Everglide Rice Pudding vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Rice Pudding and HMX Twilight present two distinct yet appealing options for different types of users. The Everglide Rice Pudding is renowned for its smooth operation and deep sound, providing a balanced typing experience that combines satisfaction and precision. It is particularly favored by enthusiasts due to its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards, which enhances its performance and versatility. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch boasts an extended 3.85mm travel distance, which not only delivers a quieter sound but also retains the signature clacky characteristics that HMX switches are known for. This makes the Twilight a compelling choice for those who prefer a smooth and silent keystroke. Ultimately, your choice between the Rice Pudding and the HMX Twilight will largely depend on your specific typing preferences and gaming 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
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
3.85 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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Rice Pudding and HMX Twilight switches feature distinctly different top housing materials, which significantly impacts their respective sound profiles. The Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its ability to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is mainly due to the rigidity of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that promotes clear resonance. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight opts for a nylon top housing that contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer properties mean it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory characteristic. The contrasting materials highlight how each switch can deliver unique sound experiences; the Rice Pudding excels in clarity and brightness, while the Twilight offers depth.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Rice Pudding and Twilight switches utilize nylon, which means they share a similar auditory quality in this aspect. As a classic housing material, nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound, with softer characteristics that absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. This has the effect of creating a more muted sound profile during key presses. Hence, when it comes to the bottom housing, both switches will deliver a comparable sound experience, emphasizing the deeper and rounder sound. This similarity assures users that while the top housings might differ, the fundamental auditory experience shared by the nylon bottom ensures continuity in the overall sound profile.
Overall, the differences in top housing materials between the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate and the Twilight's nylon lead to a varied experience while typing. Each housing contributes distinct sonic qualities; the polycarbonate top promotes brightness and clarity, while the nylon provides substance and fullness. Nonetheless, the shared nylon bottom housing facilitates a deeper sound profile for both switches, allowing users to experience a consistent aural quality during key presses. Therefore, while the top housing variations influence their sound characteristics significantly, the commonality in the bottom housing ensures that users can expect some overlap in user experience between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, we see notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Rice Pudding switch boasts an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it the lighter option. In contrast, the Twilight switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Both switches are considered light, but the Twilight provides a more substantial typing experience due to its higher force requirements. Users who favor lighter switches for extended typing sessions might prefer the Rice Pudding, while those who appreciate a stronger push might lean toward the Twilight. Overall, while both switches are on the lighter side, the Rice Pudding offers an easier actuation, appealing to those who type for long periods without fatigue.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, we see that the Rice Pudding has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Twilight measures slightly longer at 3.85 mm. This difference of 0.35 mm makes the Rice Pudding the shorter of the two options. For users who prioritize quick responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the Rice Pudding may be more appealing, as it allows for faster key presses which can enhance gaming performance. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Twilight may provide a more substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper, more deliberate keystroke, reducing the risk of accidental key presses. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding depth and responsiveness.
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 Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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, resonant sound that contributes to a satisfying auditory experience while typing. This balanced audio signature enhances the overall mood of the typing experience without being excessively loud, making it suitable for both personal use and environments where noise might be a concern. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch delivers a quieter sound profile due to its extended travel distance of 3.85mm. While the Twilight maintains a subdued noise level, it still embodies the signature clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches. This means that while both switches offer a good auditory experience, the Rice Pudding is more prominent in sound, while the Twilight offers a more subdued quietness.
When it comes to feel, the Rice Pudding switches provide a smooth and satisfying tactile experience that allows for precise keystrokes and minimizes finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. This smooth operation is a significant draw for many typing enthusiasts who appreciate a refined touch. On the other hand, the Twilight switch, with its extended travel, presents a different tactile feedback but is designed to maintain that linear sensation, allowing for swift key presses without the additional tactile bump. Both switches cater to different preferences, with Rice Pudding appealing to those who enjoy a smoother typing experience and Twilight focusing on a linear action that promotes speed and fluidity.
In summary, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch each serve distinct user preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Rice Pudding offers a deeper sound and a perfectly smooth typing experience, while the Twilight provides a quieter typing environment and a more linear action with a focus on speed. Depending on individual priorities, such as noise levels or tactile sensations, either switch can enhance your typing experience and offer a satisfying performance.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and the specific experience you seek from your mechanical keyboard. If you prioritize a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding may be the ideal option for you, especially if you are looking for compatibility with innovative keyboards like those from Wooting. Its lighter actuation force and balanced design make it superb for long typing sessions, allowing you to type faster and with less fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly more pronounced actuation with a longer travel distance that helps in providing feedback without being overly loud, the Twilight switch would suit you well. The quieter operation and signature clacky characteristics cater to those who enjoy the tactile sensations typical of linear switches while still wanting a pleasant auditory experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique advantages, so consider your preferences in tactile feedback, sound, and compatibility to ensure you make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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