Jwick Semi-Silent Linear vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g both offer unique benefits tailored to different typing preferences. The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is celebrated for its innovative design, providing a silky smooth typing experience that balances a whisper-quiet topping-out sound with a more pronounced clacky bottom-out, making it suitable for those who appreciate a tactile feedback without overwhelming noise. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is engineered for ultimate quietness, boasting an ultra-light 43g bottom-out force that caters especially to light typists who crave a serene typing atmosphere reminiscent of soft raindrops. While the Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its nuanced auditory feedback, the Silent Sakura excels in providing an almost silent experience. Both switches cater to different needs—whether it's for a lively office environment or a peaceful home setup—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
N/A
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g present a compelling study in contrasts, effectively showcasing the acoustic characteristics imparted by their choices of materials. The Semi-Silent Linear features a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate’s stiffer nature, allowing it to resonate more clearly. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enables enhanced RGB lighting effects, offering not only acoustic advantages but also aesthetic benefits. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g opts for a nylon top housing that lends a deeper, fuller sound profile to its operation. The relatively softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder tone that contrasts sharply with the bright sound of the Semi-Silent Linear.
When examining the bottom housing of both switches, the dynamic changes once again. The Semi-Silent Linear utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which echoes the deeper sound profile characteristic of the material. This choice ensures that the tactile experience of bottoming out the key is filled with a softer, enveloping sound. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is built with a polycarbonate bottom housing, reinforcing the sharper sound profile as its rigid structure provides clarity and resonance. This dichotomy highlights how the specific combinations of housing materials can create distinct auditory experiences, even when integrated into a seemingly simple mechanism like a switch.
Despite the distinct top and bottom housing materials in each switch, both the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g can ultimately deliver satisfying typing experiences. The Semi-Silent Linear's nylon bottom and polycarbonate top create a blend of crisper release sounds paired with softer impacts, while the Silent Sakura’s configuration reverses this, offering a more mellow landing with sharper key releases. Users can expect similar results in terms of typing feel and acoustic feedback; however, the tonal nuances will vary significantly based on the materials employed, giving each switch its distinctive character while providing an overarching sense of comfort and responsiveness. This nuanced interplay between different materials showcases how subtle variations can lead to significantly varied sound profiles and tactile experiences, making each switch unique despite shared functionality.
Weight
When comparing the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear does not specify an actuation force, but it has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g features an actuation force of 37 grams, contributing to a lighter typing experience, and it bottoms out at 43 grams. This means that while the Jwick switch offers a heavier bottom out feel, making it more suited for typists who prefer a substantial push, the Silent Sakura provides an easier keystroke, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or extended gaming. Overall, the Silent Sakura is the lighter option due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces, whereas the Jwick switch requires a heavier touch, appealing to those who favor more resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, we find notable differences that can influence user preference. The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g features a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch offers a more pronounced key press experience, appealing to those who prefer a deeper feel with greater tactile feedback. Conversely, the Semi-Silent Linear switch, with its shorter 3.7 mm travel distance, may be favored by gamers and users who prioritize responsiveness and quicker actuation. For individuals who enjoy a balance of depth and speed, understanding these differences can help guide their choice, as the shorter travel distance of the Semi-Silent Linear allows for faster response times, whereas the longer travel distance of the Silent Sakura may provide a more substantial typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 43g 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
When it comes to sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch stands out with its unique acoustic profile. This switch produces a subdued sound during activation, offering a dampened typing experience that isn't entirely silent, yet significantly quieter than many other mechanical switches. The topping-out noise is whisper-quiet, while the bottom-out sound retains a distinct clack, creating a balanced auditory signature that's suitable for both home and office environments. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch is engineered to provide a whisper-quiet experience akin to raindrops falling against a window. While the specific sound characteristics of the Silent Sakura weren't detailed, its design aims for minimal sound disruption, suggesting it may deliver a softer acoustic experience than the Semi-Silent Linear, depending on the chosen keyboard setup.
In terms of feel, the Semi-Silent Linear offers a delightful typing experience characterized by a mild, snappy, buttery, and polished sensation. Its smooth keystrokes are complemented by a refined finish that reduces friction, which together create an overall pleasurable typing motion. The responsive nature of this switch adds a layer of excitement to the experience, making it suitable for both leisurely typing and more intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, the feel of the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g remains unspecified, leaving its tactile attributes a mystery. However, given its description as an ultra-light switch, one can infer that it aims to provide a light and effortless keystroke, appealing to those who prefer a subtler touch.
In conclusion, both the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches cater to users who desire a quieter typing experience, albeit in slightly different ways. The Semi-Silent Linear gives a characteristically more pronounced aural experience with its clack and subdued engagement sounds, making it versatile for various applications. Meanwhile, the Silent Sakura is likely to deliver a softer, more serene auditory quality, tailored for the light typist looking to minimize disruption. As for feel, the Semi-Silent Linear is versatile and well-defined, while the HMX Silent Sakura’s characteristics remain unknown, making comparisons in this area challenging. Each switch brings its unique qualities, giving users a variety of options depending on their typing preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch largely depends on your typing style and environment. If you prefer a switch that combines a moderate actuation force with a distinctive bottom-out sound while still being relatively quiet, the Semi-Silent Linear is ideal for you. Its 62g bottom-out force makes it suitable for those who enjoy a bit of tactile feedback and a snappy, polished feel, all while maintaining a subdued sound signature that won't disturb those around you. On the other hand, if you're a lighter typist or work in an environment where silence is key, the Silent Sakura - 43g will likely be your best bet. With its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force and whisper-quiet operation, this switch is perfect for creating a serene typing experience, ideal for long hours of work or gaming without drawing attention. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing preferences and the surrounding noise levels you wish to manage.
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