Everglide Bamboo Green vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are countless options to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. Two switches that stand out are the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, and the KTT Wine Red, a linear switch. The Bamboo Green is best known for its clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches provide a pillowy light feel and a satisfyingly deep, rich sound profile. The Bamboo Green is categorized as stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished, while the Wine Red is characterized as bassy and low-pitched. Both switches have their merits and reasons to consider. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Wine Red differ in their housing materials, with the Bamboo Green featuring a PBT top housing and the Wine Red having a polycarbonate top housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green provides a neutral sound profile, neither crisp nor dull. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for the Wine Red's top housing if RGB lighting is being used.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green utilizes a PBT bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This ensures a consistent neutral sound profile throughout the switch. Meanwhile, the Wine Red features a polycarbonate bottom housing. Similar to its top housing, this results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when bottoming out the switch. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing adds to the overall sound experience of using the Wine Red switch.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in determining the sound profile. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are felt, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and the KTT Wine Red may have differences in their housing materials, these variations serve to enhance different aspects of the sound produced by each switch, providing options for keyboard enthusiasts with different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams, slightly lighter than the Wine Red's 44 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Bamboo Green is heavier at 62 grams, compared to the Wine Red's 55 grams. Both switches fall under the medium category, but the Bamboo Green provides a slightly lighter actuation force and a heavier bottom out force.
Considering the weight aspect, those who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Bamboo Green, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This makes it suitable for situations where extended typing sessions are required, such as in a work environment or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel and prefer a stronger push might find the KTT Wine Red to be their preference. Its slightly heavier actuation force provides a bit more resistance and feedback during keystrokes, resulting in a more satisfying typing experience.
In terms of similarities, both switches fall within the medium force range, indicating that they provide a balanced and comfortable typing experience for the majority of users. Additionally, both switches offer a tactile response, with the Bamboo Green being a tactile switch and the Wine Red being a linear switch. This means that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the overall feel and feedback of the switches. Despite the slight variations in actuation and bottom out forces, individuals who prefer medium force switches can expect similar results in terms of responsiveness and typing performance from both the Bamboo Green and the Wine Red.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel. Therefore, both switches provide a similar tactile experience for users. Both switches offer a comfortable typing or gaming experience, ensuring smooth and precise keystrokes. However, it is important to note that the travel distance is the same for both switches.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 Bamboo Green switches are known for their high-pitched and resonant qualities. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches offer a deeper and richer sound profile. These switches have a bassy and low-pitched tone, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and higher-pitched sound, the Bamboo Green switches would be a great choice. But if you prefer a deeper and bass-rich sound, the Wine Red switches will provide a satisfying auditory experience.
Moving on to feel, the Bamboo Green switches are described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished. Stepped switches offer a two-stage tactile experience, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. These switches provide a mild tactile feedback compared to hypertactile switches. Accented switches, used to describe a medium tactile switch, offer a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The sharp tactile bump of the Bamboo Green switches provides a strong and crisp feedback with each keystroke. Additionally, the polished finish of these switches results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, there is no specific description of the feel of the Wine Red switches provided. However, based on the available information, we can assume that the Wine Red switches offer a pillowy light feel, as described in the introductory paragraph.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switches and the KTT Wine Red linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green switches provide a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility. They have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, along with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches offer a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile with a pillowy light type feel. While the specific feel of the Wine Red switches is unknown, based on the introductory description, it can be assumed that they offer a similar pillowy light feel as described. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-weight switch with a clacky sound signature and a sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be a great choice. It offers a stepped feel, accented tactility, and a polished finish for a smooth typing experience. These switches have a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which can be a refreshing change if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is worth considering. Although there is no specific description of its feel, these switches provide a lower bottom out force of 55 grams, making them medium-light. The Wine Red switches offer a bassy and low-pitched sound, which can be appealing if you enjoy a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch would depend on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as weight, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and preferences. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.