Everglide Bamboo Green vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are several options to consider, each with its own unique features and benefits. Two popular switches that are worth comparing and contrasting are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the TTC Speed Silver. The Bamboo Green is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility. It offers a stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished experience. On the other hand, the Speed Silver is renowned for providing a fast and precise typing experience. With a light-medium level of resistance and a pristine sound profile, it is categorized as neutral, mild, and polished. While both switches have their strengths, it is important to dive deeper into the specifics to determine which one best suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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 Everglide Bamboo Green switch features a PBT top housing, while the TTC Speed Silver switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. These materials contribute to a notable difference in sound profile. The Bamboo Green's PBT top housing offers a neutral sound, not particularly crisp but not dull either. In contrast, the Speed Silver's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches utilize different materials. The Bamboo Green switch maintains its PBT bottom housing, which provides a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing. However, the TTC Speed Silver switch features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
It's important to note that the impact of each housing material is felt differently depending on whether it is the top or bottom housing. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more noticeable, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Although these switches have distinct housing materials, allowing for different sound profiles, they both offer unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bamboo Green requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Speed Silver requires 45 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green may feel slightly more responsive when triggering a keystroke. Additionally, the Bamboo Green has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams compared to the Speed Silver's 55 grams. This indicates that the Bamboo Green provides a more substantial typing experience as it requires a slightly stronger push to fully press down the key.
Considering weight preferences, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Speed Silver as it has a lighter actuation and bottom out force. This allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more solid and substantial keystroke may opt for the Bamboo Green, as its heavier bottom out force provides a more pronounced feel when pressing down the keys.
It is important to note that while the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches differ slightly, they both fall within the medium range, ensuring a balanced typing experience. Therefore, individuals seeking similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces can expect comparable performance from both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch have different travel distances. The Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Speed Silver has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. 4.0 mm is considered a more traditional travel distance, while 3.4 mm is slightly shallower. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, so if you prioritize quick response, the Speed Silver may be the better choice. However, some people find short travel distances to feel abrupt, so if you prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming, the Bamboo Green with its longer travel distance may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific feel you desire in your keyboard.
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 Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. When typing on these switches, users can expect a sharp and crisp sound with an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch provides a more neutral sound profile. These switches produce a moderate sound and are suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Despite the differences, both switches offer distinct sound profiles, allowing users to tailor their keyboard sound to their preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is characterized as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. This means that these switches have a tactile bump that is relatively mild compared to hypertactile switches, offering a medium amount of tactility. The feedback intensity is strong and crisp, giving a distinct feel with each keypress. Additionally, the switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Like the Bamboo Green switches, the Speed Silver switches also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their unique tactile qualities.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches provide a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, offering a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile. They also have a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel, along with a polished finish for smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Speed Silver switches have a more neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience, with a polished finish for reduced friction. While they differ in these aspects, both switches deliver unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. Whether you prioritize a distinct sound experience or a smooth feel, both options provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when making a decision between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style.
If you enjoy a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green switch would be a great choice for you. These switches provide a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which some individuals prefer over richer and bassier sound profiles. The Bamboo Green switch also offers a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel, with a polished finish for smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you value a fast and precise typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the Speed Silver switch is ideal. These switches have a reduced travel distance, allowing for quick and effortless actuation. The Speed Silver switch provides a neutral sound profile that suits most intents and purposes, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether for home or work use. It also offers a mild and polished feel, delivering a more approachable typing experience.
Ultimately, it is important to consider your sound and feel preferences when making a decision between these two switches. The Bamboo Green switch focuses on clackiness, sharp tactility, and a high-pitched sound, while the Speed Silver switch prioritizes speed, precision, and a neutral sound. By understanding these differences and aligning them with your personal preferences, you can choose the switch that best suits your needs.