Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Outemu Phoenix
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Phoenix switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Phoenix. The Bamboo Green is well-known 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 Phoenix stands out with its unique under-skirt click mechanism, making it one of the most distinctive clicky switches available today. It offers a crystalline and sparkling type feel and sound profile, falling into categories like 'Crunchy' and 'Polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Phoenix differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top and bottom housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It neither provides an overly crisp nor dull sound when in use. In contrast, the Phoenix incorporates a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for the top housing if RGB lighting is intended. Consequently, the Phoenix is likely to offer a more vibrant and resonant sound experience compared to the Bamboo Green.
Furthermore, when comparing the top and bottom housings of these switches, it becomes evident that the bottom housing has a more pronounced impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. As the bottom housing influences the moment of force when a key is fully pressed down, it significantly affects the overall typing experience. In contrast, the top housing plays a more crucial role in the sound produced when a key is released. This distinction implies that while the Bamboo Green and the Phoenix may share similar qualities in one aspect, such as the neutral sound profile of their respective PBT top and bottom housing, the overall sound and feel of the two switches can vary significantly depending on the composition of their top and bottom housings.
In conclusion, while both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Phoenix employ different housing materials, they both offer distinctive sound profiles. The Bamboo Green's PBT housing provides a neutral sound experience, while the Phoenix's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of the Phoenix, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Moreover, the bottom housing of a switch has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Hence, even though some similarities may exist between the housing materials of these switches, their sound and typing experiences are likely to vary significantly.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, we find that both switches have a bottom out force of 62 grams, which falls under the medium range. However, when it comes to the actuation force, the Bamboo Green has a force of 43 grams, while the Phoenix's actuation force is unavailable.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Bamboo Green would be the better choice, as its actuation force is lighter. This allows for a more effortless keystroke, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or marathon gaming sessions. On the other hand, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, with a stronger push feel, the unavailable actuation force of the Phoenix makes it uncertain whether it is lighter or heavier than the Bamboo Green. In this case, it would be advisable to choose the Bamboo Green to ensure a lighter typing experience.
In conclusion, while the bottom out force is the same between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Phoenix, the unknown actuation force of the Phoenix may make it harder to determine its weight category. However, for those seeking a lighter typing experience, the Bamboo Green is the recommended choice.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls into the more traditional range for switch travel. On the other hand, the Phoenix has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This shorter travel distance may be preferable for gamers or those seeking faster response times. The shorter distance allows for quicker keystrokes and potentially improved performance. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial feel when typing, the longer travel distance of the Bamboo Green may be the better choice. With its 4 mm travel distance, it provides a deeper and more satisfying key press experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference and whether a shorter or longer travel distance is preferred.
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 Phoenix comes in at $4.15 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
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is best known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility. When typing on these switches, you can expect a high-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp sound. The sound produced is resonant, providing an immersive auditory experience. Please note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch stands out for its unique click mechanism. It features a crunchy sound profile, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. The clicky sound produced by these switches is distinct and enjoyable.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch offers a stepped and accented tactile experience. These switches provide a mild tactile bump with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The tactile feedback is strong and crisp, allowing you to feel the bump distinctly with each keystroke. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish, reducing friction and providing a sleek typing experience.
Similarly, the Outemu Phoenix switch is also described as polished, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. Like the Bamboo Green switch, it offers reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch have some notable differences in both sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound, while the Phoenix switch offers a crunchy clicky sound. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch provides a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile experience, while the Phoenix switch is polished for a smooth typing experience. Based on the available information, it seems that these switches will provide different subjective qualities to the user, offering unique sound and feel profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you want a unique clicky switch with an under-skirt click mechanism, the Outemu Phoenix switch is the way to go. The Bamboo Green has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Phoenix provides a crunchy sound reminiscent of stepping on autumn leaves. In terms of feel, both switches have a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. However, the Bamboo Green offers a stepped, accented, sharp tactile bump, while the Phoenix offers a polished feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel.
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