HMX Sunset Gleam vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow

Overview

When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often examine the nuances that can enhance their typing experience, such as sound profile, tactile feedback, and response time. The HMX Sunset Gleam, also affectionately known as the Duck Duck switch, is celebrated for its finely tuned materials that offer a delightful top-out with a satisfying clack, enhanced by the exceptional factory lube that HMX is renowned for. This switch is ideal for users seeking a blend of performance and auditory satisfaction. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow presents a vibrant alternative with its Creamsicle color and a captivating sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. Known for its bassy and indulgent audio profile, the Sunset Yellow features a unique Ly stem and a proprietary lubrication method, promoting a smooth, frictionless feel. This switch's medium weight makes it accessible for a variety of typists, particularly those who enjoy a sharper, highly responsive experience. While both switches have their strengths, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. 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 Sunset Gleam Linear

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.09 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When it comes to the housing materials used in the HMX Sunset Gleam and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches, there are notable distinctions that impact their sound profiles. The Sunset Gleam features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharper and crisper sound reproduction. This characteristic arises from the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which contributes to a clearer and more resonant auditory experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow employs a POM top housing, praised for producing a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials contribute to the overall sound experience, the polycarbonate of the Sunset Gleam tends to enhance brightness, while the POM of the Sunset Yellow offers a more subdued richness.

The bottom housing materials also diverge, with the Sunset Gleam utilizing nylon and the Sunset Yellow opting for POM. Nylon is characterized by its softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound and creates a fuller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, POM offers a uniquely pleasing auditory experience but on a deeper and more muted level, similar to what is present in the Sunset Yellow's top housing. These differences in bottom housing materials play a crucial role in the overall feel and sound of the switch, emphasizing how the nylon in the Sunset Gleam can produce a distinctly noteworthy typing experience compared to the more balanced yet subdued feel of the Everglide Sunset Yellow.

Even though the Sunset Gleam and the Sunset Yellow feature different materials for both the top and bottom housings, users can still achieve a similar acoustic experience through careful arrangement and combination of the switches. For instance, the sharper sound from the polycarbonate material in the Sunset Gleam can be complemented by the deeper tones of the nylon, while the POM material in the Sunset Yellow can imbue a richness to both its top and bottom sounds. As a result, while each switch has its unique sound signature influenced by its specific housing materials, some users may appreciate the harmonious blend of profiles delivered by both models, depending on their individual preferences for typing feel and sound.

Weight

The HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch present a notable comparison in their actuation and bottom-out forces. The Sunset Gleam features an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom-out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom-out force of 51 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that while both switches are relatively close in terms of feel, the Sunset Gleam offers a marginally lighter push, which can be advantageous for users who favor longer typing sessions or extensive gaming without fatigue. Conversely, the Sunset Yellow's heavier forces may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial tactile feedback when typing, enhancing their overall typing experience. Ultimately, if you're looking for a lighter switch, the HMX Sunset Gleam is the better choice, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow offers a heavier feel for those who prefer it.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, a clear distinction emerges. The Sunset Gleam features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the longer option, while the Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This difference may influence user preference depending on their typing or gaming style; the shorter Sunset Yellow provides a more responsive feel, appealing to those looking for quicker actuation, whereas the Sunset Gleam's longer travel might be favored by users who enjoy a more pronounced depth in their key presses. Overall, selecting between the two depends on individual preferences for response times and tactile depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the HMX Sunset Gleam switch is known for its subtle top-out and satisfying clack, which indicates a pleasant auditory feedback when typing. This sound profile can be characterized by a balance of clarity and depth, providing an engaging typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a rich, bassy sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, often described as thocky, producing a deeper, recessed tone with a satisfying thud. Both switches’ sound characteristics can be affected by the keyboard’s construction and the type of keycaps used, but the Sunset Gleam brings a more subtle audibility while the Sunset Yellow delivers a bolder, fuller resonance.

In terms of feel, the HMX Sunset Gleam switch is celebrated for its excellent factory lube, providing a smooth typing experience that many users would find appealing. The Sunset Yellow, on the other hand, is known for its creamy, frictionless touch, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. It boasts a polished feel due to the unique materials and manufacturing processes, adding to a refined experience with minimal resistance. The Sunset Gleam may offer a more straightforward smoothness compared to the richly textured, luxurious sensation present in the Sunset Yellow’s design, which enhances its overall typing pleasure.

In summary, while both the HMX Sunset Gleam and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches offer engaging experiences, they cater to slightly different preferences. The Gleam tends toward a subtler sound and smooth feel, making it suitable for users who prefer understated feedback. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow provides a richer, thocky sound accompanied by a creamy, frictionless keystroke, appealing to those who enjoy a more indulgent typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for auditory and tactile sensations, either switch can satisfy the demands of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch will greatly depend on your typing preferences and intended use. If you prefer a lighter touch and a typing experience marked by subtle top-out and satisfying clack, the HMX Sunset Gleam with its 48-gram actuation force may be right for you. It’s especially suited for casual typing or gaming, where rapid key presses and a tactile feedback can enhance your experience. This switch also benefits from excellent factory lubing, ensuring smooth key travel that many find enjoyable for long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you desire a richer and deeper sound profile, along with a slightly heavier feel for more defined key presses, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch, with its 51-gram force, is an enticing option. The bassy and thocky sound it produces, combined with its creamy and frictionless feel, creates an indulgent typing experience that some enthusiasts may prefer for both typing and gaming. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether you value a lighter touch and subtle sounds or a more robust typing experience with richer acoustics.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Sunset Gleam Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.09 per 10

Learn more