HC Studio Crabapple vs. HMX EMO
An in-depth look at the HC Studio Crabapple and the HMX EMO switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the HC Studio Crabapple and the HMX EMO mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Crabapple, a linear switch, stands out for its frictionless typing experience crafted entirely from POM. With a distinct dry smoothness and subtle texture felt with each downstroke, it provides a mild and understated sound signature. On the other hand, the EMO, also a linear switch, boasts a lively and clacky feel with a feather-light 46g bottom-out force. Exceptionally factory-lubed, it offers an effortless and bouncy typing experience. These differences make each switch appealing in their own right, depending on personal preferences. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
46g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the HC Studio Crabapple and the HMX EMO utilize different materials for both their top and bottom housings. The Crabapple features a POM top housing, known for creating a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the EMO uses a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound. The contrast between the two materials is evident in the sound profiles they create, with POM offering a more pleasing and unique sound, and polycarbonate providing a higher-pitched and clearer sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding an extra visual appeal.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Crabapple and EMO differ once again. The Crabapple utilizes a POM bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the EMO features a nylon bottom housing known for creating a duller and rounder sound. The choice of material for the bottom housing affects the overall typing experience, with POM providing a more impactful bottom-out sound and feel, and nylon offering a softer and more absorbing quality that leads to a rounder sound. This shows how the material used in the bottom housing can significantly impact the overall sound profile of a switch.
Overall, the choice of housing material for both the top and bottom of a switch plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and typing experience. While the Crabapple and EMO feature contrasting materials for their housings, they both aim to provide a unique and pleasing sound for users. Whether it's the deep and muted sound of POM in the Crabapple or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the EMO, each material offers its own advantages in creating a distinct typing experience. Understanding the properties of different housing materials can help users choose the switch that best suits their preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the HMX EMO linear switch, both switches have relatively light actuation and bottom out forces. The Crabapple has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the EMO has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience with minimal force required for key presses. Individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Crabapple due to its slightly lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, those who prefer a slightly more substantial typing experience may opt for the EMO with slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, those who enjoy a lighter touch will find similar results with either switch, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may lean towards the EMO.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the HMX EMO linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Crabapple has a slightly longer travel distance than the EMO, but both are relatively short compared to the traditional 4.0 mm standard. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the EMO for faster response times, while those who value a more substantial keypress may prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Crabapple. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for travel distance and keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
The HMX EMO comes in at $3.49 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
In terms of sound, the Crabapple linear switch offers a subdued sound when pressed, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature that is not completely silent but certainly less pronounced than most switches. On the other hand, the HMX EMO switch's sound characteristics are unknown, making it difficult to directly compare to the Crabapple in this aspect. Both switches, however, would likely produce relatively quiet typing experiences due to their linear nature.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crabapple linear switch is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience that minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, it has a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. The Crabapple also features a subtle texture felt with each downstroke. In contrast, the feel of the HMX EMO linear switch is not explicitly described, leaving us without direct information to compare to the qualities of the Crabapple switch.
Taking all available information into consideration, it can be concluded that the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the HMX EMO linear switch offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Crabapple is praised for its smooth, frictionless typing journey with a mild and understated sound, while the EMO boasts a lively and bouncy typing experience with a feather-light bottom-out force. While direct comparisons may be challenging due to the unknown feel and sound characteristics of the EMO switch, it is likely that both switches would provide a pleasant typing experience for users seeking linear switches with unique qualities. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference regarding sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the HMX EMO linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth and frictionless typing journey with a subtle sound signature, the Crabapple may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lively and bouncy typing experience with a clacky feel, the EMO switch might be more to your liking. Both switches offer a light bottom out force, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Take into account your typing style and what qualities you prioritize in a keyboard switch to make the best decision for your needs.
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