Aflion Panda vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo, both of which belong to the tactile switch category. The Aflion Panda is best known for its unparalleled, hyper-tactile sensation and profound "thocky" sound profile. It offers a super responsive tactile force, paired with a deep, resonant audio feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. These switches offer a medium light tactility, striking the perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. While these general aspects can help guide your decision, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo, it becomes clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This choice of material gives them both a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through due to its translucency. So in terms of the top housing, both the Panda and the Oreo will produce similar results.
However, where they differ is in their bottom housings. The Panda utilizes nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is a relatively softer plastic, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Oreo utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well. This means that the Oreo's bottom housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, similar to its top housing.
It's important to note that the qualities each housing material brings to the switch are distributed between the top and bottom. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. So while both the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo share similarities in terms of their polycarbonate top housing, their differences lie in the nylon bottom housing of the Panda and the additional polycarbonate housing of the Oreo.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, we can observe a few key differences. The Panda switch has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which can be considered medium in terms of weight. On the other hand, the Oreo switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Oreo switch would be a suitable choice as it requires a lighter force to trigger a keystroke. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or intense gaming sessions where fatigue may become a factor. On the contrary, those who prefer a more substantial and substantial typing experience may find the Panda switch more appealing, as it requires a slightly heavier force to actuate and bottom out.
While the actuation and bottom out forces differ slightly between the two switches, both fall into the medium weight range. Therefore, if the weight difference is not a prominent factor in decision-making, both switches can provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch are the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same amount of distance as the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo switches will provide similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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 Aflion Panda tactile switch is known for its resounding and immersive auditory experience. Typing on these switches will result in a clean and sharp sound profile, with a higher-pitched tone. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers a unique acoustic signature, described as chirpy. These switches have a subtle squeak to them, setting them apart from other switches. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, both the Aflion Panda and the Everglide Oreo switches are described as accented. This means that they provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the Panda switch is described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Oreo switch is described as stepped. This means that it has a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving it a different tactile experience compared to the Panda switch.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda tactile switch stands out for its hyper-tactile sensation and deep thocky sound profile. It offers a super responsive tactile force and a full-bodied audio feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. Its sound profile is described as subtle and mellow. Both switches offer medium light tactility, striking a balance between satisfying keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience. While they have their own unique qualities, they share similarities in terms of being accented switches with prominent tactility. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value an unparalleled, hyper-tactile sensation and a deep thocky sound profile, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it provides a medium level of resistance. This switch offers a resonant sound profile, characterized by a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. In terms of feel, the Panda switch is described as accented and invigorating, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you prefer a delightful cushioned sensation when typing and a palatable medium-light tactility, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is the perfect fit. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a slightly lighter resistance. The Oreo switch provides a chirpy sound profile, which adds a unique acoustic signature to your typing experience. Similar to the Panda, it is also described as accented, but additionally has a stepped feel, giving a milder tactile sensation. Ultimately, your decision between the two switches will depend on your preference for sound, feel, and bottom out force.
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