Everglide Sakura Pink vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Sakura Pink and HMX Vintage Citrus offer distinct yet appealing options for different user preferences. The Sakura Pink, with its feather-light actuation force of just 35g, caters beautifully to delicate typists who favor a smooth and effortless typing experience. Known for its “buttery” and “creamy” feel, it provides a quiet yet playful sound reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, making it ideal for those who appreciate tactile enjoyment in their keyboard sessions. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus is designed with gamers in mind, featuring a remarkably low actuation distance of just 1mm, allowing for rapid-fire inputs and quick responsiveness crucial in high-stakes gaming. This switch has a bright, clacky sound that adds an energetic dynamic to gameplay, appealing to those who thrive on auditory feedback. Despite both switches being linear, offering a straightforward and consistent keystroke with no tactile bump, their unique characteristics make them suited for different types of users. 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
35g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sakura Pink and HMX Vintage Citrus switches showcase contrasting materials in their housing construction, which significantly influences their acoustic characteristics and overall performance. The Sakura Pink features polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, a material known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This property arises from polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for enhanced sound resonance. In addition to its acoustic advantages, polycarbonate's translucency makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting applications, as it allows light to pass through effectively, creating a visually striking aesthetic.
In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a material that brings a different sonic experience to the table. Nylon's relatively softer nature absorbs sound waves more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that is often described as rounder and warmer compared to that of polycarbonate. The distinction in the materials not only alters the auditory feedback—wherein the Vintage Citrus appeals to users who prefer a softer sound—but also impacts the overall feel of the switch. Many users gravitate towards the deeper and more rumbling sensations when typing on switches that incorporate nylon.
When comparing the two, we see a clear differentiation in their sound profiles due to the respective materials used in each switch's housing. If a user were to experience both switches, they would notice that while the Sakura Pink delivers a more crisp and bright sound, the Vintage Citrus offers a soft, rich sound. Importantly, the unique characteristics of each housing material also interact during use, with the bottom housing having more influence on bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, even though both switch models can produce satisfying results, the choice ultimately depends on the user's preference for either the clarity of polycarbonate or the warmth of nylon for their typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Sakura Pink features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for extended typing sessions and quick keystrokes. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus has a heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, offering a more substantial push feel that some typists may prefer for a tactile typing experience. This means that for users who favor a lighter switch, the Sakura Pink is the better option, while those who enjoy a stronger resistance should opt for the Vintage Citrus. Ultimately, these differences in force can significantly influence typing comfort and overall user experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the differences are notable. The Sakura Pink features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Vintage Citrus has a travel distance of only 3 mm. This means that the Vintage Citrus switch offers a shorter travel distance, which can lead to quicker response times and may be preferable for gamers seeking rapid key registers. Conversely, the Sakura Pink, with its longer 4 mm travel, provides a more traditional feel that some users may favor for its depth and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference: those who appreciate a more responsive keystroke might opt for the Vintage Citrus, whereas individuals who enjoy a fuller typing experience may lean towards the Sakura Pink.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch produces a delightfully poppy sound, often likened to the satisfying noise of bubble wrap being popped. This contributes a fun and playful element to typing, making it enjoyable for longer sessions. In contrast, the sound profile of the HMX Vintage Citrus is noted for being bright and clacky, which is typically more pronounced and sharp than the softer sounds of the Sakura Pink. However, since the specifics regarding Vintage Citrus sound qualities are not fully elaborated upon, it's paramount to consider that sound characteristics can also heavily depend on the keycaps and the type of keyboard used.
In terms of feel, the Sakura Pink switch excels with its buttery and creamy touch, providing a seamless, smooth keystroke experience that makes typing feel effortless and fluid. The incredibly light actuation force of 35g allows for easy presses and reduced finger fatigue, contributing to its frictionless operation. In contrast, the details regarding the feel of the HMX Vintage Citrus switch remain unspecified, which leaves a gap in directly comparing its tactile qualities to those of the Sakura Pink. However, given that it is designed for gamers, the focus on rapid actuation suggests it may prioritize responsiveness, though specifics regarding its tactile feedback and smoothness are unknown.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Sakura Pink and HMX Vintage Citrus switches offer distinct auditory experiences, with the Sakura Pink being playful and the Vintage Citrus clackier, the Sakura Pink's tactile qualities stand out for their smoothness and effortless actuation. Without additional information on the Vintage Citrus’s feel, it's challenging to make a comprehensive comparison. Those seeking a soft and enjoyable typing experience may gravitate towards Sakura Pink, while gamers interested in speed might find the Vintage Citrus appealing. Ultimately, personal preference will play a significant role in selecting the best switch for individual needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches offer unique characteristics tailored to different preferences and use cases. If you prioritize a light touch and enjoy a buttery, frictionless typing experience, the Sakura Pink would be an excellent choice—especially if you are a delicate typist or engage primarily in lengthy typing sessions where minimizing finger fatigue is essential. Additionally, if you appreciate the playful, muted sound profile that adds a subtle charm to your keyboard without being overly distracting, these switches fit the bill beautifully. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking rapid-fire responsiveness with an engaging clacky sound, the Vintage Citrus switch should be your go-to option. Its slightly heavier actuation force provides a solid tactile feel that's still easy to press, making it ideal for quick inputs in fast-paced gaming. This switch's design is purpose-built for performance, ensuring that every keystroke is met with a satisfying response. By understanding your primary activities and sound preferences, you can make an informed decision that enhances your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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