Jwick Semi-Silent Linear vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are many options to choose from, each offering its own unique features and characteristics. Two popular linear switches that stand out are the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is known for its innovative design, providing a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a satisfying clacky bottom-out sound. It offers a silky smooth type feel without being overly polished. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches are captivating with their Creamsicle-colored appearance and a sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. These switches deliver a rich, bassy, and decadent typing experience, thanks to a unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method. With a medium-weight and a combination of short travel and a long-pole stem, the Sunset Yellow switches offer a highly responsive and sharper typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches differ, with the Semi-Silent Linear featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Sunset Yellow has a POM top housing and a POM bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear creates a sharper and crisper sound, with a higher-pitched tone. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more resonant sound. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow produces a deeper and more muted sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, they differ in terms of pitch, with polycarbonate being sharper and POM being deeper.
In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear is especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Its translucency allows the lighting to shine through, creating a visually appealing effect. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow may not have the same translucent effect but still offers a pleasing appearance.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches utilize different materials. The nylon bottom housing of the Semi-Silent Linear contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow also creates a deeper and more muted sound. While the materials differ, they both offer a similar result in terms of sound, with a deeper tone.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ, they each offer unique sound profiles. The polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while the POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow creates a deeper and more muted sound. Additionally, both switches have different bottom housing materials that contribute to a deeper tone. However, if similar results are desired, both switches offer options for a deeper and more resonant sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is currently unavailable, while the Sunset Yellow switch has an actuation force of 43 grams. This means that the Sunset Yellow switch requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Jwick switch, although the exact force required by the Jwick switch is unknown.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch has a lower bottom out force of 51 grams, making it medium-light. This means that the Jwick switch provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressing down the keys, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a lighter feel.
Considering the weight aspect, those who prefer lighter switches may opt for the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch as it requires a lighter actuation force. This can be beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods, such as for work or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience and enjoy the feeling of a stronger push may lean towards the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, as it has a potentially heavier actuation force.
In conclusion, while the actuation force for the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is unavailable, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch has a lower actuation force. The Jwick switch has a higher bottom out force compared to the Sunset Yellow switch, offering a slightly heavier typing experience. The choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences, with the Jwick switch potentially delivering a stronger push feel while the Sunset Yellow switch providing a lighter touch for longer typing sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches, it is evident that they have different distances. The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Jwick switch falls closer to the more traditional travel distance of 4.0 mm, whereas the Sunset Yellow is on the shallower end with a distance of 3.0 mm. Gamers often opt for shorter travel distances to achieve faster response times, making the Sunset Yellow an appealing choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper tactile feel might lean towards the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear option. Regardless, both switches provide a distinct experience based on their differing travel distances, ensuring that users can find the one that best suits their preferences.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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
In terms of sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is best described as subdued. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. While not completely silent, it maintains a whisper-quiet topping-out sound with a clacky bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch has a bassy sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. It offers a rich, deep, and decadent sound during key presses, characterized by a lower frequency range.
When it comes to feel, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch provides a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. Its silky smooth type feel falls in a safe middle-ground zone, ensuring a gentle typing experience. It also has a snappy response, thanks to its super responsive nature. The Everglide Sunset Yellow switch, on the other hand, offers a creamy, frictionless typing experience. It feels smooth and buttery, as if gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. With its unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, it provides a distinct gliding feel and fluid travel.
Taking all the available information into account, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a more subdued sound, a mild and snappy typing feel, and a silky smooth type feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch provides a bassy sound, a creamy and frictionless typing feel, and a smooth and refined typing experience. While they have some differences in sound and feel, both switches have aspects of being polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, if you're looking for a quieter switch with a mild typing experience, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is a great choice. If you prefer a switch with a bassy sound and a smooth, buttery feel, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch would be a fantastic option.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a more subtle and subdued sound profile, along with a typing experience that is gentle and approachable, then the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a silky smooth type feel without being over-polished. The Semi-Silent Linear switch is best known for its innovative semi-silent label, which provides a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound.
On the other hand, if you prefer a captivating and indulgent sound profile that resembles mahjong tiles colliding, along with a smooth and buttery typing experience, then the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch would be a great option. With its medium-light bottom out force of 51 grams, it offers a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, making typing an indulgent experience. The unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem ensures a sharper and highly responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches comes down to your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a more subdued and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and snappy typing experience, the Semi-Silent Linear is the way to go. On the other hand, if you crave a bassy and thocky sound profile, along with a creamy and frictionless typing experience, the Sunset Yellow switch would be a perfect fit. Consider your sound and feel preferences carefully to find the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your typing experience.
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