HMX Poro vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Poro and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the nuances between options can significantly impact your typing experience. The HMX Poro, a linear switch, is celebrated for its silky smooth keystrokes and ultra-light actuation force, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a soft and effortless typing experience. Its poppy and clacky sound profile adds an engaging auditory dimension, perfect for users who enjoy a bit of auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch entices with its rich, bassy sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, creating an indulgent auditory experience. The medium weight of the Sunset Yellow makes it versatile enough to accommodate various typing styles, while its unique Ly stem and factory lubrication ensure a frictionless glide and a sharp, responsive feel. Although both switches offer a satisfying feel and sound, they cater to different preferences and needs. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Ly
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
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Poro and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, we see contrasting choices in their top and bottom materials—nylon and POM, respectively. The Poro utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a consistent sound and feel throughout the switch. Nylon is a well-known classic in switch manufacturing, prized for its ability to absorb sound, which contributes to a deeper and rounder auditory profile. The muted qualities of nylon allow for a smooth typing experience, where each keypress resonates with a fullness that many users appreciate. This consistent material choice means that users can expect a unified sound profile whether they are bottoming out the switch or releasing it.
In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow employs POM for its top and bottom housings, a modern plastic that is favored for its unique acoustic properties. POM creates a distinctive, pleasing sound that lies on the deeper side as well but tends to be more muted and slightly crisper compared to nylon. The unique sound of POM may offer users an appealingly different auditory experience that still retains depth, albeit with a touch of brightness. Furthermore, POM’s rigidity contrasts with the softer nature of nylon, which might lead to a slightly firmer feel during keypresses. Thus, while both switches aim for richer sound profiles, their construction materials offer a range of auditory characteristics to users.
Despite these differences, both switches can achieve similar end results in terms of sound and feel due to the interplay of their housings. The Poro’s nylon provides a uniformly muted sound, while the Sunset Yellow's POM provides a more textured sound experience. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out feel is pronounced in both cases, allowing users to experience a satisfying feedback from their key presses. Ultimately, while the materials differ, the goal of creating an engaging typing experience is a shared objective, and users may find they enjoy the nuanced differences presented by each switch. Both switches demonstrate how material selection significantly influences user experience, providing a spectrum of sound profiles that can cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Poro linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Poro features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Sunset Yellow is lighter at 43 grams, making the latter easier to press down initially. However, when it comes to bottom out forces, the Poro has a slightly lower force at 50 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 51 grams, indicating that the Poro is also more forgiving at the end of the key press. This difference in bottom out pressure can contribute to a lighter overall typing feel with the Poro, which may be preferred by those looking for longer typing sessions or gaming experiences. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow provides a bit more resistance, which could appeal to users who favor a heftier key feel. Overall, while both switches are relatively light, the HMX Poro is slightly lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, resulting in a smoother and more effortless typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Poro linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it's evident that the Poro offers a longer travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. For users who favor quick response times, the shorter distance of the Sunset Yellow may be more appealing, as it facilitates faster key presses that are often preferred by gamers. On the other hand, the Poro's greater travel distance could provide a more substantial feel during typing, which some users appreciate for its depth and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for either responsiveness or key travel depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
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 HMX Poro linear switch produces a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile, thanks to its ultra-light actuation force, which contributes to a more pronounced auditory experience per keystroke. Meanwhile, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offers a captivating sound that is described as bassy, thocky, and reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. This deeper and richer sound signature provides a satisfying auditory feedback often characterized by a deep "thud" as keys are pressed and released. While both switches deliver unique sound profiles that cater to different auditory preferences, the overall sound experience will depend on various factors, including the choice of keyboard and keycap materials.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Poro switch is recognized for its meticulously lubricated keystrokes, which result in a silky smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch prides itself on providing a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, allowing for an extraordinarily smooth and effortless typing experience. The combination of a unique Ly stem and factory lubrication ensures that users will find the Sunset Yellow to have a pleasurable tactile sensation while typing. Both switches are designed to minimize resistance, but the Poro specifically emphasizes a smooth glide, while the Sunset Yellow focuses on fluidity and an overall luxurious feel.
In conclusion, both the HMX Poro and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer distinct auditory and tactile qualities that cater to different user preferences. The Poro stands out with its clacky and poppy sound alongside its silky smooth keystrokes, while the Sunset Yellow captivates with its deeper, richer sound profile and creamy, frictionless feel. Although their characteristics differ, both can provide an enjoyable typing experience, depending on the specific qualities a user seeks in their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Poro linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, you'll want to consider your typing preferences and overall experience. If you favor an ultra-light keystroke with a silky smooth glide and a satisfying poppy sound profile, the HMX Poro would be your best choice. Their lightweight actuation makes them ideal for long typing sessions or gaming where rapid keystrokes are necessary. On the other hand, if you desire a deeper, bassy sound and a highly responsive typing experience, the Everglide Sunset Yellow might be more suitable. With its medium-light resistance, this switch provides a balance that appeals to a wider range of users, especially those who enjoy a richer auditory experience combined with a creamy, frictionless typing feel. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize a lighter touch with a unique sound profile like that of the Poro, or prefer the more substantial and immersive feedback offered by the Sunset Yellow.
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