Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Aflion Carrot
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Carrot switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Two popular options, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Carrot, both fall under the tactile switch category. The Bamboo Green switches are best known for their clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. Categorized as stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished, these switches provide a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Carrot switches offer a uniquely bouncy tactile experience with their long, two-stage spring. They emit a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, categorized as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle. Both switches have their own distinct qualities and advantages, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Carrot differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It is not very crisp, but neither is it dull. In contrast, the Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. Thus, while both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Bamboo Green emphasizes a more mellow tone, while the Carrot provides a sharper and more vibrant audio experience.
In terms of their bottom housings, the Bamboo Green and the Carrot also differ. The Bamboo Green incorporates a PBT bottom housing, resulting in a neutral sound profile that neither stands out as crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Carrot utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound. These differences in bottom housing materials contribute to distinct auditory experiences when typing on the respective switches.
Considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall switch performance, pressing down on each switch will highlight the characteristics of the bottom housing. The bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, contributing to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, when releasing a key, the top housing becomes more influential in the sound produced. Hence, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Carrot differ in their housing materials, the impact they have on the typing experience is distributed accordingly between the top and bottom of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch, some similarities and differences can be observed. In terms of weight, the Bamboo Green is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, both falling into the medium range. On the other hand, the Carrot offers a lighter experience, requiring an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which can be considered light.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice as it allows for longer durations of typing without causing fatigue. This is especially beneficial for individuals who use their keyboards extensively for work or engage in extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the Bamboo Green switch provides a more substantial push feel, offering a slightly stronger and more pronounced tactile feedback during typing. This can result in a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a more tactile and responsive switch.
It is important to note that the actuation and bottom out forces of both switches fall within the acceptable range for most users, ensuring that the typing experience remains comfortable and ergonomic. While the Bamboo Green requires a slightly higher force to trigger a keystroke and fully bottom out, the Carrot's lighter forces make it a viable alternative for individuals who prefer a gentler touch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on either key, you will experience the same distance of travel. Whether you choose the Bamboo Green or the Carrot, you can expect to get similar results in terms of the travel distance. Therefore, there is no difference in the travel distance between these two switches, as they both have a travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is best known for its high-pitched and resonant characteristics. The sound produced when typing on these switches is sharp, crisp, and clean, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch offers a clacky and marbly sound profile. The sound is described as sharp, snappy, and percussive, resembling the tapping of a rock-solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. Both switches exhibit high-pitched qualities, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a higher-pitched, resonant sound experience, the Bamboo Green switch would be the better choice. However, if you enjoy a clacky and marbly sound profile, the Carrot switch is a great option.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. The stepped characteristic suggests that the switch has two stages of tactility, providing a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It offers a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, providing a prominent amount of feedback without feeling scratchy. The sharp tactile bump of the Bamboo Green switch is distinctive and intense, adding to the overall typing experience. The polished finish of the switch contributes to a smooth and refined feel, reducing friction and allowing for smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is characterized as bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle. The bouncy nature of the Carrot switch gives it a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, providing a lively feel with rebound when pressed. The snappy attribute indicates that the switch is super responsive, delivering a typing experience that feels more alive. Similar to the Bamboo Green switch, the Carrot switch is also stepped, offering a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The feathery quality of the Carrot switch means that it requires minimal force to actuate, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the Carrot switch has a subtle resistance that maintains a light typing feel and produces a sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switch offers a high-pitched and resonant sound signature, along with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Carrot switch provides a clacky and marbly sound profile, along with a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle feel. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, providing users with different sound and tactile experiences. If you prefer a higher-pitched and resonant sound with a polished and sharp feel, the Bamboo Green switch is a great choice. However, if you enjoy a clacky sound profile and a bouncy, snappy feel with a feathery and subtle touch, the Carrot switch would be a suitable option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom out force and want a uniquely bouncy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is the perfect fit.
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