Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sakura Pink offer unique attributes that cater to different preferences. The MX Silent Red is a linear switch that maintains the satisfying typing experience of the MX Red but with a silent operation, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink is also a linear switch but with a super light 35g actuation force, ideal for delicate typists who prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience. While the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured', the Sakura Pink is described as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Frictionless', 'Muted'. 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
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Silent Red and Everglide Sakura Pink both use different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, with the MX Silent Red utilizing nylon for both and the Sakura Pink featuring polycarbonate. The nylon top housing of the MX Silent Red creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound for a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Sakura Pink produces a sharper and crisper sound profile, as it is a stiffer plastic material that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Both housing materials offer unique sound profiles, catering to different preferences.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of the MX Silent Red and Sakura Pink also showcase differences in sound profiles due to their housing materials. The nylon bottom housing of the MX Silent Red maintains a deeper and fuller sound, similar to its top housing, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile akin to its top housing. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct typing experiences based on the composition of their bottom housings, with the MX Silent Red providing a more absorbent sound and the Sakura Pink delivering a more resonant sound.
Overall, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and Everglide Sakura Pink play a significant role in defining the sound profile of each switch. While the nylon and polycarbonate materials offer contrasting sound characteristics, they both contribute to enhancing the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound with the MX Silent Red's nylon housing or a sharper, crisper sound with the Sakura Pink's polycarbonate housing, both switches provide unique options for keyboard enthusiasts seeking different sound profiles in their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch reveals some interesting differences. The Cherry MX Silent Red has a higher actuation force of 45 grams, while the Everglide Sakura Pink has a lower actuation force of 35 grams. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink has a higher bottom out force of 45 grams, while the bottom out force of the MX Silent Red is unknown. This means that the Sakura Pink switch is lighter to press down initially but requires more force to bottom out compared to the MX Silent Red. Individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions might prefer the Everglide Sakura Pink, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Cherry MX Silent Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sakura Pink has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the MX Silent Red. Both switches are on the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distances, with 4.0mm being the more traditional length. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the MX Silent Red with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Sakura Pink. Overall, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, making them both viable options depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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
When comparing the sound qualities of the Cherry MX Silent Red and Everglide Sakura Pink switches, both switches are described as muted, meaning they produce softer and quieter sounds compared to other mechanical switches. The MX Silent Red is also characterized as thocky, providing a deeper and more satisfying sound, while the Sakura Pink produces a poppy sound reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, adding a playful element to your typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as having a textured feel, potentially offering some friction when pressed. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are characterized as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless, highlighting a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Overall, the Sakura Pink switches provide a seamless and uniform typing sensation that is light and gentle on the fingers.
In conclusion, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the MX Silent Red provides a slightly heftier feel with a silent operation, ideal for noise-sensitive environments, the Sakura Pink switches offer a super light and effortless typing experience with a distinctive poppy sound. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, but rest assured that both switches deliver satisfying results with their own distinctive characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Cherry MX Silent Red or the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are a few key differences to take into account. If you are looking for a keyboard switch that provides a slightly heftier feel but operates silently, the MX Silent Red would be an excellent choice for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a super light switch with a feather-light actuation force, the Sakura Pink is a great option for delicate typists who enjoy a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, your decision will come down to whether you prioritize a quieter sound profile with a slightly heavier feel (MX Silent Red) or a poppy sound with a lighter touch (Sakura Pink). Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so consider your typing style and environment when making your choice.
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