Gateron Aliaz vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz and the Everglide Oreo mechanical keyboard switches, it's evident that both offer unique qualities for different preferences. The Aliaz switch is well-suited for quiet environments such as the office, providing a medium-heavy weight for a substantial typing feel without the noise. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switch offers a crisp and responsive tactile bump, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, creating a satisfying keystroke with a subtle sound profile. While the Aliaz switch is categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', the Oreo switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Chirpy', and 'Stepped'. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
75g
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
No
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and Everglide Oreo both utilize polycarbonate for their top and bottom housing materials, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to other plastic materials. This stiffness of polycarbonate creates a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for switches intended for use with RGB lighting due to its translucency. Both switches offer a consistent and aesthetically pleasing sound profile thanks to the use of polycarbonate in their construction.
While the housing materials are the same for both the Aliaz and Oreo switches, the key difference lies in the design and branding of each switch. The Aliaz switch is well-known for its smooth and tactile feel, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and gamers alike. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switch is praised for its unique design and customization options, offering a different typing experience compared to the Aliaz. Despite the differences in branding and design, both switches still provide a satisfying typing experience thanks to the shared use of polycarbonate housing materials.
In conclusion, the similarities between the Gateron Aliaz and Everglide Oreo switches lie in their housing materials, with both switches featuring polycarbonate top and bottom housing for a consistent and resonant sound profile. While the design and branding may differ between the two switches, both offer a tactile and satisfying typing experience that is enhanced by the qualities of polycarbonate. Whether you prefer the smooth feel of the Aliaz or the unique design of the Oreo, both switches excel in providing a high-quality typing experience for users seeking a reliable and responsive switch option.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Everglide Oreo tactile switch. The Aliaz requires 60 grams to actuate and 75 grams to bottom out, making it a heavier option. On the other hand, the Oreo only needs 45 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, making it a lighter option in comparison. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Aliaz may be the better choice, while those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Oreo. In both cases, users will obtain similar results in terms of feel and performance, as both switches cater to different preferences in actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch have 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 travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that the typing experience on both switches will be consistent in terms of feedback and keypress actuation. However, despite this, it is worth noting that the Aliaz and Oreo switches may differ in other aspects such as actuation force and overall feel. Therefore, while the travel distance remains the same, users may still have a preference for one switch over the other based on these other factors. Ultimately, both switches offer a reliable typing experience with a consistent travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch provides a muted typing experience, making it ideal for quiet environments such as offices. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch produces a chirpy sound profile, adding a unique acoustic signature to the typing experience. Both switches offer different auditory feedback, with the Aliaz emphasizing silence and the Oreo showcasing a subtle, mellow sound.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch offers a silky and polished typing experience, providing exceptionally smooth key presses and reduced friction. This results in a sleek and refined typing feel, appealing to those who enjoy a buttery smooth typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is described as accented and stepped, offering a medium tactile feedback with a prominent amount of tactility. The switch provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, striking a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfort.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy weight, while the Oreo delights users with a unique chirpy sound and a medium light tactility. Whether you prefer a silent and refined typing feel or a crisp tactile bump with cushioned bottoming out, both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard and your personal preferences. If you are looking for a switch that provides a substantial feel with a medium-heavy weight and is tailored for quiet environments like the office, the Aliaz switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light tactility with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned bottom out sensation, then the Oreo switch could be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs.
Mentioned in this article
