Jwick Splash Brothers vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Jwick Splash Brothers and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Jwick Splash Brothers and the HMX Twilight offers distinct advantages that cater to different typing preferences. The Splash Brothers, akin to the basketball legends Steph and Klay, shines with its shorter activation point and long pole stem, delivering a quick and satisfying typing experience accompanied by a creamy sound profile. This switch falls into a diverse category that emphasizes a neutral and polished feel, making it ideal for those seeking swift response times without sacrificing comfort. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight impresses with its extended 3.85mm travel distance, which not only contributes to a subtly quieter operation but also retains the signature clacky characteristics beloved by its users. This switch is characterized as 'bouncy', appealing to typists who enjoy a bit more feedback in their keystrokes. While both switches have unique features that may attract different users, they each offer compelling reasons to choose one over the other. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.85 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Splash Brothers and HMX Twilight employ distinct materials for their top housing, leading to differing sound profiles and overall typing experiences. The Splash Brothers utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Polycarbonate is noted for its rigidity, resulting in a more resonant audio experience, particularly beneficial for users who appreciate a clear feedback with each keystroke. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic flair to the keyboard. In contrast, the Twilight employs a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Being a softer plastic, nylon tends to absorb some of the sound energy, leading to a rounder and less sharp auditory feedback, which can be preferable for those seeking a more muted typing experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Splash Brothers and the Twilight utilize nylon, resulting in a unified sound profile in that aspect of the switch design. Nylon's inherent properties generate a deeper and fuller auditory response, irrespective of the top housing material. This commonality means that while the tops of the switches will deliver distinctly different sound experiences, the bottoms will harmonize to provide a consistent resonance during typing. The use of nylon in both switches indicates that the impact of the bottom housing will be significant in shaping the overall sound and feel when keys bottom out, creating a shared ground for both models even with the contrasting top materials.
In summary, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the housing of the Splash Brothers produces a unique typing experience characterized by crispness and clarity, while the HMX Twilight offers a fuller and softer sound profile due to its nylon top housing. This distinction highlights how the choice of top housing can influence the auditory feedback upon releasing a key, while the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both switches achieve a solid foundation in sound quality. Ultimately, despite the differences between the top materials, both switches will provide a deeply satisfying typing experience, showcasing how thoughtful choices in housing materials can yield varied yet complementary results.
Weight
When comparing the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, we see differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Splash Brothers has an unknown actuation force but features a bottom out force of 48 grams, while the Twilight has an actuation force of 42 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Splash Brothers lighter, particularly considering that both switches are classified as lightweight. The actuation force of the Splash Brothers being unspecified means that users may enjoy a similar typing experience in terms of key feel, but performance is likely dependent on the actual required force for activation. Users who prefer a softer touch and lighter feel might lean towards the Splash Brothers, while those who favor a bit more resistance may gravitate towards the Twilight. Overall, the Splash Brothers offers a more ambiguous tactile feedback due to the unknown actuation force, while the Twilight provides a definitive, yet still light, actuation force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there is a clear distinction between the two. The Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Twilight boasts a longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This makes the Splash Brothers the shorter option, which could appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times due to the reduced distance needed to actuate the switch. Conversely, the Twilight, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper key press. In essence, choosing between these switches largely depends on individual preferences: if you favor a more responsive feel, the Splash Brothers would be the ideal choice, whereas those who appreciate a more pronounced key depth might lean towards the Twilight.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 Splash Brothers linear switch features a creamy sound signature that can lend a pleasing auditory experience during typing. This neutral profile is well-suited for both casual and professional environments, adapting well to various use cases. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switch has an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which contributes to a slightly quieter operation, while still maintaining the classic clacky characteristics that define HMX switches. Ultimately, both switches offer distinctive sound profiles that can be influenced by external factors like the keyboard chassis and keycap choice.
In terms of feel, the Splash Brothers switch offers a multifaceted typing experience. Described as mild yet snappy, it combines gentle resistance with responsive feedback, making it suitable for all types of users. The additional bouncy quality gives the typing experience a lively vibration, enhancing the overall engagement with each keystroke. Conversely, the Twilight switch is characterized mainly by its bounce, providing an elastic feedback sensation that makes the keys feel active and responsive. While both switches contribute to an engaging typing feel, the Splash Brothers offers a more varied experience that includes both snappiness and subtlety compared to the more singular focus of the Twilight.
In summary, the Jwick Splash Brothers and HMX Twilight linear switches present distinct auditory and tactile qualities. The Splash Brothers boast a creamy sound signature with a versatile and dynamic typing feel that balances gentleness with responsiveness. In contrast, the Twilight provides a quieter experience with a straightforward bouncy feel. Both switches can deliver satisfying performance, but they cater to different user preferences — whether one seeks a broader range of sensations or a specific responsive bounce.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the choice between the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately hinges on your preferences regarding typing feel and sound. If you desire a lighter touch and a switch that promotes a more dynamic typing experience, the Splash Brothers is an excellent option. Its shorter activation, combined with a creamy sound signature and mild, bouncy feel, makes it ideal for gamers and typists who appreciate snappy responsiveness without being overly harsh. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a bit more travel distance and subtlety while still retaining a lively feedback, the Twilight might be the better choice. With its extended travel and slightly quieter characteristics, it suits those who value a balanced blend between performance and a comfortable, less intrusive typing experience. So, whether you're diving into intense gaming sessions or tackling long hours of productivity, consider what you prioritize in your typing experience, and choose accordingly.
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