Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can greatly impact your typing experience. Two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Brown switches, both of which are tactile switches. The Everglide Bamboo Green is notable for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility. Typing on these switches provides a sparkling sensation that is categorized as stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switches are all about subtlety. These switches offer a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. Categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, they provide a more mellow typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Brown have different housing materials that greatly impact the sound and feel of the switches. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It is neither crisp nor dull, providing a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller tone. Thus, while the Bamboo Green provides a more neutral sound, the MX Brown offers a richer and deeper typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Bamboo Green and the MX Brown utilize PBT and nylon, respectively. PBT is known for its neutral sound profile, similar to the top housing of the Bamboo Green. It does not provide a crisp or dull sound, maintaining a balanced experience. The MX Brown, with its nylon bottom housing, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. While the bottom housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Brown adds depth and richness to the overall typing experience.
When it comes to the impact of the housing materials, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. Pressing down on the switch reveals the qualities of the bottom housing, providing a distinct tactile feedback. On the contrary, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. As such, the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green contributes to a balanced sound when letting go of a key, while the nylon top housing of the MX Brown may offer a deeper and richer sound. The combination of these contrasting housing materials allows users to choose between a more neutral and balanced experience or a deeper and fuller typing sensation.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Bamboo Green has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the MX Brown's 45 grams. However, the Bamboo Green has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, whereas the MX Brown has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown may be the better option as it has a slightly lighter actuation force. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. On the other hand, if someone prefers a more substantial and pronounced typing experience, the Bamboo Green may be favorable due to its heavier bottom out force. This can provide a satisfying tactile feedback and a sense of stability during typing.
Both switches fall under the medium category when it comes to actuation force, and even though the Bamboo Green has a slightly heavier bottom out force, it is important to note that both switches are still within the medium range. Therefore, individuals choosing either switch can expect similar results in terms of force required for typing.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Brown will ultimately depend on personal preferences. Some may opt for the lighter actuation force of the MX Brown for a lighter touch, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Bamboo Green for a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom when pressed. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance experienced when using either switch.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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 comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, we can observe distinct differences. The Bamboo Green switch has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, producing a clean and sharp auditory experience. In contrast, the MX Brown switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound, characterized by a deeper and richer tone. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. So, if you prefer a crisper and higher-pitched sound, the Bamboo Green switch would be a suitable choice, while those who appreciate a deeper and more bass-heavy sound may prefer the MX Brown switch. However, it's worth mentioning that individual preferences and the overall keyboard setup can greatly influence the perceived sound.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch offers a stepped and accented tactile experience. With its two-stage keystroke, users can feel a distinct pre-travel and/or post-travel, creating a more mild tactile feedback compared to hypertactile switches. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switch provides a prominent amount of tactility that falls between overwhelming and subtle. Its sharp and polished characteristics contribute to a highly tactile and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switch is described as a textured or scratchy switch, which implies noticeable friction when pressed. While some users prefer this subtle texture, others may prefer a smoother, friction-free typing feel.
In conclusion, when comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, we can appreciate the differences in sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switch offers a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, whereas the MX Brown switch embodies subtlety with its gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While the sound profile of the Bamboo Green switch is high-pitched and resonant, the MX Brown switch presents a bassy and low-pitched sound. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch is stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, providing a refined typing experience with its intense tactile feedback. In contrast, the MX Brown switch is characterized by a textured and scratchy feel, which may be preferred by users seeking noticeable friction. Both switches have their unique qualities, and the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preferences and the overall desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature with strong tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a stepped and accented feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. They also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and a smooth typing experience. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, adding to the immersive auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force and value subtlety in your typing experience, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is the better option. These switches offer a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The MX Brown switches are described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile compared to the Bamboo Green switches. However, they may have a textured feel, which some users may prefer for the added friction and feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Brown switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and tactile feel. Consider your desired level of tactility, sound signature, and typing experience to make an informed decision.