Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, both of which are linear switches. The MX Silent Red provides a similar typing experience to the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating quietly, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches offer a unique sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, providing a rich and indulgent typing experience. While the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Sunset Yellow switches are categorized as 'Bassy', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', and 'Thocky'. Each switch has its own advantages based on sound profile and typing feel, making them suitable for different preferences. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches both offer unique sound profiles, with the Silent Red featuring a nylon top and bottom housing and the Sunset Yellow featuring a POM top and bottom housing. Both nylon and POM are known for their ability to absorb sound, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, the nylon housing of the MX Silent Red is described as creating a duller and rounder sound, while the POM housing of the Sunset Yellow is said to produce a more muted sound. This slight difference in sound profile may be noticeable to users with a discerning ear.
In terms of feel, the nylon housing of the MX Silent Red and the POM housing of the Everglide Sunset Yellow both offer a softer typing experience compared to harder plastics. The nylon material of the Silent Red is known for creating a more rounded and deeper sound profile, which may contribute to a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the POM material of the Sunset Yellow is said to provide a more pleasing and unique sound, adding a touch of depth and muting to the overall typing experience. While both housing materials offer a softer touch, the specific properties of each material may result in a slightly different feel when typing.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer distinct sound and typing experiences. While both switches use materials known for absorbing sound and providing a deeper sound profile, the slight differences in the specific properties of nylon and POM can result in noticeable variations in sound and feel. Whether you prefer the duller and rounder sound of nylon or the more muted and unique sound of POM, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to personal preference and which sound profile and typing feel you find more appealing.
Weight
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. However, the Sunset Yellow switch has a bottom out force of 51 grams, which is higher compared to the MX Silent Red where the bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Sunset Yellow switch requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke but a heavier push to bottom out completely. This could result in a typing experience that feels more substantial with the Sunset Yellow switch, while the MX Silent Red switch might be preferred for those looking for a lighter overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Cherry MX Silent Red has a longer travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the Sunset Yellow's 3.2 mm. A shorter travel distance can lead to faster response times, making it ideal for gamers who require quick reactions. On the other hand, a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user. Whether opting for the shorter or longer travel distance, both switches offer a smooth linear feel that can enhance typing and gaming performance.
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 Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 Cherry MX Silent Red switch offers a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch delivers a bassy and thocky sound, reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, creating a rich and indulgent auditory experience. The choice between the two would depend on whether one prefers a quieter and softer sound with the MX Silent Red or a deeper and richer sound with the Sunset Yellow.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as textured, indicating some friction when pressed. Conversely, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. The unique Ly stem and factory lube method of the Sunset Yellow contribute to a distinct gliding sensation, making each keystroke feel effortless and silky. Those who prefer a smoother and more frictionless typing experience may lean towards the Sunset Yellow switch.
Considering all available information, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer distinct advantages in sound and feel. The MX Silent Red provides a quieter sound profile with a slightly textured feel, while the Sunset Yellow delivers a rich and indulgent sound with a creamy and polished typing experience. Both switches offer linear operation and medium weight, making them suitable for various typing preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying feel of a linear switch, then the Cherry MX Silent Red would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a switch with a unique sound profile that offers a rich and indulgent typing experience, along with a smooth and frictionless feel, then the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch would be a perfect fit for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing environment.
Mentioned in this article
