Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Everglide Bamboo Green
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Everglide Bamboo Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Everglide Bamboo Green. The Baby Kangaroo is renowned for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and a unique marbley sound profile. With a categorization including descriptors like clacky, marbly, high-pitched, resonant, snappy, bouncy, and polished, these switches offer a truly distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green switches are well-known for their clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility. Classified as stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished, they provide a different and equally satisfying feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Everglide Bamboo Green have different housing materials that result in distinct differences in sound profiles. The Baby Kangaroo features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that allows for a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Bamboo Green has a PBT top housing that offers a more neutral sound profile. While it may not be as crisp, it also avoids sounding dull. Both switches, however, offer the benefit of translucency, making them suitable for RGB lighting enthusiasts.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Baby Kangaroo utilizes a nylon material, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In comparison, the Bamboo Green incorporates a PBT bottom housing that also offers a neutral sound profile. Similar to the top housing, the Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing does not provide a crisp sound but also avoids sounding dull.
Interestingly, the impact of the housing material differs depending on which part of the switch is being used. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have more influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite their disparities in housing material, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Everglide Bamboo Green deliver their distinctive sound profiles, ensuring a pleasant typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch, it is evident that both switches provide a satisfying typing experience. The actuation force of the Baby Kangaroo is slightly heavier at 59 grams compared to the Bamboo Green's 43 grams, making the Baby Kangaroo require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have a medium level of actuation force, allowing for a comfortable typing experience without too much effort.
In terms of bottom out force, the Baby Kangaroo has a heavier measure of 67 grams compared to the Bamboo Green's 62 grams. This means that when pressing the keys all the way down, the Baby Kangaroo switch provides a slightly more substantial typing experience. However, the difference in bottom out force between the two switches is relatively minor, and both still fall under the medium category.
Considering weight, the Baby Kangaroo can be considered slightly heavier than the Bamboo Green in terms of actuation and bottom out force. This additional weight may appeal to users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. However, for those who favor a lighter switch, the Bamboo Green provides a lighter actuation force while still maintaining a medium level of bottom out force.
Ultimately, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Everglide Bamboo Green switches offer a desirable typing experience. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier switch, both options accommodate different preferences. This makes it possible to achieve similar results with either switch, ensuring extended typing sessions or satisfying gaming experiences based on individual preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch, it is clear that the Baby Kangaroo has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Bamboo Green has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Baby Kangaroo falls into the category of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers due to their faster response times. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green offers a greater depth of travel, which some individuals may prefer for a more satisfying key press. Both options have their merits depending on personal preference for responsiveness or a deeper key press experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
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 Baby Kangaroo switch is known for its clacky and marbly sound profile. When pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. It also has a resonant and high-pitched sound that offers an immersive and clean auditory experience. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green switch is also described as having a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. Both switches share similar sound characteristics with their high-pitched and clean sound profiles. However, the Baby Kangaroo switch offers a unique marbly sound that adds a touch of elegance to the overall auditory experience. It's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Baby Kangaroo switch is known for being snappy, bouncy, and polished. It provides a super responsive typing experience with a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. The keys have a lively feel, offering rebound when pressed. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. It offers a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It provides a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It also has a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. Like the Baby Kangaroo switch, the Bamboo Green switch also offers a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, the Baby Kangaroo and Bamboo Green switches share some similarities in terms of sound and feel. They both have a high-pitched and clean sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. They also offer a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. However, the Baby Kangaroo switch stands out with its unique marbly sound profile, adding an extra dimension of elegance to the auditory experience. The Bamboo Green switch, on the other hand, offers a stepped tactile feel with a prominent amount of tactility. Both switches provide a responsive typing experience, but the specific tactile feedback and sensations may vary. Therefore, if you enjoy a high-pitched and clean sound profile with a polished feel, both switches can offer similar results. However, if you're looking for a distinct marbly sound or a stepped tactile feel, you may prefer the Baby Kangaroo or Bamboo Green switch, respectively.
Conclusion
In closing, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offer unique characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. If you prioritize a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force, along with a marbley and high-pitched sound profile, the Baby Kangaroo would be a suitable choice for you. Moreover, if you enjoy a snappy and bouncy feel, along with a polished typing experience, the Baby Kangaroo would also be a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force, accompanied by a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, then the Bamboo Green might be the better fit for you. Additionally, if you appreciate a stepped or accented tactile experience, combined with a polished typing feel, the Bamboo Green would meet your requirements. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal sound and feel preferences, as well as the desired bottom out force. Remember to consider the aforementioned factors when choosing between these two switches, in order to find the one that best suits your typing preferences.
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