Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Cream Yellow 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 Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Cream Yellow. The Bamboo Green switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. Categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished', this switch offers a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow switch boasts a distinctively clacky sound due to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, providing resonant audio feedback. Additionally, its lengthened spring offers a uniquely bouncy typing feel. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that appeal to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your personal needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and KTT Cream Yellow differ in terms of their housing materials, particularly in the top and bottom housings. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It neither possesses a crisp nor a dull sound. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which creates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the Cream Yellow's top housing is transparent, making it suitable for RGB lighting purposes.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Bamboo Green employs a PBT material, similar to its top housing. As a result, it also provides a neutral sound profile similar to the top housing. The Cream Yellow, on the other hand, utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known to create a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. The nylon material absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, contributing to this characteristic.
Considering the overall impact on the switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed. As both the Bamboo Green and Cream Yellow have different bottom housing materials, the qualities these materials bring will be apparent in this aspect. On the other hand, the top housing will have a more pronounced effect on the sound when releasing a key. While the Bamboo Green's PBT maintains a neutral sound, the Cream Yellow's polycarbonate brings a sharper and crisper sound upon key release. So, despite some similarities in the top housing, the switches ultimately possess different sound profiles due to their contrasting bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Bamboo Green is lighter at 43 grams, while the Cream Yellow requires a slightly higher force of 50 grams to trigger a keystroke. It is worth mentioning that both switches fall into the medium range of actuation force, providing a balanced typing experience.
In terms of the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires a higher force of 62 grams compared to the Cream Yellow's 58 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green switch provides a slightly firmer and more substantial typing experience when fully pressed down. However, it is important to note that both switches still fall within the same medium range of bottom out force.
Considering the weight aspect, some individuals may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Bamboo Green, as it allows for longer typing sessions without causing excessive fatigue. This makes it an ideal choice for those who use their keyboards for extended periods, such as in a work environment or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, for users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Cream Yellow switch with its slightly higher actuation force may be a better option.
In conclusion, while the actuation forces and bottom out forces of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch differ slightly, both switches fall into the medium category. Each switch offers a unique typing experience, with the Bamboo Green providing a lighter actuation force and a firmer bottom out force compared to the Cream Yellow. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Bamboo Green offers a slightly longer distance compared to the Cream Yellow switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Bamboo Green is more in line with the traditional standard, while the Cream Yellow's 3.5 mm is considered slightly shallower. It's worth noting that shorter travel distances have gained popularity, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, opting for the Cream Yellow with its shorter travel distance may be more suitable. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may find the Bamboo Green's longer travel distance more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
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 qualities. It produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Cream Yellow switch may provide a slightly brighter and percussive sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch exhibits stepped, accented, sharp, and polished characteristics. It offers a medium tactile experience with a noticeable bump that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The tactile feedback intensity is strong and crisp, providing a distinct sensation with each keypress. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch contributes to a smooth and refined typing experience, reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch is described as bouncy. It provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch offer different subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green switch is characterized by its clacky sound signature, high-pitched sound profile, and stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feel. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow switch delivers a distinctively clacky sound, shortened bottom-out distance, a long-pole stem for resonant audio feedback, and a bouncy typing feel. While each switch has its own unique qualities, they both provide enjoyable typing experiences with their respective sound and feel characteristics. So, if you are looking for a clacky and immersive typing experience, the Bamboo Green switch would be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a clacky sound with a bouncy and lively feel, the Cream Yellow switch would be a suitable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who prefers a clacky sound profile and crisp tactile feedback, then the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, you can expect a satisfying level of resistance while typing. The Bamboo Green switches provide a clacky sound signature and sparkling tactility, giving you an immersive typing experience. These switches are also known for their stepped and accented feel, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a distinctively clacky sound and a bouncy typing feel, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch would be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches offer a slightly lighter resistance compared to the Bamboo Green. The Cream Yellow switch features a shortened bottom-out distance and a long-pole stem, resulting in resonant audio feedback and a uniquely bouncy typing sensation. If you enjoy switches that provide a spring-like or elastic feedback, the Cream Yellow switches would be an excellent choice.
In conclusion, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch depends on your specific preferences. If you value a clacky sound, crisp tactility, and a medium level of resistance while typing, the Bamboo Green switches are recommended. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky sound, a bouncy typing feel, and a slightly lighter resistance, the Cream Yellow switches would be a better fit. Ultimately, it is important to consider both the sound and feel aspects to determine which switch aligns with your typing preferences.
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