classic textured smoothness and a familiar deep sound profile. It provides a different typing experience with noticeable friction and a higher actuation and bottom-out force requirement.
If you are looking for a switch with a similar sound profile to the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), you could consider other resonant switches. Likewise, if you prefer the textured feel of the MX Black, you might explore other switches with noticeable friction. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you prioritize a distinct and impactful typing experience with a medium-heavy feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a sharp and strong tactile bump on both the downstroke and upstroke, creating a hypertactile sensation. With their unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, the Moyu Blacks provide a rare and premium typing experience. In terms of sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches have a resonant profile, which offers a clean and sharp sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a more classic and textured typing experience with a heavy bottom-out force, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is the better choice. These switches feature Cherry's new Hyperglide tooling, offering a familiar deep sound profile. In terms of feel, the MX Black switches have a textured and stiff sensation, making them ideal for users who prefer a noticeable amount of friction and require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out. Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch depends on your personal preference for typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
Mentioned in this article
