Kailh Berry vs. Everglide Crystal Violet
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Crystal Violet are two popular options that offer different typing experiences. The Berry switches are linear switches known for their hefty typing experience, providing a springy feel and a chalk-like texture when typing. They have a fairly deep sound profile, categorized as textured, low-pitched, and bassy. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switches are tactile switches meticulously crafted with a light operating force of 45g. These switches offer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, with a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Crystal Violet, the most notable difference lies in their top housing materials. The Berry utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is especially beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as the polycarbonate material allows for better light diffusion. In contrast, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing, although more commonly found in keycaps, creates a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. While the Berry's polycarbonate provides a clear and resonant sound, the Crystal Violet's ABS housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, albeit with a lower pitch.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches take different approaches. The Berry features a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice that results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. Its relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Crystal Violet also utilizes an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing material. This ABS bottom housing contributes to the switch's relatively low-pitched sound profile, mirroring the effect of its top housing. Both the Berry and the Crystal Violet benefit from the differing qualities of their bottom housings, providing distinct sound experiences for users.
Considering the impact of the housing materials on the overall typing experience, it is evident that the top and bottom housings play significant roles. With the Berry, the polycarbonate top housing brings a clear and resonant sound when releasing a key, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housings work in synergy to produce a lower and more consistent pitch throughout the typing process. Despite their differing housing materials, both switches deliver satisfying sound profiles, emphasizing the importance of choosing a material that aligns with personal preferences and targeted aesthetic requirements.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, it is clear that there are differences in their weight. The actuation force of the Berry switch is unavailable, while the Crystal Violet requires 45 grams to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Berry switch is heavier, requiring 70 grams, whereas the Crystal Violet is lighter, requiring 55 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet switch would be a suitable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a more delicate and effortless keystroke. This feature would be beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods, such as in a work or gaming setting, as it reduces fatigue and strain on the fingers.
On the other hand, the Berry switch offers a stronger push feel due to its higher bottom out force. This provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback while typing. The heavier actuation force also adds to the overall robustness of the keystroke.
In conclusion, the actuation and bottom out forces of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch differ, with the Crystal Violet being lighter and the Berry being heavier. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Berry linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer distance compared to the Berry. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Crystal Violet is more traditional, while the Berry's 3.6mm offers a slightly shorter option. Gamers, who prioritize faster response times, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Berry switch. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial and deeper key press may lean towards the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer different experiences and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, it should be noted that the difference between the two is relatively minimal, so users can expect similar results from both options.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25 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, both the Kailh Berry and Everglide Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound profile. However, the Berry switches offer a deeper and richer tone, leaning towards a bass-heavy and mellow sound. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow sound that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. 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're looking for a low-pitched sound, both switches would provide similar results, but the Berry switches may offer a slightly deeper and richer tone.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Berry switches provide a springy and textured typing experience. The texture of the switch gives a chalk-like sensation when pressed, which can be preferred by some users. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel with a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy feel is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches can provide a stepped tactile experience, where you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. This adds a subtle variation to the typing feel. Overall, if you prefer a textured and springy typing experience, the Berry switches would be a good choice. If you prefer a creamy and mild feel, along with the option for a stepped tactile experience, the Crystal Violet switches are worth considering.
Taking all the available information into account, the Kailh Berry and Everglide Crystal Violet switches have distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Berry switches offer a springy and textured feel with a deep and bass-heavy sound profile. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switches provide a gentle and comfortable typing experience with a pleasantly mellow sound. If you're looking for a low-pitched sound, both switches would provide similar results, but the Berry switches may offer a slightly richer tone. Similarly, if you prefer a textured and springy feel, the Berry switches would be a good fit, while the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild feel, with the option for a stepped tactile experience. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what qualities you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you're looking for a linear switch with a hefty typing experience and a deep sound profile, the Kailh Berry switch would be a great choice. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, it provides a solid and springy typing feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a lighter operating force, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch would be the way to go. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a gentle and comfortable feel. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch has a pleasantly mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, while the Berry switch offers a deeper and richer bass-heavy sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile. Whether you prefer a textured and springy typing experience or a creamy and mild feel, both switches have their unique qualities to cater to different preferences.
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