Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Kailh Sage

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer unique typing experiences are the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, and the Kailh Sage, a clicky switch. The Bamboo Green switches are best known for their clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. With a categorization that includes terms like "stepped," "high-pitched," "accented," "sharp," "resonant," and "polished," these switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Sage switches offer a distinct clicky typing experience. Users often describe them as having a heavy weight and a refreshingly sharp clickiness. They are categorized as "invigorating," "sharp," and "crunchy." Each switch has its own unique characteristics, and choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing needs.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

Kailh Sage Clicky

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$6.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Sage differ in their housing materials, with the Bamboo Green featuring a PBT top housing and a PBT bottom housing, while the Sage has a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Sage creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, providing a clearer and resonant sound. Additionally, due to its translucency, polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting effects, making the Sage an attractive option for those seeking vibrant visual aesthetics.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Bamboo Green and the Sage offer distinct sound experiences. The PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green maintains a neutral sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Sage elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic material that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if sound depth and richness are a priority, the Sage may be a more suitable choice.

It's important to note that the combination of top and bottom housings plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch. When pressing down on either the Bamboo Green or the Sage, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more prominent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing the key. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing or gaming experience, depending on the user's preferences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Bamboo Green requires an actuation force of 43 grams, while the specific actuation force for the Sage switch is unknown. However, both switches have a medium level actuation force, providing a satisfying tactile feedback without being too heavy or too light.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams of force to fully press down, which again falls within the medium range. On the other hand, the Sage switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which is slightly heavier and can provide a more substantial typing experience.

Considering the weight aspect, some individuals prefer lighter switches, like the Bamboo Green, as it allows for comfortable and prolonged typing sessions, making it suitable for work or long gaming sessions. However, those who enjoy a stronger and more pronounced keystroke may opt for the heavier Sage switch, providing a more satisfying tactile experience.

To achieve similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out force, one can select either the Bamboo Green or the Sage switch based on their preferences. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, ensuring a tactile response without being excessively heavy or light. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the individual's specific typing style and preference for the feel of the key press.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a slightly longer travel distance at 4.0 mm compared to the Sage's 3.6 mm. This slight difference may not be noticeable to everyone, but for those who prioritize a deeper key press, the Bamboo Green would be the preferable choice. On the other hand, if you are seeking a quicker response time and a more responsive feel, the Sage's slightly shorter travel distance may be more appealing. It is important to consider personal preferences and the intended use of the keyboard when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer comparable results, with a difference of only 0.4 mm in travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch produces a high-pitched sound that is clean, sharp, and clacky. This switch offers a more refreshing and crisp auditory experience, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a sharper sound profile. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is described as crunchy, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. While the specific sound profile may be subjective and also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the Bamboo Green switch provides a high-pitched and clacky sound while the Sage switch offers a crunchy and clicky typing experience.

In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is known for its stepped and accented tactile feedback. These switches offer a medium level of tactility, providing a noticeable but not overwhelming bump during keypresses. With a sharp and prominent tactile bump, the Bamboo Green switch offers a distinct and crisp feedback intensity. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch is also described as sharp, featuring a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keystroke. It is considered invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel.

In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is best known for its clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility. It provides a high-pitched sound and a medium level of tactility with a polished and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch offers a distinct clicky typing experience with a heavy weight and a refreshingly sharp clickiness. Both switches provide sharp tactile feedback, but with the Bamboo Green switch offering a stepped and accented tactility, and the Sage switch being described as invigorating. Depending on personal preferences, either switch can provide a satisfying and immersive typing experience. It is worth noting that the choice of keyboard and keycaps can also influence the sound and feel of the switches, so it's essential to consider these factors alongside the switch characteristics.

Conclusion

To wrap up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature, the Everglide Bamboo Green would be a great choice. These switches offer a crisp and sparkling tactility, providing a pleasant typing experience. They have a stepped feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, and they also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a distinct clicky typing experience, the Kailh Sage would be an excellent option. These switches offer a refreshingly sharp clickiness and a crunchy sound profile, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. They have a sharp and invigorating feel, providing pronounced feedback and a snappy typing sensation.

Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Sage will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clacky sound and stepped, accented, and polished feel, the Bamboo Green is the way to go. However, if you prefer a clicky sound and an invigorating, sharp tactile feel, the Kailh Sage is the better fit. Consider your desired typing experience and choose the switch that aligns with your preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Sage Clicky

$6.25 per 10

Learn more