Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Strawberry. The Bamboo Green switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. It offers a stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch is loved for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. With its low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished characteristics, typing on the Strawberry switch provides a delightful experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch is right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and KTT Strawberry differ in their housing materials, with the Bamboo Green featuring a PBT top and bottom housing, while the Strawberry has a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Strawberry creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it particularly useful if RGB lighting is intended to be used. Therefore, users can expect a different sound experience when pressing down and letting go of a key between these two switches.
Similarly, the PBT and polycarbonate materials used in the bottom housing of the Bamboo Green and Strawberry switches also differ in sound profile. The PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green provides a neutral sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Strawberry contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. As with the top housing, the bottom housing's characteristics impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down the key. Users can expect a different tactile experience and sound quality when using the two switches due to this difference in material.
While the Bamboo Green and Strawberry switches have contrasting housing materials, they do share one similarity – namely, the importance of the housing material in achieving the desired sound profile. Both switches emphasize the impact of the housing material on the sound quality, with the polycarbonate material of the Strawberry providing a sharper and more resonant sound profile compared to the neutral sound profile of the PBT material in the Bamboo Green. Whether it is the top or bottom housing, the material choice has a significant influence on the sound experience when using these switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, it becomes clear that their actuation and bottom out forces are exactly the same. Both switches have an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making them medium weight switches. This means that users will achieve similar results in terms of key triggering and bottoming out regardless of which switch they choose. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing, both the Bamboo Green and Strawberry switches would be suitable options. Similarly, for users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, both switches would also provide the desired heavier force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches can be based on other factors such as tactile feedback or the desired switch type (tactile vs. linear) rather than actuation and bottom out forces, as they are identical for both options.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results when using either switch.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 per 10 switches.
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 known for its high-pitched and resonant characteristics. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. If you prefer a cleaner and sharper sound profile, the Bamboo Green switches are a great choice. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a low-pitched sound profile. With a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, these switches offer a smoother and more relaxed sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Therefore, choosing the right combination can further enhance the desired sound.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. These switches provide a medium level of tactility with a distinct tactile bump. The keystroke feels more mild as there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The Bamboo Green switches offer a refined finish and reduced friction, resulting in a sleek and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch offers a frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished feel. These switches provide an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. The keys glide effortlessly, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. Whether it's the Bamboo Green or the Strawberry, both switches prioritize a polished finish and smooth key travel for an enjoyable typing sensation.
Considering all the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer contrasting subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green switches have a high-pitched and resonant sound signature, along with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Strawberry switches deliver a low-pitched sound profile and a frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. While they may differ in sound and feel, both switches prioritize smoothness and refinement in their designs. Therefore, depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, you can achieve similar results with either choice by pairing them with a compatible keyboard and keycap combination.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature, then the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are a great choice. These switches provide a crisp and sparkling tactility that enhances your typing experience. Additionally, the high-pitched and resonant sound profile of the Bamboo Green switches adds to the immersive auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth actuation, the KTT Strawberry switches are the way to go. These attractive switches with pink and clear housings offer a comfortable feel and reliable performance. They have a low-pitched sound profile, which produces a mellow and bass-heavy tone.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches are described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. They provide a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The strong and crisp tactile bump of these switches can be distinctly felt with each keypress. The polished finish of the Bamboo Green switches ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switches are described as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished. These switches offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. The polished finish of the Strawberry switches also contributes to reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Strawberry switches depends on your preferences for sound, feel, and switch type. Consider whether you value clacky sound with crisp tactility or a smooth and mellow sound with a comfortable linear feel. Both switches offer their unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. In the end, it's up to you to decide which switch aligns best with your typing preferences.
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