Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see distinct differences in their characteristics. The Bamboo Green offers a clacky sound with a crisp and sparkling tactility, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. While both switches offer unique qualities, such as high-pitched sound signatures, the Bamboo Green is more accentuated and sharp, while the Vanilla Ice Cream is described as buttery and marbly. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, we can see that while the Bamboo Green uses PBT for both its top and bottom housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary blend known as KTT for the top housing and POK for the bottom housing. The PBT material in the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, while the KTT blend in the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Additionally, the PBT material is described as not very crisp but not dull either, while the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream is praised for its smoothness, durability, and shock resistance.
The differences in the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream result in distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback. While the Bamboo Green's PBT housing may offer a more subtle sound experience with its neutral profile, the KTT blend in the Vanilla Ice Cream gives a more pronounced and clacky sound. On the other hand, the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream's bottom housing contributes to the smoothness and durability of the switch, highlighting its impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the PBT material in the Bamboo Green's bottom housing may provide a similar level of durability but with a less pronounced effect on the overall tactile feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream will come down to personal preference and the desired sound and feel of the switch. While both switches may offer a similar level of durability, the differences in their housing materials will result in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. Whether you prefer the neutral sound profile of the Bamboo Green's PBT housing or the clacky sound signature of the Vanilla Ice Cream's KTT blend, each switch offers a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both have an actuation force of 43 grams, making them equal in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams, making it the lighter option of the two. The Bamboo Green provides a medium level of resistance, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream is lighter, making it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter touch and longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of the desired weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, whereas the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Bamboo Green being slightly longer. Gamers may prefer the Vanilla Ice Cream for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Bamboo Green. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key travel depth and responsiveness.
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 Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 offers a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, providing a sharp and immersive auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch also produces a high-pitched and marbly sound, giving it a clean and resonant quality that sets it apart from other switches. Both switches deliver distinctive sound signatures that cater to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green leaning towards a crisper tone and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a smoother and marbly sound.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is characterized by its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feedback, providing typists with a tactile experience that is distinct and refined. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a buttery and creamy typing sensation, giving users a smooth and effortless keystroke experience that glides seamlessly across the keys. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback that caters to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green providing a sharper and more pronounced tactile bump, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a silky and uniform typing sensation.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Bamboo Green switch provides a crisper and sharper tactile feedback with a high-pitched and resonant sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a smoother and marbly typing experience with a buttery and creamy sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, as both switches cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature along with sharp tactility, the Bamboo Green would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth, creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and marbly sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound should guide your decision between these two switches.