Everglide Bamboo Green vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the TTC Silent Brown 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 TTC Silent Brown, both of which are tactile switches. The Bamboo Green switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, providing a satisfying typing experience. It is categorized as stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished. On the other hand, the Silent Brown switch offers a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. The muted sound profile of these switches is also highly appreciated. They are categorized as buttery, mild, muted, and polished. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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 TTC Silent Brown switches offer distinct differences in their sound profiles. The Bamboo Green switch utilizes PBT as its top and bottom housing material, providing a neutral sound profile. This means that the sound produced by pressing down and releasing the key will have a balanced and non-piercing quality. In comparison, the Silent Brown switch features a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when the key is released. This difference in sound can be attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which creates a more resonant and clear profile.
On the other hand, the bottom housing materials of the two switches vary as well. The Bamboo Green uses PBT for its bottom housing, maintaining the same neutral sound profile as its top housing. The sound produced when bottoming out a key will not be particularly crisp or dull, falling in the middle ground. In contrast, the Silent Brown switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon creates a sound that is more absorbent, resulting in a duller and rounder tone when bottoming out a key.
Despite these differences, both switches have the ability to provide satisfactory results depending on the user's preferences. The Bamboo Green switch with its PBT housing delivers a well-balanced and neutral sound profile throughout. Similarly, the Silent Brown switch, with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, offers a contrasting sound experience. While the variation in materials leads to differences in sharpness and roundness, both switches can achieve a desired sound outcome depending on the user's typing style and preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, it's clear that both switches fall within the medium range. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams, slightly lighter than the Silent Brown's 45 grams. Similarly, the Bamboo Green has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Silent Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Although the differences in force are minimal, some individuals may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Bamboo Green for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Silent Brown's slightly heavier actuation force. Overall, both switches offer a medium actuation and bottom out force, providing a balanced tactile experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you are looking for a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the TTC Silent Brown switch with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, some people find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt and prefer a deeper key press. In this case, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming 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 TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
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 is best described as having a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, making them ideal for those who prefer a brighter and more pronounced audio feedback. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is known for its muted sound profile. The Silent Brown switches offer a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches have distinct sound characteristics, so the choice between them will depend on personal preference and the desired auditory experience.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as having a stepped and accented tactile feel. This means that the keystrokes on these switches have two stages, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The tactility is prominent but not overwhelming, providing a medium level of feedback intensity. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches are polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch offers a buttery and mild typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke that feels effortless and uniform. Similar to the Bamboo Green switches, the Silent Brown switches are also polished, ensuring a sleek and friction-free typing experience. The feel of the switches can greatly impact the overall typing experience, so it's important to consider these characteristics when making a choice.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches are known for their clacky sound signature with a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile. The tactile feel is stepped and accented, providing a crisp and sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Silent Brown switches offer a muted sound profile and a buttery and mild typing experience. The typing sensation is smooth and effortless, and the sound is softer and quieter. Choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a bright and sharp sound with a more pronounced tactile feedback, the Bamboo Green switches would be a good choice. Alternatively, if you prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience with a gentle tactile bump, the Silent Brown switches would be a suitable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-bottom-out force, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch would be a great choice. These switches provide a clacky sound signature along with a crisp and sparkling tactility, making them enjoyable for typing. They have a stepped and accented feel, offering a mild tactility that is not overwhelming but still prominent. The Bamboo Green switches are also known for their high-pitched and resonant sound profile.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier tactile switch, the TTC Silent Brown switch would be a suitable option. With a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, these switches offer a light-medium level of resistance. The Silent Brown switches provide a comfortable typing experience with a satisfying rounded tactile bump. They have a buttery and mild feel, delivering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the muted sound profile of the Silent Brown switches minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the TTC Silent Brown switches comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a clacky sound and a sharper tactile feel, the Bamboo Green switches would be a great fit. However, if you value a quieter typing experience with a smoother and more gentle feel, the Silent Brown switches would be the better option. Consider your sound and feel preferences when making your decision.
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