HMX Jammy vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Jammy and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offer unique experiences for users. The Jammy, a linear switch, is renowned for its softer nylon housings that provide a muted yet deeply satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, also a linear switch, stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, along with a silky typing feel and light diffuser for enhanced RGB illumination. While both switches have their own strengths and characteristics, such as medium-weight for the Jammy and a unique light diffuser for the Lightning Silver V3, choosing between them ultimately depends on individual preferences and typing needs. 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
57g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Jammy and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Jammy's nylon top and bottom housing provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate top and bottom housing produce a sharper and crisper sound, as polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a more clear and resonant sound. While both materials have their own distinct qualities, they both contribute to enhancing the overall sound experience of the switches.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the two switches also play a role. The Jammy's nylon housing is more opaque, which may appeal to users looking for a more classic and traditional look. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate housing is clear, allowing for RGB lighting to shine through and creating a visually appealing effect. The choice between the two housing materials may come down to personal preference in terms of design and lighting preferences.
Overall, both the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials. While the nylon housing of the Jammy provides a deeper and fuller sound, the polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 offers a sharper and crisper sound. Users can choose between the two based on their preference for sound characteristics as well as aesthetic considerations such as opacity or clarity for RGB lighting effects. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with different sound profiles to suit varying preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, a notable difference can be seen. The Jammy has a slightly heavier actuation force of 57 grams compared to the Lightning Silver V3's 48 grams, making the Jammy a bit more resistant to accidental keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jammy requires 63 grams while the Lightning Silver V3 only needs 60 grams, making the latter easier to fully press down. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of force, but the Lightning Silver V3 leans towards the lighter side, which may be preferred for extended typing sessions or gaming where finger fatigue is a concern. In contrast, the Jammy provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference for typing feel and desired resistance.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices among gamers for their quick response times. The Jammy offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a bit more depth and feedback compared to the Lightning Silver V3. However, the difference of 0.3 mm between the two switches is minimal and may not be significant in terms of overall performance. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference for the slight difference in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The HMX Jammy 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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Jammy linear switch provides a softer and muted typing experience due to its nylon housings, resulting in a deeply satisfying sound profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound when pressed, creating a sharp and crisp auditory feedback. Depending on personal preference, the Jammy switch provides a more subtle and subdued sound, while the Lightning Silver V3 delivers a more vibrant and tactile experience with its distinct sound signature.
In terms of feel, the HMX Jammy switch's typing experience is described as providing a medium-weight feel, offering a comfortable and satisfying typing sensation. The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch, on the other hand, is noted for its silky smooth feel, ensuring an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches prioritize comfort and smoothness, but the Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its enhanced typing feel with its silky switch design.
Overall, the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Jammy switch excels in providing a muted and satisfying sound profile with a medium-weight feel, while the Lightning Silver V3 delivers a clacky and high-pitched sound along with a silky smooth typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer distinctive options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Whether choosing the Jammy for its softer sound or the Lightning Silver V3 for its vibrant typing experience, both switches are sure to provide a premium mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you're looking for a medium-weight linear switch with a typing experience that's muted and deeply satisfying, the HMX Jammy linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, along with a silky smooth typing experience and enhanced RGB illumination, then the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch would be the better option for you. Consider your sound and feel preferences, as well as the added feature of RGB illumination, when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and aesthetic preferences.
Mentioned in this article
