Everglide Rice Pudding vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding on a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Swift, each catering to different preferences. The Everglide Rice Pudding switches are celebrated for their smooth operation and satisfying deep sound, providing a balanced typing experience that’s precise and enjoyable. Furthermore, their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds to their appeal, making them a versatile option for those seeking performance. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switches present a unique option with their full nylon housing, delivering a brighter sound signature coupled with a deeper profile. Their silky smoothness and delicate 42g actuation force make them an excellent choice for users who appreciate a softer, more feather-light typing experience. While both switches have their individual strengths—one focusing on a satisfying blend of sound and performance, the other offering an ultra-smooth touch and unique acoustics—these characteristics ultimately depend on personal preference. 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
38g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Rice Pudding and HMX Swift switches incorporate distinct materials for their top housings, leading to different sonic profiles. The Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiff nature and ability to create a sharper, crisper sound. This quality is particularly beneficial when RGB lighting is used, as the translucence of polycarbonate enhances visual effects. In contrast, the Swift employs a nylon top housing, which is softer and tends to absorb sound rather than amplify it, producing a deeper, rounder auditory experience. This fundamental difference in material affects key releases: while the Rice Pudding’s top housing generates a more resonant sound, the Swift’s nylon top results in a mellower acoustic output.
Regarding the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon, which gives them a deeper and fuller sound profile. This consistency in bottom housing material means that users will experience similar feedback and acoustic characteristics when pressing down on the keys of both switches. Since nylon absorbs sound, the bottom-out sound will feel consistent across both models, resulting in a dampened impact that provides a satisfying tactile experience. This shared bottom housing material means both switches achieve a rounder sound during key presses, although the overall acoustic profile is influenced by the differing top housings.
While the Rice Pudding and HMX Swift switches exhibit contrasting materials for their top housings, their nylon bottoms create a notable similarity in sound profile during key presses. The Rice Pudding's polycarbonate upper ensures a brighter sound when releasing keys, while the Swift’s nylon upper leads to a more subdued release sound. Ultimately, users can expect rounded and fuller acoustics due to the nylon bottom, but the choice of top housing materials will result in varied auditory experiences tailored to different preferences, balancing clarity and depth in sound.
Weight
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Swift linear switch both offer a light typing experience, though they differ slightly in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Rice Pudding has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option overall. In comparison, the Swift requires a slightly stronger actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. While both switches exhibit similar characteristics in terms of being light, the Rice Pudding has the edge in lower weight, which may be preferable for extended typing sessions or gaming. Users seeking a heavier feel might gravitate towards the Swift due to its marginally higher actuation and bottom out forces, providing a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.9 mm. Comparing the two, the Rice Pudding offers a shorter travel distance, making it more suitable for gamers who prioritize rapid response times and a more immediate feel when pressing keys; this is especially beneficial for fast-paced gaming scenarios. Conversely, the Swift, with its greater travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial tactile feedback and a deeper typing experience, which can be advantageous for typing or tasks requiring more deliberate key presses. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences, with the Everglide Rice Pudding catering to those who favor responsiveness and the HMX Swift targeting users who enjoy a richer, more traditional key travel experience.
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 Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
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 Everglide Rice Pudding switch offers a deep, rich audio profile that brings a satisfying resonance to each keystroke. This switch provides a balanced typing experience, making it both pleasing to the ear and effective for typing or gaming. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch presents a brighter sound signature, described as clacky. Its sharp and percussive nature produces a crisp and lively auditory feedback that can be incredibly satisfying, especially for those who enjoy a more responsive sound when typing. While both switches have appealing acoustic qualities, the Rice Pudding leans towards a fuller sound, whereas the Swift provides a snappier effect.
When it comes to feel, the Rice Pudding switch is known for its smooth operation, catering to those who favor a seamless typing experience. While the exact tactile feedback of the Rice Pudding isn’t specified, it is suggested that it fulfills a satisfying and precise typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Swift switch boasts numerous characteristics, including a light actuation force of 42g that makes it easy to press, dramatically reducing finger fatigue. Its bouncy and feathery qualities ensure that keystrokes feel effortless and responsive, while the creamy sensation adds an enjoyable buttery smoothness to each action. This makes the Swift particularly appealing for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Rice Pudding and HMX Swift switches offer unique and enjoyable experiences for different preferences. The Rice Pudding is ideal for those who appreciate a deeper sound and a smooth operation, while the Swift caters to users looking for a lighter, more responsive feel with a brighter auditory feedback. Collectively, these switches showcase the diverse qualities available in mechanical keyboard switches, catering to various preferences in sound and feel, allowing users to find the switch that best fits their typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Swift linear switch ultimately depends on your individual preferences and typing needs. If you lean towards a satisfying and precise typing experience that combines a smooth operation with a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding is an excellent option. Its lightweight bottom-out force of 48 grams makes it ideal for those who want an enjoyable, less fatiguing experience, especially beneficial during long typing sessions. Additionally, if you’re exploring more dynamic keyboard setups, the Rice Pudding's compatibility with Wooting’s keyboards could enhance your overall experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize effortless keystrokes and a unique clacky sound, the HMX Swift linear switch could be your best choice. Its light actuation force of just 42 grams makes typing feel incredibly easy and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue over prolonged usage. With its bouncy and creamy feel, the Swift is particularly great for gamers and those who spend many hours typing, providing a responsive and lively experience. Ultimately, consider your primary use — whether it's for typing, gaming, or versatility — to guide your choice between these two promising options.
Mentioned in this article
