Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Phalaenopsis
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two notable options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis. The Bamboo Green is renowned for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. It falls into categories such as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis offers a beautiful translucent design and a light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and minimizing finger fatigue even during extended sessions. With a satisfying and discernible tactile bump of 50g, each keystroke becomes a delightful experience. Its categories include 'Bassy', 'Stepped', and 'Thocky'. Both switches have their unique qualities, allowing users to choose based on their individual preferences. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis differ in their housing materials, which affects the sound profile and aesthetic appeal of the switches. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) for both its top and bottom housings. PBT offers a neutral sound profile, neither too crisp nor dull. On the other hand, the Phalaenopsis features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switch.
The choice of housing materials brings distinct qualities to each switch. The PBT housing of the Bamboo Green provides a balanced sound experience, making it suitable for those seeking a neutral keyboard sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Phalaenopsis offers a more vibrant and resonant sound, elevating the typing experience for users who prefer a sharper sound profile. Additionally, the Phalaenopsis's polycarbonate housing allows RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual impact of the switch.
When it comes to keypress and release sensations, the housing materials also play a role. The bottom housing, which is responsible for the bottom-out sound and feel, will contribute to the overall tactile experience of the switch. The properties of the PBT bottom housing in the Bamboo Green and the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Phalaenopsis will impart slightly different tactile feedback to the user. On the other hand, the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when a key is released. Thus, the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green and the polycarbonate top housing of the Phalaenopsis will influence the sound profile once the key is no longer pressed.
In summary, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis differ in their housing materials, resulting in variations in sound profile and aesthetic appeal. While the PBT housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, the polycarbonate housing of the Phalaenopsis delivers a sharper and crisper sound, especially when coupled with RGB lighting. The choice of housing materials also affects the tactile experience of pressing and releasing keys, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sensation, and the top housing influencing the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch, some notable differences arise. The Bamboo Green has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Phalaenopsis's 37 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Bamboo Green again takes the lead with 62 grams, while the Phalaenopsis has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Bamboo Green will provide a more substantial typing experience, requiring a firmer press to fully engage the keys.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Phalaenopsis with its lighter actuation and bottom out force may be the preferred choice. With its actuation force of 37 grams and bottom out force of 50 grams, this switch allows for a more effortless keystroke, ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue could become a factor.
However, it is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range in terms of force required, providing a balanced typing experience for most users. In the end, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and whether the user prefers a slightly heavier or lighter touch.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience a similar distance of travel. Therefore, there is no significant difference in the travel distance between these two switches.
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 Phalaenopsis has an MSRP of $4.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Phalaenopsis 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 experience. The high-pitched sound produces a sharp and crisp sound profile when pressed, which may appeal to those who prefer a brighter sound. The resonant nature of these switches further enhances the auditory experience, providing a clean and sharp sound. On the other hand, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is described as bassy and thocky. Bassy switches offer a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The thocky characteristic produces a satisfying and deep sound, similar to a soft "thud" or "knock" when the key is pressed and released. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Bamboo Green leans towards a higher pitch, while the Phalaenopsis provides a deeper and richer tone.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches share a stepped feel. Stepped switches are known for having two stages of tactility, offering a more mild and subtle tactile experience compared to hypertactile switches. This means that users can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel in their keystrokes for both switches. However, the Bamboo Green offers additional descriptors such as accented and polished. Accented switches provide a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, creating a prominent amount of tactility. Meanwhile, polished switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Phalaenopsis, on the other hand, does not have additional descriptors and is solely described as a stepped switch. This suggests that the Phalaenopsis offers a more straightforward stepped tactile feel, while the Bamboo Green provides a range of tactile options for users.
Taking all the available information into account, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a clacky sound signature with a higher-pitched and resonant profile, while the Phalaenopsis offers a bassy and thocky sound experience. In terms of feel, both switches share a stepped tactile feel, with the Bamboo Green offering accented and polished options. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's sound and tactile preferences. However, if a user is aiming for a similar stepped feel, both switches can provide comparable results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and a clacky sound signature, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is a great choice. It provides a crisp and sparkling tactility, and the high-pitched and resonant sound profile adds to its unique typing experience. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switch offers a stepped and accented feel, giving you a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a bottom out force of 50 grams and a beautiful translucent design, the KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switch is the way to go. It offers effortless typing with minimal finger fatigue, thanks to its light actuation force of 37 grams. The 50-gram tactile force ensures a satisfying and discernible tactile bump, making each keystroke a delightful experience. The Phalaenopsis switch also provides a stepped feel, giving you a mild tactility during your typing sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and KTT Phalaenopsis tactile switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium bottom out force, clacky sound signature, and stepped and accented feel, the Bamboo Green is a suitable option. However, if you lean towards a lighter switch with a translucent design, effortless typing, and a stepped feel, the Phalaenopsis switch is a better fit. Either way, both switches offer their unique advantages, adding variety to the mechanical keyboard switch market.
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