Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Semi Mute

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out: the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, and the KTT Semi Mute, a linear switch. The Bamboo Green switches are renowned for their clacky sound signature, offering a crisp and sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Semi Mute switches, despite their completely silent operation, are designed for those who value a noise-free environment during late-night typing sessions. These switches feature a linear actuation and advanced dampening technology, providing a buttery and mild typing feel. While these general pointers give a good sense of the switches' characteristics, let's dive deeper into each switch to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

KTT Semi Mute Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$3.97

$3.55 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Semi Mute differ significantly. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT for both its top and bottom housing, providing a neutral sound profile that falls neither on the crisp nor dull end of the spectrum. In contrast, the Semi Mute opts for a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. This choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting into the switch, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

The distinction between the housing materials becomes most apparent when considering the bottom-out sound and feel. As the bottom housing has a more substantial impact on these aspects, the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green will result in a neutral and balanced experience. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Semi Mute will deliver a sharper and more resonant sound, making it particularly suitable for those seeking a more pronounced tactile feedback.

Similarly, the impact of the housing materials can be observed when releasing a key. As the top housing plays a more significant role in determining the sound in this instance, the PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green will yield a neutral and subtle release sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Semi Mute emphasizes clarity and resonance, resulting in a more distinct and pronounced sound when the key is released.

Overall, while the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Semi Mute have their differences, they are both carefully chosen to enhance the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer the neutral sound profile of PBT or the sharper, crisper sound produced by polycarbonate, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing or gaming experience, albeit with distinct characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Semi Mute linear switch, there are a few notable similarities and differences. Both switches have the same actuation force of 43 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is identical for both. This means that users can expect a similar level of responsiveness and sensitivity when typing or gaming on either switch.

However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a slight contrast. The Bamboo Green tactile switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Semi Mute linear switch has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 58 grams. This indicates that the Bamboo Green switch requires a slightly stronger push in order to fully press the key down compared to the Semi Mute switch.

The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider as it can affect the typing or gaming experience. For those who prefer a lighter feel, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch may be the better option. Its slightly lighter bottom out force of 58 grams allows for smoother and easier keystrokes, making it suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience may lean towards the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch. With a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a stronger and more pronounced push feel, which can be preferred by some users for a more satisfying typing experience. Overall, both switches offer medium actuation forces, ensuring a responsive performance, but differ slightly in their bottom out forces, allowing users to choose their preferred level of key resistance.

Travel distance

The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Semi Mute linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent experience in terms of key travel, ensuring a comfortable typing or gaming experience. Whether you choose the Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Semi Mute linear switch, you can expect similar results and a satisfying keystroke feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is best known for producing a clacky sound signature, with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. This switch offers a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is designed to provide a noise-free environment, making it ideal for those who value a quieter typing experience. Despite the name, these switches are completely silent in operation, producing a muted and neutral sound. They minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, offering a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. It's important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

For the feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. It provides a tactile feedback with two stages, giving a mild pre-travel and/or post-travel feel. The tactile bump is prominent and crisp, providing a strong and distinct feedback with each keypress. Additionally, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience. This reduces friction and provides smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is known for its buttery and mild typing experience. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. It falls in a safe, middle-ground zone, offering a gentle typing experience suitable for most users.

In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Semi Mute linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green provides a clacky sound signature with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Semi Mute offers a completely silent operation, producing a muted and neutral sound. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green provides a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile experience, with a prominent and crisp tactile bump. On the other hand, the Semi Mute offers a buttery and mild typing experience, with smooth and fluid keystrokes. While these switches have different qualities, all available information suggests that they will provide similar results in terms of overall typing satisfaction.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is the ideal choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with a distinctive tactile bump. The high-pitched and resonant sound profile adds to the immersive auditory experience.

On the other hand, if you value a noise-free environment and desire undisturbed typing, especially during late-night sessions, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is the way to go. Despite their completely silent operation, these switches offer a comfortable and gratifying typing feel. With a medium bottom out force of 58 grams, they provide a gentle and mild typing experience, making them approachable for most users.

In terms of sound, the Bamboo Green produces a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Semi Mute offers a muted and neutral sound. The Bamboo Green's clacky sound may appeal to those who enjoy a sharp and crisp sound, while the Semi Mute's muted sound minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, providing a quieter typing experience.

When it comes to feel, the Bamboo Green exhibits a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile experience, with a prominent amount of tactility and a smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Semi Mute offers a buttery and mild typing experience, providing a seamless and uniform keystroke sensation.

Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Semi Mute depends on your preference for sound and feel. Consider whether you prioritize the clacky sound and sparkling tactility of the Bamboo Green or the noise-free and gentle typing experience of the Semi Mute.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

KTT Semi Mute Linear

$3.97

$3.55 per 10

Learn more