HMX Silent Sakura - 43g vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g and the HMX Vintage Citrus offer distinctly different experiences tailored to diverse user preferences. The Silent Sakura, with its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, is designed to provide a peaceful and quiet typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those who value a serene environment or work in shared spaces. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus is engineered for gamers, featuring a remarkably low actuation force that allows for rapid-fire inputs and a bright, clacky sound profile that appeals to those who enjoy auditory feedback during gameplay. While the Silent Sakura prioritizes a gentle, unobtrusive touch, the Vintage Citrus emphasizes speed and responsiveness, showcasing the unique strengths of linear switches in different contexts. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The HMX Silent Sakura - 43g and the HMX Vintage Citrus both utilize nylon for their top housings, which imparts a rich and full sound profile to the typing experience. As nylon is a softer plastic, it effectively absorbs sound, leading to a deeper and rounder acoustic signature when typing. This similarity in top housing materials means that users can expect comparable sound characteristics when engaging with these switches. Typists might appreciate the muted auditory feedback, which makes both switches conducive to quiet environments or extended typing sessions, where a smoother sound profile can create a more pleasant atmosphere.
Contrastingly, the bottom housing of these switches distinguishes their auditory and tactile feedback. The Silent Sakura features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which offers a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer composition. This material enhances the clarity of the keypress sounds, making them more resonant and pronounced, especially during the bottom-out phase. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus employs a nylon bottom housing, similar to its top housing, which maintains the deeper, fuller sound profile associated with nylon materials. Users of the Vintage Citrus may therefore experience a less pronounced auditory feedback compared to the sharper sounds produced by the Silent Sakura.
In summary, while both switches share the same nylon top housing, the differences in their bottom housings significantly impact the overall typing experience. The HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a blend of both rounded and crisp sound characteristics, thanks to its combination of nylon and polycarbonate materials. Conversely, the HMX Vintage Citrus provides a consistent deeper sound profile across both the top and bottom housings. For individuals seeking a more dynamic sound experience, the Silent Sakura may be more appealing, while the Vintage Citrus caters to those who prefer a uniform auditory feedback, as both switches still maintain a pleasing typographical interaction.
Weight
The HMX Silent Sakura and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches present distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varying preferences for weight and typing feel. The Silent Sakura has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it an excellent choice for those who favor a softer touch, which can be advantageous for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus requires a heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Thus, while the Silent Sakura is the lighter switch overall, providing a gentler touch, the Vintage Citrus's heavier forces offer a sturdier feel. These differences ensure that users can select a switch that aligns with their typing style—whether they prioritize endurance or tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there is a notable difference: the Silent Sakura has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Vintage Citrus features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. The longer travel distance of the Silent Sakura aligns with a more traditional feel, providing users with a deeper and potentially more satisfying keystroke experience. In contrast, the 3 mm travel distance of the Vintage Citrus supports faster response times, which is often favored by gamers seeking quick actuation. Ultimately, if you prefer a more traditional, hearty keystroke, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is the suitable choice, whereas those who prioritize speed might opt for the HMX Vintage Citrus.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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
In terms of sound, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a whisper-quiet experience, akin to gentle raindrops, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer minimal auditory distraction while typing or gaming. This subdued profile caters well to environments where noise levels need to be kept low. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch is designed with gaming in mind, featuring a bright, clacky sound that enhances the auditory feedback during rapid-fire inputs. This distinct sound profile may appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced auditory interaction with their keyboard, emphasizing the tactile engagement of their gaming experience. Keep in mind, though, that the ultimate sound produced can be influenced by the specific keyboard construction and keycap materials used.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Sakura - 43g is characterized by its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, making it ideal for typists who favor a softer touch and a subtle, smooth pushing sensation. This light actuation aids in reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus switch is engineered for speed, featuring a low actuation force of just 1mm, allowing for quick and responsive inputs. This design emphasizes a seamless, smooth push feel that caters to gamers who require rapid reactions and precision in their keystrokes. While both switches aim for a fluid typing experience, their intended use cases create distinct tactile sensations that will resonate differently with users.
In conclusion, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches present contrasting experiences suited for different user preferences. If you prioritize a serene, quiet typing environment, the Silent Sakura will deliver smooth and gentle feedback. Alternatively, for those who thrive on fast-paced gaming demands, the Vintage Citrus offers an engaging sound profile and incredibly responsive feel. Ultimately, while both switches share the linear design that provides a consistent keypress experience, the nuanced differences in sound and feel will guide you to choose the switch that best aligns with your typing or gaming style.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches, your personal typing style and environment should be paramount in your decision-making. If you favor a light and almost serene typing experience, perhaps due to working in a quiet space or shared environment, the Silent Sakura - 43g is your ideal choice with its ultra-light touch and whisper-quiet operation reminiscent of raindrops. This makes it particularly suitable for long typing sessions without causing distraction to others nearby. On the other hand, if you are a gamer who thrives on quick, precise keystrokes and a dynamic audio feedback, the Vintage Citrus switch will likely suit you better. With its slightly higher bottom-out force, rapid actuation, and satisfying clacky sound profile, it is engineered for speed and responsiveness, enhancing your overall gaming performance. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct experiences: one embodies tranquility while the other embraces playful energy. Choose according to the needs of your specific typing scenarios to ensure you enjoy every keystroke.
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