Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Everglide Bamboo Green and Cherry MX Red are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch known for its clacky sound signature, crisp tactility, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red is a linear switch renowned for its slightly heftier feel, deeper sound profile, and textured typing experience. While the Bamboo Green offers a more accentuated and sharp typing experience, the MX Red provides a thocky and low-pitched sound profile. Both switches have their unique appeals, making them ideal choices for different preferences. 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
N/A
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
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
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Red feature top housing materials that provide a neutral sound profile, with the Bamboo Green utilizing a PBT material and the MX Red using nylon. While the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green is not very crisp, it is also not dull, offering a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the MX Red produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying tactile feedback during typing.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Red both utilize PBT and nylon respectively, echoing the qualities of their top housings. The PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green maintains a neutral sound profile, similar to its top housing, while the MX Red's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper sound profile that contributes to a distinct typing experience. The absorption of sound by the nylon material creates a unique typing feel that differs from the more traditional PBT material of the Bamboo Green.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Red contribute to their distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. While the PBT material of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral and unique typing sensation, the nylon material of the MX Red provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. These nuances in housing materials affect both the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, as well as the sound when releasing a key. Despite these distinctions, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch to the Cherry MX Red linear switch, we can see that the Bamboo Green has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the MX Red's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green is heavier at 62 grams as opposed to the MX Red, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Bamboo Green may provide a lighter typing experience in terms of actuation force, but a more substantial feel when bottoming out compared to the MX Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and desired force feedback.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent and precise keystroke experience, making them suitable choices for typing and gaming. In terms of travel distance, it can be said that the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Red switches are on par with each other.
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 Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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 switches offer a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, providing a sharp and clean auditory experience that may appeal to those who enjoy a more crisp sound when typing. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switches produce a thocky and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and more bass-heavy tone that can be satisfying for users who prefer a richer sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of the sound you find most pleasing during your typing sessions.
As for the feel of the switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, providing a tactile experience with a distinct tactile bump that is not overwhelming but still noticeable with each keypress. These switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction for comfortable use. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switches are characterized as textured, which means they have noticeable friction when pressed. This may appeal to users who prefer a bit of resistance in their keystrokes for added feedback and control. Again, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference in terms of the tactile feel you find most comfortable and satisfying.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and Cherry MX Red switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. If you enjoy a high-pitched and resonant sound profile with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green switches may be the ideal choice for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a thocky and low-pitched sound with textured feedback for added control, the Cherry MX Red switches could be a better fit. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different keyboards and keycap setups will help you determine which one aligns more closely with your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a clacky sound with crisp tactility, then the Bamboo Green switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel with a deeper sound profile, the Cherry MX Red switch is worth considering. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a more tactile typing experience with a unique sound profile (Bamboo Green) or a smoother linear feel with a deep sound (MX Red). Consider your preferences and typing needs carefully before making your decision.
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