HMX Silent Sakura - 53g vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the calm, muted tones of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the lively, resonant feedback of the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Silent Sakura is celebrated for its whisper-quiet operation, designed to evoke the soothing sound of gentle raindrops while delivering a balanced and satisfying keystroke with its 53g bottom-out force. This switch is ideally suited for typists who prioritize a serene typing environment, making it perfect for office settings or shared workspaces. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow presents a more vibrant auditory experience, characterized by a bassy thock reminiscent of colliding mahjong tiles. Its medium weight and unique Ly stem design provide a snappy, responsive feel that appeals to users seeking dynamic keystrokes. While both switches cater to linear enthusiasts, the Silent Sakura emphasizes tranquility, while the Sunset Yellow highlights engaging feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.50 per 10

$3.09 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, there are notable differences in their top housing materials. The Silent Sakura employs a nylon top housing, which is renowned for generating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic stems from nylon's softer nature; it absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, yielding a rounder, more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow features a POM top housing, celebrated for producing an equally pleasing sound but with its own unique attributes. While both nylon and POM contribute to a deeper sound signature, the nuances differ, with the Silent Sakura offering more absorption and a warmer tone due to its soft composition.

On the other hand, the bottom housings of these switches tell a different story, with the Silent Sakura using polycarbonate while the Sunset Yellow favors POM. Polycarbonate is recognized for its rigidity, which translates into a higher-pitched and crisper sound profile. This sharper quality can enhance the clarity of key presses, especially in the context of RGB lighting where the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for a vivid display. In contrast, the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow aligns with its top counterpart in delivering a deeper and more muted sound. Although they utilize different materials, both achieve a unique sound profile, albeit through varying mechanisms; the POM tends to produce a more uniform sound, aligning with the deeper tone established by its top housing.

Ultimately, the interplay of the different materials in both switches results in a distinct auditory experience. While the Silent Sakura provides a fuller sound, characterized by the warm absorption properties of nylon and the clarity afforded by polycarbonate, the Sunset Yellow's POM top and bottom housing presents a cohesive deeper sound. Despite their differences, enthusiasts can expect to achieve satisfactory results with both switches, as their design philosophy centers around crafting a pleasing auditory profile. Whether one is drawn to the subtle complexity of the Silent Sakura or the muted richness of the Sunset Yellow, both versions exemplify unique interpretations of sound design in mechanical switches.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, both options fall within a medium-light category, catering to those who prefer a typing experience that isn’t overly strenuous. The Silent Sakura features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Sunset Yellow has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams. This means that the Sunset Yellow is the lighter of the two switches, making it potentially more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions where reduced finger fatigue is desired. In contrast, the Silent Sakura's heavier feel may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Although both switches offer a similar end result in terms of overall usability, the Sunset Yellow provides a lighter actuation force, which might be favored by those looking for a nimble and responsive feel.

Travel distance

The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that the Silent Sakura provides a more traditional and deeper keystroke experience, which some users find preferable for tactile feedback. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow's 3.2 mm travel distance caters to those who favor quicker response times, making it a more suitable choice for gamers seeking speed and efficiency. As a result, users who enjoy a more pronounced feel when typing or gaming may benefit from the Silent Sakura's longer travel, while those who prioritize rapid key presses may lean towards the Sunset Yellow. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for either depth or responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound characteristics of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches offer a subtle auditory experience, designed to provide a whisper-quiet typing result, reminiscent of gentle raindrops. Its focus on silence makes it suitable for shared or professional environments where noise can be a distraction. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches produce a rich, bassy tone that evokes the delightful sound of mahjong tiles colliding. These thocky switches create a deep and satisfying auditory feedback that many typists find indulgent during their keystrokes. While both switches cater to different auditory preferences, the Silent Sakura is ideal for those who prioritize quiet typing, while the Sunset Yellow appeals to users who appreciate a more pronounced and resonant sound.

In terms of feel, the Silent Sakura - 53g provides a smooth and satisfying keystroke, enhanced by its balanced 53g actuation force, making it suitable for typists who desire a light touch without sacrificing feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow distinguishes itself with a creamy and frictionless typing experience, attributed to its unique Ly stem design and factory lubrication. This results in incredibly smooth key travel and a polished feel, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. While the Silent Sakura offers a more traditional linear feel, the Sunset Yellow elevates the typing experience with its silky and refined characteristics.

In summary, both the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches present unique qualities tailored to different preferences. The Silent Sakura’s whisper-quiet operation offers an unobtrusive typing experience, while the Sunset Yellow caters to those who enjoy a deeper and richer sound coupled with an exceptionally smooth feel. Depending on your priorities—whether sound or tactile experience—either of these switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit in different ways.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you prioritize a quiet typing experience and often find yourself in shared spaces, the Silent Sakura switches are an excellent choice due to their whisper-quiet sound profile, which is ideal for late-night work sessions or office use. Their balanced 53g bottom out force delivers a light yet satisfying keystroke, making them suitable for prolonged typing without fatigue. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more tactile auditory experience paired with a smooth typing feel, the Sunset Yellow switches would be more to your liking. With their captivating bassy and thocky sound, they transform every keystroke into an indulgent experience, while their creamy and frictionless nature ensures that typing feels like a breeze. With a slightly lower bottom out force of 51g, these switches cater well to users who prefer a responsive and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, consider your typing style, the environments in which you use your keyboard, and the sensory experiences you value most to make the best choice between these two fantastic switches.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

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Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.09 per 10

Learn more