Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Jupiter Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Jupiter Red offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch that provides a clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Jupiter Red is a linear switch known for its smooth, uninterrupted keystroke and medium-heavy actuation, categorized as 'Polished', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Depending on whether you prioritize the tactile feedback of the Bamboo Green or the smooth consistency of the Jupiter Red, each switch offers distinct advantages. 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
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
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Red, it is clear that they offer different sound profiles due to their distinct compositions. The Bamboo Green's PBT top housing provides a neutral sound with neither crispness nor dullness, while the Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Jupiter Red leads to a more resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing maintains a similar neutral sound profile as the top housing. However, the Jupiter Red's nylon bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, creating a rounder tone.
While the differences in sound profiles between the Bamboo Green and Jupiter Red are evident based on their top and bottom housing materials, they also share some similarities. Both housing materials contribute to a clear and resonant sound profile, but in different ways. The Bamboo Green's PBT materials offer a consistent neutrality in both top and bottom housing, providing a smooth typing experience. Similarly, the Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while the nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a fuller tone. Both switches excel in delivering quality sound, showcasing the impact of housing materials on overall performance.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Jupiter Red comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Bamboo Green offers a more consistent and neutral typing experience with its PBT housing materials, while the Jupiter Red provides a sharper and fuller sound with its polycarbonate and nylon housing combination. Whether one prefers a crisper and resonant sound or a deeper and rounder tone will determine which switch is the better fit. However, both options demonstrate the importance of housing materials in influencing the overall sound profile and typing feel of a switch.
Weight
In comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch, the actuation and bottom out forces show some minor differences. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Jupiter Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches have medium actuation and bottom out forces, with the Bamboo Green being slightly lighter in actuation force and the Jupiter Red being slightly lighter in bottom out force. However, due to the minimal variance in forces between the two switches, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of required force and overall feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for a lighter or slightly heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of key travel. This similarity in travel distance can result in similar typing experiences for users who prefer either tactile or linear switches. The consistency in travel distance between these two switches may make it easier for users to transition between keyboards with different switch types without having to adjust their typing style significantly.
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 Red 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, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, producing sharp and crisp sounds with each keypress. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users and preferences. Ultimately, your choice of board and keycaps will also play a role in the overall sound produced by these switches.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green tactile switch provides a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished typing experience with a strong and crisp tactile bump and refined finish. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch boasts a polished, creamy, silky, and mild typing feel, offering smooth and buttery keystrokes with minimal resistance. Both switches excel in providing a premium typing experience, catering to different preferences for tactility and smoothness.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Jupiter Red switches offer distinct characteristics in sound and feel, providing users with a choice between a tactile switch with a pronounced tactile bump and a linear switch with a smooth keystroke. Whether you prefer a clacky and resonant typing experience or a seamless and creamy feel, both switches deliver high-quality performance for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch, consider the factors that are most important to you. If you prefer a tactile switch with a clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, the Bamboo Green may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a smooth and consistent keystroke, along with softer backlight effects, the Jupiter Red could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one suits your needs best.
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