Everglide Sunset Yellow vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice can significantly impact your typing or gaming experience, and two popular options to consider are the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Vintage Citrus, both of which are linear switches. The Sunset Yellow is celebrated for its rich, bassy sound profile and its unique Ly stem design, which, coupled with a proprietary lube method, offers a creamy and frictionless feel that many users find satisfying. This switch appeals to a broad audience due to its medium-weight characteristics, making it well-suited for both typing and casual gaming. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus is engineered with gamers in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm that allows for lightning-fast key presses, perfect for rapid-fire gaming scenarios. Its bright, clacky sound profile and smooth performance cater to users seeking both speed and auditory feedback during gameplay. Each switch has its own strengths: the Sunset Yellow for a more indulgent and tactile experience, and the Vintage Citrus for stunning efficiency in fast-paced environments. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
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 single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches both utilize materials that significantly influence their acoustics and user experience. The Sunset Yellow features POM (Polyoxymethylene) as both its top and bottom housing material, which is known for creating a deep and somewhat muted sound profile. This characteristic results in a unique auditory experience that is pleasing to many users. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switches employ nylon for both the top and bottom housing, a classic material that also fosters a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, has the capacity to absorb more sound, leading to a rounder auditory profile. While both switches aim for a similar deeper sound, the manner in which they achieve it through different materials creates varying sound qualities.
When comparing the bottom housings of both switches, we see that the Sunset Yellow's POM housing and the Vintage Citrus's nylon housing contribute differently to the overall feel and sound during keystrokes. POM typically lends a more muted and distinct auditory experience, while nylon is designed to dampen sound further, creating an overall experience that is more subdued and rounded. As the bottom housing plays a critical role in the bottom-out sound and feel, the Sunset Yellow may provide a more pronounced actuation, whereas the Vintage Citrus offers a softer feel overall. Thus, while both switches yield a deep sound, the differences in material lead to a divergent tactile experience.
Additionally, the top housings of the switches further modify the auditory output when the keys are released. The POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow focuses on delivering a unique tonal quality during key release, maintaining a consistent sound profile that aligns with the bottom housing's muted characteristics. Conversely, the nylon top housing of the Vintage Citrus will affect the release sound, producing a slightly softer echo due to the sound absorption properties of nylon. In conclusion, while both switch types yield deeper sound profiles synonymous with muted acoustics, the interaction between the top and bottom materials in each switch determines the resultant key feel and auditory experience—meaning that users opting for either switch may enjoy similar depths in sound, albeit with differing tactile nuances.
Weight
The Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch both fall into the medium-light category, but they differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Sunset Yellow has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, making it the lighter option compared to the Vintage Citrus, which requires 48 grams to trigger a keystroke and bottoms out at 53 grams. This slight difference in force may appeal to users who prefer a lighter switch for longer typing or gaming sessions; however, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might gravitate towards the Vintage Citrus for its heavier feel. Overall, while both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, the Sunset Yellow is better suited for those who favor ease of use over weight, whereas the Vintage Citrus offers a heftier option for those who appreciate stronger resistance in their keystrokes.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there's a distinct difference to note. The Sunset Yellow boasts a travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the Vintage Citrus offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that if you prefer a more immediate feedback and responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus might be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. Conversely, if you appreciate a deeper keystroke that provides a more substantial feel, the Sunset Yellow, with its longer travel distance, would likely suit your preferences better. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you lean towards a more brisk, rapid activation or a more pronounced keystroke feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 considering sound, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating auditory experience marked by a rich, bassy profile that echoes the sound of mahjong tiles. This thocky quality produces a satisfying deep "thud" upon key presses, enhancing the overall typing experience with a certain indulgence. In contrast, details regarding the sound profile of the HMX Vintage Citrus switch remain unspecified, leaving a gap in understanding how it might compare. If sound is a priority for you, it’s important to test these switches in your keyboard setup to see how differences in sound interact with your chosen board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Sunset Yellow switch is celebrated for its creamy and frictionless characteristics, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience that glides effortlessly underneath your fingers. The polished finish of these switches ensures minimal resistance during key presses, contributing to a refined touch that many typists and gamers alike appreciate. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch lacks detailed descriptions of its feel qualities, rendering it difficult to draw a direct comparison. However, given the design intention of rapid-fire inputs, one can infer it may prioritize a streamlined, responsive touch ideal for fast-paced gaming.
In conclusion, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch is characterized by a rich and thocky sound, alongside an exceptionally smooth and polished typing feel, making it suitable for users who enjoy a deeper auditory experience and a luxurious touch. Meanwhile, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch remains somewhat of an enigma in sound and tactile feel, lacking detailed subjective descriptions. For those exploring mechanical keyboards, the Sunset Yellow promises indulgent sensory qualities, while the performance-oriented attributes of the Vintage Citrus may attract gamers looking for speed. Ultimately, testing both switches in your own setup will provide the best insight into their performance and characteristics.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Everglide Sunset Yellow and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches, consider your primary preferences and needs. If you seek a switch that offers a rich, bassy sound with smooth, creamy feel and a responsive typing experience, the Sunset Yellow is an excellent choice. Its captivating audio profile paired with the distinct gliding sensation allows for a satisfying typing experience, making it suitable for both casual typing and more immersive gaming scenarios. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and rapid key presses, particularly if you’re focused on gaming, the Vintage Citrus switch stands out with its exceptionally low actuation distance and bright, clacky sound profile. This switch is designed for quick-fire inputs, enhancing your gaming performance with its smooth push feel. Ultimately, your decision will hinge on whether you value a richer auditory experience and a luxurious typing feel or a swifter, more responsive switch tailored for fast-paced gameplay.
Mentioned in this article
