Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Oil King offer unique experiences. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch, known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. It falls under categories like 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Oil King is a linear switch that provides a buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. Its categories include 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. If you're looking for a switch that offers satisfying tactility and an audible experience, the Bamboo Green might be the one for you. However, if you prefer a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Oil King could be your perfect match. To determine the best switch for your needs, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
55g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Oil King provide contrasting characteristics. The Bamboo Green's top housing, made of PBT, offers a neutral sound profile. This material neither produces a crisp nor dull sound, resulting in a balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Oil King's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, users will experience a more robust and deeper sound while typing on the Oil King switches compared to the Bamboo Green switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green utilizes a PBT material, similar to its top housing. This maintains the same neutral sound profile and balanced typing feel throughout the switch. However, the Gateron Oil King incorporates their proprietary INK blend for the bottom housing. This unique material gives the switches a distinct sound profile. Described as pointed and high-pitched without being overly sharp, the INK blend results in a satisfying and "clacky" typing sound. Therefore, when using the Oil King switches, users can expect a thinner and higher-pitched sound during bottom-out, enhancing the overall typing experience.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch have different impacts on the sound and feel. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. As such, the Oil King's INK blend bottom housing will contribute to a more pronounced and unique sound during typing. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when letting go of a key. While the Bamboo Green's PBT top housing provides a neutral sound profile, the Oil King's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound upon key release. Overall, both switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel, with the Oil King switches delivering a deeper, fuller, and more pronounced sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, it is evident that both switches have different weight characteristics. The Bamboo Green has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Oil King requires a stronger push with an actuation force of 55 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Bamboo Green is 62 grams, whereas the Oil King has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Bamboo Green switch would be more suitable. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, users will find it easier to type for longer durations without fatigue. This lightweight characteristic makes it an ideal choice for individuals who bring their keyboards to work or engage in extended gaming sessions.
On the other hand, the Oil King switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces. The higher actuation and bottom out forces make each keystroke feel more significant and tactile. This could be favored by individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more pronounced feedback while typing.
Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches cater to different preferences. While the Bamboo Green provides a lighter and more effortless typing experience, the Oil King delivers a heavier and more substantial feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing requirements, users can select either switch to achieve the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a consistent and familiar tactile experience when pressing down on the keys. Whether you choose the Bamboo Green or the Oil King, you can expect a similar travel distance and 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 Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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 sound profile. The high-pitched sound produces sharp and crisp tones, creating an immersive and clean auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch provides a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. These switches have a more mellow tone with a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound produced by the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. However, if you prefer a higher-pitched sound profile, the Bamboo Green will give you similar results to the Oil King's low-pitched sound.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch combines several descriptors to create a unique typing experience. It has a stepped feel, meaning it has two stages to its tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Additionally, it is considered an accented switch, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The switch also offers a sharp and polished sensation with a distinct tactile bump felt with each keypress. This smooth and refined finish results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. These switches are known for their smoothness and effortless keystrokes, gliding across the keys with ease. They also possess a polished finish, providing reduced friction and smooth key travel. Again, if you prefer a smoother typing experience, the Bamboo Green's polished and stepped feel can offer similar results to the Oil King's creamy and silky feel.
In summary, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, paired with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Oil King offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, coupled with a creamy, silky, and buttery feel. While they have unique qualities, if you prefer a higher-pitched sound or a smoother typing experience, you can achieve similar results by selecting the appropriate switch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force, the Everglide Bamboo Green is an excellent choice. When typing on these switches, you will experience a clacky sound and a crisp, sparkling tactility. This switch is best suited for those who enjoy a slightly stepped and accented tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron Oil King is a top contender. These switches offer a buttery smoothness and a sound profile akin to the snap of a dark chocolate bar. The Oil King is perfect for those who crave a creamy, silky typing experience. In terms of sound, the Bamboo Green provides a high-pitched and resonant profile, while the Oil King offers a more low-pitched and bassy tone. As for feel, the Bamboo Green has a sharp, polished, stepped, and accented tactile sensation, whereas the Oil King delivers a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your preference for tactility and sound, with the Bamboo Green being a great option for tactile enthusiasts and the Oil King appealing to fans of smooth linear switches.
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