Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a wide range of options available to suit different preferences and typing styles. Two popular switches worth comparing and contrasting are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Orange. The Bamboo Green switch is well-known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. It offers a stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch features a 22mm long spring, providing a bouncy feel while typing. It has a polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and a vivid orange nylon bottom housing, resulting in a slick, frictionless typing experience. Additionally, the KTT Orange switch offers a low-pitched sound profile and benefits from excellent factory-lubing, ensuring a refined and fluid key travel. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch is the best fit for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Orange differ in their housing materials, specifically in their top and bottom housings. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, while the Orange utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, not being particularly crisp or dull. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Orange creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it a favorable choice if RGB lighting is intended to be used.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Bamboo Green and the Orange diverge again. The Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing, like its top housing, provides a neutral sound profile without being exceptionally crisp or dull. Conversely, the Orange incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both housings also share the characteristic of being relatively unseen when used in switch housings, emphasizing their subtle presence.
It is important to note that when a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Therefore, the bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Orange contribute to the overall experience of using the switch, with each housing material producing distinct sound profiles and tactile sensations.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, some notable differences arise. The Everglide Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium range for both categories. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it slightly lighter in terms of actuation but also medium-light when bottoming out.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Orange switch may be the more suitable option due to its slightly lower actuation force. This can allow for longer typing sessions, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the Everglide Bamboo Green offers a slightly heavier push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience desired by some users who appreciate a stronger tactile feedback.
However, it is important to note that both switches fall within the same range, so if a user is indifferent between the two forces or prefers a medium force overall, they can expect similar results from either switch. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Orange will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the former offering slightly heavier typing characteristics and the latter providing a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Orange has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Bamboo Green falls into the more traditional range of 4.0 mm, while the Orange is on the shallower side with 3.5 mm. This difference in travel distance can greatly impact the experience of typing or gaming. Gamers, for instance, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times, making the Orange switch more suitable for them. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt and therefore prefer the Bamboo Green switch with its longer travel distance for a more substantial and satisfying keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth in typing or gaming experience.
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 KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange 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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches offer a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. Typing on these switches will produce a sharp and crisp sound, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switches have a low-pitched sound profile, which is characterized by a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The sound of both switches is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches have a stepped and accented tactile feel. These switches provide a medium amount of tactility with a distinct, sharp tactile bump. They offer a refined, polished finish, resulting in a smooth and sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switches offer a bouncy and frictionless feel. They provide a spring-like feedback sensation and have a fluid travel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are best known for their clacky sound signature, crisp tactility, and polished finish, while the KTT Orange switches are recognized for their low-pitched sound profile, bouncy feel, and frictionless typing experience. Overall, the Bamboo Green switches offer a more pronounced tactile feedback, while the Orange switches provide a smoother and more rebound-like typing experience. However, if you prefer a similar sound profile to the Bamboo Green, the KTT Orange switches can still deliver satisfying results with their low-pitched sound. Similarly, if you prefer the bouncy and frictionless feel of the Orange switches, the Bamboo Green switches may provide a smoother typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch may be the right choice for you. With a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches provide a stepped and accented feel, giving you a medium tactile experience that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. The Bamboo Green switches also have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which can be appealing if you prefer a sharper and more immersive auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched sound profile and a slick, frictionless typing experience, the KTT Orange linear switch might be the better option for you. With a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a bouncy feel with a 22mm long spring. The Orange switches have a polycarbonate milky top housing, a POM stem, and a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a smooth key travel and a low-pitched sound profile. Additionally, the factory-lubed Orange switches provide a refined and fluid typing experience, minimizing friction and maximizing smoothness.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Orange linear switch depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel. Consider whether you prefer a clacky and crisp tactility with a high-pitched sound profile or a slick and frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so take your time to determine which one aligns with your preferences.
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