Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura stand out as two distinct options within the tactile switch category. The Bamboo Green is recognized for its clacky sound signature and sparkling tactility, embodying qualities such as being stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished. In contrast, the Purple Sakura offers a snappy response and a luxuriously smooth downstroke, with a tactility that strikes a balance between pronounced and subtle, categorized as buttery, mild, neutral, and snappy. While both switches offer unique features that may appeal to different preferences, it is essential to delve deeper into their characteristics to make an informed decision on the best switch for your typing experience.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura, one noticeable difference lies in the top housing. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT, which offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Purple Sakura features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. The use of polycarbonate also allows for RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic element to the switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green also employs PBT, providing a similar neutral sound profile as in the top housing. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the sharper sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing. The nylon material's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that is characteristic of switches using nylon housing.
When considering the impact of the different housing materials on the switch's overall sound and feel, it is clear that the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom housings. Pressing down on the switch will emphasize the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. While the Bamboo Green and the Purple Sakura offer contrasting sound profiles due to their housing materials, both switches provide unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Purple Sakura's 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green is heavier at 62 grams, while the Purple Sakura is slightly lighter at 60 grams. Despite the differences in force, both switches fall within the medium range. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Bamboo Green for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Purple Sakura for a more substantial typing experience. In both cases, users can expect a tactile typing experience with similar results, albeit with slightly varying force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option compared to the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Purple Sakura for faster response times, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Bamboo Green with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer a tactile feel, but the Bamboo Green provides slightly more depth in terms of key travel. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preference for travel distance and key press feedback.
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 Sarokeys Purple Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Sakura for $3.15.
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 typing experience, providing a sharp and crisp sound profile that can be quite immersive. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch presents a more neutral sound, which is moderate and suitable for various purposes. Both switches deliver different auditory experiences, with the Bamboo Green being more vivid and the Purple Sakura being more balanced in terms of sound.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is characterized by its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feedback. Users can expect distinct tactile stages, a prominent but not overwhelming bump, intense feedback, and a smooth typing experience. In contrast, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switch offers a buttery, mild, and snappy typing sensation, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke with gentle characteristics and responsiveness. The Bamboo Green switch leans towards a more pronounced and sharp feel, while the Purple Sakura switch focuses on a smoother and softer feel.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch each bring unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switch offers a vivid, high-pitched sound and a sharp tactile experience, while the Purple Sakura switch delivers a more neutral sound and a buttery, mild feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can achieve different typing experiences with these switches. Whether you prefer a more immersive and intense typing experience or a smoother and gentle one, both switches offer a quality tactile response that can enhance your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switches, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a high-pitched and resonant sound with a sharp tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a buttery and snappy feel, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and tactile feedback. Make sure to try out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns better with your typing style and preferences.
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