Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Jupiter Banana
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options come to mind - the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Banana, both tactile switches with unique characteristics. The Bamboo Green is praised for its clacky sound signature and sparkling tactility, providing a satisfying typing experience categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana stands out for its high-precision molds, softer backlight effects, and two-stage springs ensuring a strong return and consistent feel. Categorized as 'Polished', 'High-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Resonant', these switches offer a different tactile experience compared to the Bamboo Green. 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
43g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
69g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Banana differ in their housing materials, with the Bamboo Green featuring a PBT top and bottom housing while the Jupiter Banana utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Banana creates a sharper and crisper sound. The Nylon bottom housing of the Jupiter Banana, on the other hand, produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green.
In terms of sound profiles, the polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Banana is likely to result in a more high-pitched and resonant sound compared to the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green. However, the Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing may provide a more consistent and neutral sound profile, whereas the Nylon bottom housing of the Jupiter Banana could create a duller and rounder sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Jupiter Banana allows for better visibility of RGB lighting, making it a visually appealing choice for those interested in custom lighting effects.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Banana will come down to personal preference for sound profile and aesthetics. While the Bamboo Green may offer a more consistent and neutral sound due to its PBT housing materials, the Jupiter Banana provides a sharper and more visually appealing option with its combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing. Both switches have their respective strengths and weaknesses, so it ultimately depends on what qualities are most important to the individual user.
Weight
In comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green is lighter in terms of actuation force at 43 grams compared to the Jupiter Banana's 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green is also lighter at 62 grams compared to the Jupiter Banana's 69 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of actuation force, but the Jupiter Banana leans towards the medium-heavy side for bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions may lean towards the Bamboo Green, while those who prefer a stronger push for a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Jupiter Banana. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Jupiter Banana has a slightly shorter travel distance than the Bamboo Green. A 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while a 3.0mm distance is shallower. Both switches fall within this range, but the Bamboo Green provides a bit more depth for those who prefer a more substantial keypress. Gamers may prefer the quicker response time of the Jupiter Banana's shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference towards travel distance.
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 Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Jupiter Banana switches are described as high-pitched and resonant. This means that they produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience while typing. The sound profile is clean and sharp for both switches, making them ideal for users who prefer a more high-pitched sound. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch also depends on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. These qualities indicate that the Bamboo Green switches provide a two-stage tactile feel with a moderate level of tactility that is not overwhelming. The strong and crisp tactile bump is distinct with each keypress, offering a smooth and refined typing experience due to the polished finish. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches are described as polished and creamy. This means that they offer a smooth and buttery typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Jupiter Banana switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While they both provide high-pitched and resonant sound profiles, the Bamboo Green switches have a sharper tactile feel with a polished finish, while the Jupiter Banana switches offer a creamy and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a sharper tactility or a buttery smooth feel while typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, it is important to take into account your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force with a clacky sound and sharp tactility, the Bamboo Green may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force with a softer sound and more refined feel, the Jupiter Banana could be the ideal option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and sound profile.
Mentioned in this article
