Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available, each with its own unique characteristics. Two popular tactile switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Medium Tactile, offer distinctive features that cater to different preferences. The Everglide Bamboo Green is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile stands out with its pronounced yet balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature. Both switches fall under the category of "Accented" and "Stepped," but the Bamboo Green is described as "High-pitched," "Sharp," "Resonant," while the Medium Tactile is characterized as "Mild." 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Medium Tactile differ in terms of their housing materials. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT for both its top and bottom housing, while the Medium Tactile uses polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the Bamboo Green's PBT housing offers a neutral sound, neither crisp nor dull. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Medium Tactile creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile. This difference in sound can be attributed to the choice of housing material.
Aesthetically, if RGB lighting is a consideration, the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing is particularly useful. Due to its translucency, polycarbonate allows for better showcasing of RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Bamboo Green's PBT housing does not provide such translucency, resulting in a different visual experience.
While the top and bottom housings of these switches differ, it is important to note that the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. With the Medium Tactile's nylon bottom housing, typing on switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the top housing, whether PBT or polycarbonate, primarily affects the sound when a key is released.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences to note.
In terms of actuation force, the Bamboo Green requires 43 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Medium Tactile's exact force is unavailable. However, both switches fall within the medium range, suggesting that users can expect a similar level of sensitivity when typing on either switch.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams of force to fully depress the key, whereas the Medium Tactile has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category. This means that users who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Medium Tactile switch, as it provides a slightly stronger push feel compared to the Bamboo Green.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Bamboo Green more suitable for longer periods of typing, such as in work or gaming sessions. However, for individuals who enjoy a heavier key press, the Medium Tactile switch would be a better option.
In summary, while both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Medium Tactile switches fall within the medium actuation force range, the Medium Tactile switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. For users seeking a lighter switch, the Bamboo Green would be the preferred choice.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and feedback when comparing the two switches. Both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying travel distance that allows for smooth and precise typing or gaming experiences.
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 Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
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 comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Bamboo Green is known for its high-pitched and resonant sound profile. It produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which can be immersive and clean. On the other hand, the Medium Tactile's sound qualities are unknown, so we cannot make a direct comparison. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bamboo Green exhibits several characteristics. It is described as a stepped switch, meaning it has a two-stage tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It is also considered an accented switch, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. The tactile bump is sharp and crisp, offering a high feedback intensity. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction.
For the Durock Medium Tactile switch, it shares some similar traits with the Bamboo Green. It is also described as an accented and stepped switch, providing a prominent amount of tactility without overwhelming characteristics. Like the Bamboo Green, it is polished, offering a sleek typing experience with reduced friction. However, the Medium Tactile is additionally described as mild, providing a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Unfortunately, we do not have specific information on the sound profile of the Medium Tactile switch.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Medium Tactile switches have some similarities in terms of feel, as they both share accented and stepped characteristics. They both offer a tactile experience without being overwhelming or scratchy. Additionally, they both have a polished finish for a smooth typing experience with reduced friction. However, the Bamboo Green stands out for its high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the sound qualities of the Medium Tactile are unknown. If you're looking for a switch with similar feel qualities, you can expect to achieve similar results with these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch with 62 grams force is a great choice. It offers a clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility when typing. It is also described as high-pitched and resonant in terms of sound. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch is stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, providing a satisfying tactile bump with reduced friction for smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch with 65 grams force is the way to go. This switch offers a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature. While there is no specific description given for its sound profile, it can be inferred that it provides a unique auditory experience. In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile switch is accented, stepped, mild, and polished, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, along with reduced friction for a sleek typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and Durock Medium Tactile switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a slightly lighter switch with a clacky sound and a strong tactile bump, the Bamboo Green is a good option. However, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound, the Medium Tactile switch is worth considering. Both switches offer a polished finish for smooth key travel. Consider your desired typing experience and sound profile to make an informed decision.