Everglide Rice Pudding vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence the typing experience. The Everglide Rice Pudding switches are renowned for their smooth operation and deep sound, delivering a satisfying and precise feedback that enhances the overall typing experience. Best suited for keyboard enthusiasts who value performance and versatility, these hall effect switches are also compatible with Wooting’s cutting-edge keyboards. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches offer a completely different allure: a whisper-quiet typing experience that evokes the soothing sound of raindrops against a window. With a balanced actuation force of 53g, they are designed for typists who appreciate a light and satisfying keystroke without disturbing those around them. Each switch has its unique strengths, catering to different preferences in typing feel and sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches, a notable divergence can be seen in the top housings. The Rice Pudding utilizes polycarbonate, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its rigidity. This makes the sound more clear and resonant, especially when illuminated by RGB lighting, since polycarbonate is translucent. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 53g features a nylon top housing that yields a deeper and fuller sound profile. This distinction arises from nylon's softer characteristics, which absorb sound and contribute to a rounder auditory experience. Thus, while both switches can provide distinct sound signatures, the Rice Pudding emphasizes clarity and brightness, whereas the Silent Sakura prioritizes warmth and depth.
Looking at the bottom housings, however, the differences between the two switches shift entirely. The Rice Pudding employs nylon for its bottom housing, which parallels the top housing of the Silent Sakura that features polycarbonate. This means that, in the case of the Rice Pudding, the soft nylon contributes again to a deeper sound experience, enhancing the overall roundness of sound upon pressing the switch. Conversely, the Silent Sakura's stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing complements its nylon top housing and introduces a clearer acoustic quality. As the bottom housing significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and overall feel when pressed, this results in the Silent Sakura providing a sharper auditory response on bottoming out compared to the Rice Pudding's fuller sound profile.
When integrating both top and bottom housing materials in both switches, the unique qualities of each come into play during use. The Rice Pudding, with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom, balances a crisp release with a solid and muted bottoming sound. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura achieves a blend of softer top sound with a clearer response on bottoming out, due to the opposing nature of the materials used. If we consider overall sound experience, both switches can achieve satisfying results, yet the tonal complexity differs; where the Rice Pudding leans towards a more vibrant and clear sound, the Silent Sakura favors a smoother and more harmonious auditory profile. Ultimately, the choice between them may come down to personal preference regarding sound texture and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, we can note some key differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Rice Pudding switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke and suitable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Silent Sakura requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, providing a firmer typing experience for those who prefer more resistance. Additionally, the Rice Pudding has a bottom out force of 48 grams, which is again lighter than the 53 grams required by the Silent Sakura switch. Overall, this means that the Rice Pudding switch is the lighter option, while the Silent Sakura offers a heavier push feel. Users seeking a softer touch may gravitate toward the Rice Pudding, while those desiring more substantial feedback in their typing should consider the Silent Sakura.
Travel distance
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Rice Pudding switch offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Sakura, which aligns with current trends that favor quicker response times for gamers. Those who prefer a snappier actuation may find the Rice Pudding's shorter travel distance more appealing, providing a more responsive feel. Conversely, the Silent Sakura, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial and gradual pressing experience for users who appreciate a deeper feedback when typing or gaming. Therefore, your choice between these two switches will largely depend on your personal preference for sensitivity versus depth in key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g comes in at $3.50 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 Rice Pudding switch is characterized by a deep sound that delivers a robust auditory feedback during typing, providing a satisfying resonance with each keystroke. This quality contributes to a more pronounced acoustic experience, making it ideal for users who relish a substantial and rich sound profile while typing. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch offers a whisper-quiet performance, evoking gentle raindrops against a window. The muted acoustics cater to users seeking a subtle typing experience, perfect for quiet environments or shared workspaces. While the Rice Pudding provides a more audible and engaging sound, the Silent Sakura excels in delivering a serene and unobtrusive auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Rice Pudding switch provides a smooth operational quality that promotes fluid keystrokes and enhances typing precision. Its design ensures a satisfying tactile experience, allowing users to enjoy the act of typing with confidence. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 53g offers a light keystroke feel, striking a balance between comfort and responsiveness. The 53g bottom-out force means that it requires less effort to actuate, making it suitable for users who may favor speed over tactile feedback. While each switch offers distinct characteristics in their feel, those who prefer a smooth and fluid experience might gravitate toward the Rice Pudding, whereas the Silent Sakura would benefit typists who prioritize lightness and quietude.
In conclusion, choosing between the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switches will ultimately depend on personal preferences regarding sound and feel. The Rice Pudding switch will provide a richer auditory experience with a smooth typing action, while the Silent Sakura gives you a light and near-silent keystroke for a more discreet typing environment. Both switches cater to different types of users, ensuring that whether you prefer a pronounced sound or a silent touch, you can achieve a satisfying typing experience according to your needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and preferences. If you favor a lighter resistance and a typing experience that balances smoothness with rich sound, the Rice Pudding switch will serve you well, offering just 48 grams of force for effortless typing while still providing a pleasing auditory feedback often described as satisfying and deep. This makes it particularly suited for those who spend long hours typing and appreciate both performance and versatility, especially if you’re using a compatible Wooting keyboard. On the other hand, if your priority is a quieter workstation along with a slightly firmer keystroke, the Silent Sakura - 53g, with its 53 grams of bottom-out force, is specifically designed for those who prefer a muted yet satisfying experience. Its whisper-quiet operation is ideal in shared spaces, ensuring that your typing sounds like gentle raindrops instead of clacking keys. Thus, your decision hinges on whether you lean towards a more expressive, acoustic typing sensation or a serene, subtle environment without sacrificing performance.
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