Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Swift both offer unique qualities to consider. The Lightning Silver V3 is praised for its clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a satisfying typing experience with its silky smoothness and enhanced RGB illumination. On the other hand, the HMX Swift stands out for its deeper sound profile and delicate 42g actuation force, offering a feathery and bouncy feel while typing. While the Lightning Silver V3 leans towards a more vibrant and clacky sound, the HMX Swift provides a smoother and creamier typing experience. 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
48g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Swift, it is clear that both switches prioritize sound quality and aesthetics. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This also allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch. In contrast, the Swift opts for a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound. While both materials have their unique benefits, the choice between polycarbonate and nylon ultimately comes down to personal preference and desired sound characteristics.
The bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 and the Swift also differ in material, with the former utilizing polycarbonate and the latter utilizing nylon. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Swift adds to a deeper and fuller sound experience, complementing its nylon top housing. The split between top and bottom housing materials ensures that both switches offer a balanced combination of sharpness and depth in sound quality, catering to a variety of preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
While the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Swift may differ, both switches aim to provide an optimal typing experience through their carefully chosen materials. Whether it is the stiffer polycarbonate for a sharper sound profile or the softer nylon for a deeper sound profile, each material has its own unique contribution to the overall typing sensation. Regardless of the differences in materials, users can expect a high level of quality and attention to detail in both switches, ensuring a satisfying and personalized typing experience for enthusiasts looking for a premium mechanical keyboard solution.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Lightning Silver V3 has a higher actuation force of 48 grams and a higher bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight option. In contrast, the HMX Swift features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a lower bottom out force of 50 grams, giving it a lighter feel overall. The difference in weight between the two switches caters to different preferences - those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Swift, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may prefer the Lightning Silver V3. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience and feel of the switches, with lighter options allowing for longer typing sessions and heavier options providing a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. In this case, the Lightning Silver V3 has a shorter travel distance compared to the Swift. The shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm on the Lightning Silver V3 would provide a quicker response time, which could be preferred by gamers looking for speed and efficiency. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of 3.9 mm on the HMX Swift may offer a more substantial and tactile feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for either a shorter or longer 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 Swift has an MSRP of $3.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $3.45.
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
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp sound when typing. This sound signature adds a sense of tactility and responsiveness to the typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch offers a deeper sound profile due to its full nylon housings, resulting in a smoother and more subtle typing sound. Both switches provide unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Lightning Silver V3 offering a brighter and more percussive sound, while the Swift delivers a richer and deeper tone.
In terms of feel, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, offering minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This enhances the overall smoothness of typing, providing a seamless and effortless typing feel. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch is described as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy, offering a light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue and provides a comfortable typing experience. Both switches excel in providing a smooth and responsive typing feel, with the Lightning Silver V3 focusing on silky smoothness and the Swift emphasizing ease of typing with a light touch.
Overall, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and HMX Swift switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, paired with a silky smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch stands out with its deeper sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 for a bright and sharp typing experience or the HMX Swift for a deeper and smoother typing feel. Both switches provide unique characteristics that enhance the overall typing experience, ensuring a satisfying choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Swift linear switches, consider your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clacky and high-pitched sound with a medium bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper sound profile with a lighter and smoother keystroke experience, the HMX Swift with its light actuation force and various feel options such as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy, might be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel while typing.
Mentioned in this article
