Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Outemu Tom
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom both fall under the tactile switch category, offering a satisfying typing experience. The Bamboo Green is renowned for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, making it a favorite among users who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Tom lacks a specific standout feature but provides a solid tactile response. If you prefer a switch with a distinct sound and feel, the Bamboo Green may be the way to go. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom, one major difference lies in their housing materials. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a neutral sound profile. The PBT material is known for its balance between crispness and dullness, providing a solid typing experience. On the other hand, the Tom features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. This combination creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, while the nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a fuller and deeper sound.
Aesthetically, the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom also differ. The Bamboo Green's PBT top housing may not offer the same transparency as the polycarbonate top housing of the Tom, but it provides a more subtle and understated look. The use of PBT allows for a solid color that complements various keyboard designs without being overpowering. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Tom provides a clear and translucent look, ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. This makes the Tom a popular choice for those looking to enhance their keyboard aesthetics with colorful lighting.
In terms of performance, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom ultimately comes down to personal preference. The PBT housing of the Bamboo Green offers a balanced typing experience with a neutral sound profile, while the polycarbonate and nylon housing combination of the Tom delivers a sharper and fuller sound. Whether you prefer a more subtle look with solid colors or the ability to showcase RGB lighting effects, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on what type of typing experience and aesthetic appeal you are looking for in your keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green is lighter in both aspects. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Tom has an actuation force of 55 grams and no available information on the bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter key press, the Bamboo Green would be the ideal choice, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Tom with its heavier actuation force. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Tom tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Bamboo Green has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Tom. In terms of typing or gaming experience, a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying keypress, giving a sense of solidity or depth to the keystroke. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Tom switch could appeal to those looking for quicker response times or a more direct keypress experience. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance.
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 Outemu Tom comes in at $3.10 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 profiles of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Tom switches, the Bamboo Green offers a high-pitched and resonant sound that is sharp, crisp, and immersive. This sound signature is suitable for those who prefer a more clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Tom switch is unknown. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard platform and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch provides a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile experience. The stepped design offers a two-stage tactile feedback, while the accented profile delivers a medium amount of tactility that is neither too overpowering nor too subtle. The sharp tactile bump of the Bamboo Green switch ensures a highly pronounced and distinct feedback with each keypress, and the polished finish results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, the tactile feel of the Outemu Tom switch is unknown.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Outemu Tom switches offer differing subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Bamboo Green switch boasts a clacky sound signature and a pronounced tactile feel with stepped, accented, sharp, and polished qualities, the specific sound and feel characteristics of the Outemu Tom switch remain undisclosed. It is essential for newcomers to consider their personal preferences and typing experience desired when selecting between these two switches to ensure optimal satisfaction.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, you should consider your preferences in terms of bottom out force, sound profile, and tactile feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, a clacky sound signature, and a tactile experience that is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, then the Bamboo Green switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force, a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, and are indifferent to the tactile feel of the switch, the Outemu Tom switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for.
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