Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Silent Red offer distinct features to cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green switch is well-known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch provides a similar typing experience to the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and advantages, but ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference. 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
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Cherry MX Silent Red both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which provides a neutral sound profile that is neither overly crisp nor dull. In contrast, the MX Silent Red utilizes a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. While the two materials offer different sound profiles, they both aim to enhance the typing experience by providing a pleasant auditory feedback.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green continues to offer a neutral sound profile that complements its top housing. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the MX Silent Red contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile that matches its top housing material. Both switches ensure that the sound and feel of typing are consistent throughout, making them ideal choices for users who prioritize a cohesive typing experience with a focus on sound.
Overall, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and Cherry MX Silent Red use different housing materials, they both prioritize providing a comfortable typing experience with a focus on sound quality. The PBT and nylon materials each offer their own unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. Whether you prefer a neutral sound profile with the Bamboo Green or a deeper, fuller sound profile with the MX Silent Red, both switches are designed to enhance your typing experience and provide a satisfying tactile feedback. In this sense, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and overall typing experience from either switch, despite their differing housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the MX Silent Red's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams while the MX Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. This indicates that the Bamboo Green may provide a lighter typing experience overall, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and bottom out. In contrast, the MX Silent Red's actuation force is marginally higher, but without information on its bottom out force, it is difficult to determine how it compares in terms of overall pressure required. Ultimately, individuals preferring a lighter touch may lean towards the Everglide Bamboo Green, while those seeking a slightly firmer typing feel may opt for the Cherry MX Silent Red.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Bamboo Green being slightly longer than the MX Silent Red. The shorter travel distance of the MX Silent Red may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Bamboo Green's slightly longer travel distance may provide a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer it. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
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 Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 sound profile, creating a sharp and crisp auditory experience with each key press. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch provides a muted and thocky sound, producing a softer and quieter typing experience with a deep and satisfying thud-like sound. Depending on personal preference, the Bamboo Green switch may cater to those who enjoy a more sharp and immersive sound, while the MX Silent Red switch appeals to individuals looking for a quieter typing experience without sacrificing tactile feedback.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is characterized by its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. With a two-stage tactile response, medium tactility, strong tactile bump, and smooth key travel, these switches offer a refined and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch is noted for its textured feel, providing noticeable friction when pressed. This textured feedback may appeal to users who prefer a slightly rougher typing sensation compared to the smoother feel of the Bamboo Green switch.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Bamboo Green switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a sharp tactile response, the MX Silent Red switch offers a muted and thocky sound with a textured feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience based on individual preferences, with the Bamboo Green switch catering to those seeking a more immersive and tactile sound, while the MX Silent Red switch appeals to users looking for a quieter typing experience with a textured feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you enjoy a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility while typing, the Bamboo Green would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the satisfying feel of a mechanical switch, the MX Silent Red would be the better option. Additionally, if you are in a noise-sensitive environment and need a keyboard with a muted sound profile, the MX Silent Red would be the ideal choice for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or both in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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