Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Ink Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Ink Red 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 Gateron Ink Red. Both switches offer unique qualities that appeal to different preferences. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch that provides a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Ink Red is a linear switch known for its lower actuation force, making it perfect for those who prefer a lighter typing style. The Ink Reds offer a satisfyingly smooth experience and a crispy, clacky sound profile. While these generalities can provide some guidance, it is essential to delve deeper into the specific characteristics of each switch to determine the best fit for your individual needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
PBT
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Ink Red have several similarities and differences. Both switches have a top housing made of proprietary materials. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing which offers a neutral sound profile, while the Ink Red utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing known for its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. While the Bamboo Green provides a sound that is neither crisp nor dull, the Ink Red offers a thin and clacky sound. These differences in sound profile can greatly impact the overall typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches incorporate the same PBT material. Therefore, they share similarities in their bottom-out sound and feel. The PBT bottom housing provides a neutral sound profile for both switches. While this material may not offer a particularly crisp sound, it also avoids being dull. This similarity ensures that users can expect consistent experiences in terms of sound when pressing down on the keys of both switches.
However, when it comes to the top housing's impact on the sound upon key release, the switches differ significantly. The Bamboo Green's PBT top housing maintains a neutral sound, while the Ink Red's proprietary INK blend top housing contributes to a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. This means that users can expect a distinct sound profile when letting go of keys on the Ink Red switch compared to the Bamboo Green.
Overall, while the bottom housing materials provide similar results in terms of a neutral sound profile, the top housing materials give each switch its unique sound characteristics. Whether you prefer the neutral sound of the Bamboo Green or the clacky sound of the Ink Red, these differences in top housing materials allow for a personalized typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, one can observe that they have similar actuation forces and bottom out forces. Both switches have medium actuation forces, with the Bamboo Green requiring 43 grams and the Ink Red requiring 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out forces for both switches are also within the medium range, with the Bamboo Green requiring 62 grams and the Ink Red requiring 60 grams of force to press all the way down. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience and responsiveness from both switches.
Considering the weight aspect, some individuals may prefer lighter switches to allow for extended typing sessions, making them ideal for work or lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who seek a more substantial typing feel may opt for switches with heavier forces. However, in the case of the Bamboo Green and the Ink Red, both switches can be considered equal in terms of weight.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches will result in a similar sensation and experience in terms of travel distance. Both switches offer a comfortable amount of travel, allowing for a satisfying keystroke without excessive force. Additionally, the 4 mm travel distance ensures that users will have a consistent typing experience, regardless of which switch they choose.
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 Gateron Ink Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
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 considering the sound qualities of the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Ink Red switches, there are noticeable differences in their characteristics. The Bamboo Green has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a sharp and crisp sound along with an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Ink Red has a neutral and chirpy sound profile. The neutral profile indicates a moderate sound with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for various typing styles and environments. Additionally, the chirpy characteristic adds a unique acoustic signature to the Ink Red switches, setting them apart from other switches. It is essential to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of the feel of the switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Ink Red provide distinct tactile experiences. The Bamboo Green offers a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel. The stepped feel refers to a tactile switch with two stages, where you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The accented characteristic indicates a medium tactile feedback that is prominent but not overwhelming or subtle. Lastly, the sharp tactile bump of the Bamboo Green switches provides a high intensity of feedback, allowing you to feel each keypress distinctly. On the other hand, the Ink Red switches are described as silky, mild, and polished. The silky attribute represents an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The mild quality offers a gentle typing experience, suitable for most users due to its safe middle-ground characteristics. Additionally, the polished feature provides reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similar to the sound qualities, the feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors like lubing or the materials used in manufacturing.
Considering the available information, it is evident that the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Ink Red switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches provide a clacky sound signature along with a crisp and sparkling tactility. In contrast, the Ink Red switches have a crispy and clacky sound profile, satisfyingly smooth feel, and are effortless to type on. However, it is important to note that the overall experience of using these switches can be further influenced by various factors such as the choice of keyboard, keycaps, and additional modifications like lubing. By considering these factors and the mentioned characteristics, one can make an informed decision based on their preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch would be a good choice. These switches are best known for their clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. They provide a stepped and accented tactile feel, with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. The Bamboo Green switches have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, producing a sharp and clean sound when typing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter typing style, the Gateron Ink Red switch would be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches are best known for their satisfyingly smooth feel and effortless typing experience. The Ink Red switches have a crispy and clacky sound profile, along with a neutral sound signature. They offer a silky and polished feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile switch with a clacky sound and prominent tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green would be a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother linear switch with a lighter touch, the Gateron Ink Red would be a better fit. Consider your preferred sound profile, level of tactile feedback, and overall typing experience when making your decision.
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