HMX Silent Sakura - 53g vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often comes down to personal preference, and two noteworthy options are the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Silent Sakura switch is designed for those who prioritize a quiet typing experience, delivering a gentle, whisper-soft response that mimics the soothing sound of raindrops. With a bottom-out force of 53g, it strikes a delightful balance between lightness and satisfaction, making it an excellent choice for typists who crave a serene work environment. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch presents a completely different typing experience, characterized by its deep, thocky sound profile that adds a rich acoustic element to every keystroke. Boasting a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring, the Tourmaline Blue caters to users looking for a more tactile and immersive typing experience, while its standard spring weight appeals to a broader audience. Both switches offer unique advantages tailored to different typing preferences; however, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, we see a distinct contrast in their top housings. The Silent Sakura utilizes a nylon top housing, which is recognized for its ability to generate a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic is largely attributed to nylon's softer properties that help absorb sound, creating a more muted and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing that is stiffer and more transparent, allowing for a sharper and crisper sound profile. The translucent quality of polycarbonate not only enhances sound clarity but also makes it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic dimension that is absent in the nylon housing of the Silent Sakura.
The bottom housings of both switches, however, are made of polycarbonate, leading to a significant similarity in auditory results between the two models. With polycarbonate being a solid and stiff material, both switches create a clear and resonant sound profile when bottoming out. This commonality suggests that the typing experience will share a level of crispness and clarity due to the polycarbonate's influence, irrespective of the contrasting top housing materials. Thus, while the Silent Sakura may have a deeper sound when typing, the impact of the bottom housing ensures that the overall sound experience, especially concerning bottoming out, will maintain that clear and resonant profile present in the Everglide Tourmaline Blue.
Ultimately, the differences in the top housing materials between the Silent Sakura and the Tourmaline Blue provide distinct auditory qualities, while the identical polycarbonate bottom housing harmonizes their overall sound profiles when typing. When a user presses down on either switch, they will experience the nuanced depth of the nylon top housing in the Silent Sakura, while the Tourmaline Blue’s polycarbonate top offers a brighter response. However, both switches will ultimately produce a clear and pronounced bottom-out sound, making them viable options for users who appreciate crisp acoustic feedback in their typing experience. Thus, while the switches possess unique characteristics, their combination of housing materials leads to a rich yet cohesive auditory performance.
Weight
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch present a clear contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Sakura has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it comparatively lighter and more suited for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience preferred by those who enjoy a stronger tactile feedback. Therefore, while both switches are linear, the Silent Sakura is designed for those who favor lighter feedback, whereas the Tourmaline Blue caters to users who prefer a heavier feeling and more pronounced actuation and bottoming out.
Travel distance
Both the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch share an identical travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on keys equipped with either switch. This uniformity in travel distance allows for comparable results in both typing and gaming scenarios, providing a consistent feel regardless of which switch is used. Ultimately, the equal travel distances of these switches contribute to their performance, making them suitable for users who prioritize a uniform keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g 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 HMX Silent Sakura - 53g embodies a soft and subdued auditory profile, characterized by a whisper-quiet operation that echoes the gentle sound of raindrops. This makes them particularly appealing for those who wish to type without disturbing their surroundings. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch presents a deeper and more resonant sound profile, known for its satisfying thocky quality. This rich sound can create a more immersive typing experience, especially appreciated by those who enjoy a pronounced auditory feedback. While the Silent Sakura is tailored for quiet environments, the Tourmaline Blue caters to users looking for a more engaging auditory experience, making the choice dependent on the user’s preference for sound in their typing environment.
Regarding feel, the Silent Sakura - 53g is designed to provide a light but satisfying keystroke, promoting comfortable typing without the noise associated with typical mechanical switches. This switch is likely aimed at users who value a smooth, unobtrusive typing feel. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a buttery feel, delivering a fluid typing sensation that is easy to press owing to its gentle resistance during key activation. This quality minimizes finger fatigue, making it an excellent choice for prolonged typing sessions. While the Silent Sakura may lend itself to a more gentle typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue provides a more dynamic and enjoyable keystroke, allowing users to choose between subtlety and a lively typing rhythm.
In conclusion, both the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have distinct qualities that cater to varied user preferences. The Silent Sakura excels in delivering a quiet typing experience, making it suitable for environments where noise is a concern, while the Tourmaline Blue offers engaging sound and a smooth, effortless keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound isolation or a more pronounced auditory and tactile feedback during typing.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch, it’s essential to consider your personal typing preferences and environment. If you value a quiet typing experience and work in a shared space where noise might be an issue, the Silent Sakura - 53g is a superb choice. Its medium-light bottom-out force of 53g provides a gentle yet responsive feel, making it ideal for extended typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more tactile and engaging typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue switch is likely to resonate with you. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67g, along with a buttery and bouncy feel, delivers a satisfying thocky sound profile that many find enjoyable. The Tourmaline Blues cater well to both beginners and advanced users who prefer a more pronounced feedback while typing, making them versatile for various situations, whether at home or in an office. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your need for comfort, typing feedback, and sound level to achieve the best keyboard experience tailored to your style.
Mentioned in this article
