Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Kailh Plum
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Plum are two options worth considering. The Bamboo Green is known for its clacky sound and crisp tactility, giving it a unique and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Plum offers a different tactile experience with a hefty feel and a more subtle bump. While tactility and weightiness often go hand in hand, the Plum breaks this norm and provides a refreshing change. The sound profile of the Plum is neutral and pleasing, offering a quieter typing experience compared to the Bamboo Green. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Plum differ significantly. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT for both its top and bottom housings, while the Plum incorporates polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. When it comes to sound profile, the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound with neither crispness nor dullness. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Plum creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, which is especially advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green retains the same neutral sound profile as its top housing. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Plum produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its relatively softer nature. This quality of nylon allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Considering both the top and bottom housings, it is essential to note that the qualities each material brings to the switch will be split between them. When you press down on either the Bamboo Green or the Plum, you will primarily feel the impact and experience the sound of the bottom housing. On the other hand, the top housing will have a more significant influence on the sound produced when you release the key.
In summary, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Plum differ in their use of materials for both top and bottom housings. The Bamboo Green features PBT for both housings, resulting in a neutral sound profile. In contrast, the Plum incorporates polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a sharper and crisper sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting, and nylon for the bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound. While the Bamboo Green's PBT top and bottom housing have similar qualities, the Plum's combination of polycarbonate and nylon allows for a distinct auditory experience depending on the movement of the key.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch to the Kailh Plum tactile switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the actuation force of the Kailh Plum is unknown. However, both switches have a medium actuation force, meaning they require a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green has a force of 62 grams, whereas the Plum has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, making it medium-heavy. In terms of weight, some users might prefer the Bamboo Green as it is lighter and allows for longer typing sessions, which is ideal for work or gaming. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might opt for the Kailh Plum with its heavier force. Overall, these switches offer different levels of resistance, providing options for users based on their preference for lighter or heavier typing experiences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Kailh Plum tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Bamboo Green provides a slightly deeper press compared to the Plum switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Bamboo Green falls into the more traditional range, offering a satisfying depth for those who prefer a substantial feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the 3.6 mm travel distance of the Plum switch leans towards the shallower end, providing a quicker response time that is often favored by gamers. It ultimately comes down to personal preference - if you value a more responsive typing experience, the Plum switch with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice. However, if you enjoy a deeper and more satisfying feeling when pressing down on keys, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch with its longer travel distance would suit you well. Regardless of which option is chosen, both switches offer a tactile feel and can provide a comfortable typing 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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 switches have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate sound profile and actuation force requirement. The sound produced by Plum switches is considered neutral and enjoyable. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps being used. Overall, while the Bamboo Green switches have a distinct clacky sound, the Plum switches provide a more neutral and pleasant typing experience in terms of sound.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are known for their stepped, accented, sharp, and polished qualities. Stepped switches have a more mild tactile feel compared to hypertactile switches, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The accented nature of these switches means that they provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. The sharp tactile bump of the Bamboo Green switches provides strong and crisp feedback with each keypress. Additionally, the polished finish of these switches results in a smooth and refined typing experience, reducing friction and providing smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum switches are described as mild and stepped. They offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics and provide some pre-travel and/or post-travel feel. With both switches having a stepped feel, the Bamboo Green switches offer a sharper and more pronounced tactile feedback compared to the more gentle and approachable feel of the Plum switches.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Kailh Plum switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches produce a clacky sound with a high-pitched and resonant profile, while the Plum switches have a more neutral sound profile. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches have a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile experience, offering strong and crisp feedback. The Plum switches, on the other hand, provide a mild and stepped tactile experience that is more gentle and approachable. Depending on personal preferences, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches may be preferred for those seeking a unique and clacky typing experience, while the Kailh Plum switches may be favored by those looking for a more neutral and mild tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are someone who prefers a medium bottom out force and enjoys a clacky sound signature along with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and are looking for something unique with a moderate tactile bump and a neutral sound profile, the Kailh Plum tactile switch would suit your preferences. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer their own distinct characteristics, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision.
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