Everglide Sunset Yellow vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Swift both offer unique experiences for users. The Sunset Yellow, a linear switch, is praised for its Creamsicle-colored design and captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. With a rich and bassy sound, typing on the Sunset Yellow becomes an indulgent experience, thanks to its medium weight and distinct gliding feel. On the other hand, the HMX Swift, another linear switch, stands out with its deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, attributed to its full nylon housings. With a delicate 42g actuation force, the Swift provides a unique typing experience. Both switches have their own set of characteristics that make them appealing choices for different users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Swift both use unique housing materials in their switches. The Sunset Yellow features a POM top and bottom housing, known for creating a pleasing and deep sound profile that is relatively muted. In contrast, the Swift utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, which also produces a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Despite their differences in material, both switches result in a similar deeper sound profile, offering users a satisfying typing experience.
While the Sunset Yellow and the HMX Swift share similarities in producing a deeper sound profile, they differ in the specific qualities of their housing materials. The POM housing of the Sunset Yellow creates a unique sound that leans towards the muted side, while the nylon housing of the Swift produces a fuller and rounder sound. This contrast in sound profiles can influence the typing experience for users, with the Sunset Yellow offering a more subtle and pleasing sound compared to the Swift's deeper and fuller sound profile.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Swift ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and typing feel. The POM housing of the Sunset Yellow may appeal to those who prefer a more muted and unique sound, while the nylon housing of the Swift caters to users looking for a deeper and fuller typing experience. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, with the top and bottom housing materials playing a crucial role in shaping the overall sound profile of each switch.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch to the HMX Swift linear switch, there are some notable differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Sunset Yellow has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In comparison, the Swift has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is slightly lighter. The Sunset Yellow requires a slightly higher force to trigger a keystroke, but the difference is minimal. Both switches provide a smooth and consistent typing experience, with the Swift being slightly lighter in terms of overall force required. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or slightly heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. In this case, the Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance compared to the Swift. The shorter travel distance of the Sunset Yellow may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Swift may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile and in-depth typing experience. Both switches offer unique benefits, so choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
The Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offers a bassy and thocky sound profile, providing a deep and rich auditory experience reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. In contrast, the HMX Swift linear switch delivers a clacky sound with a sharp and snappy quality, thanks to its full nylon housings. Depending on personal preference and the setup of your keyboard and keycaps, each switch will produce a unique sound signature that can enhance the overall typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch provides a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, allowing for smooth and effortless keystrokes with minimal resistance. The unique Ly stem and factory lube method contribute to this distinct gliding sensation, ensuring a pleasurable typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch offers an easy-to-press, feathery, and bouncy feel that reduces finger fatigue and provides a responsive typing experience. By combining a light actuation force with a silky smoothness, the Swift switch offers a comfortable and low-impact typing feel suitable for extended use.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a switch with a deep and rich sound profile along with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a sharper and snappier sound coupled with an easy-to-press and feathery typing feel, the HMX Swift linear switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a deeper and richer sound profile with a bassy and thocky sound, along with a smooth and buttery typing experience described as creamy, frictionless, and polished, then the Sunset Yellow might be the ideal choice for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a lighter actuation force with a silky smooth sound profile described as clacky, along with an easy-to-press and feathery feel that reduces finger fatigue, then the HMX Swift linear switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice should align with your personal typing preferences and what aspects of the typing experience matter most to you.
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