Kailh Berry vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Berry and Everglide Sakura Pink offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Berry switches are renowned for their hefty typing experience, featuring springy keys with a chalk-like texture. With a fairly deep sound profile, they provide a tactile and satisfying typing feedback. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are designed for delicate typists, boasting an incredibly light 35g actuation force. These switches offer a gliding type feel and operate with minimal friction, delivering a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Sakura Pinks also produce a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, which adds a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Sakura Pink are quite similar. Both switches utilize a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially advantageous for those planning to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup. This ensures vibrant and visually appealing illumination. Therefore, both the Berry and the Sakura Pink will exhibit comparable sound and lighting effects due to their shared polycarbonate top housing material.
However, where these switches differ is in their bottom housing materials. The Berry features a nylon bottom housing, while the Sakura Pink employs a polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Berry results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switch. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that allows for a more clear and resonant sound profile. Therefore, the sound produced by bottom-out keystrokes will vary slightly between the Berry and the Sakura Pink.
In terms of overall typing experience, the differences between the top and bottom housing materials become evident. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more prominent and noticeable. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, which directly affects the typing experience. Conversely, the top housing primarily influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Berry and the Sakura Pink share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the choice of bottom housing material will determine the specific nuances and characteristics that users will experience while typing on these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Berry switch has an actuation force that is currently unknown, whereas the Sakura Pink has an actuation force of 35 grams. This means that the Sakura Pink requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Berry switch.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Berry switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy. In contrast, the Sakura Pink has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, making it lighter. This difference in bottom out force suggests that the Sakura Pink switch offers a gentler typing experience, requiring less force to fully press down the keys.
Considering the importance of weight in keyboard switches, both the Berry and Sakura Pink switches offer distinct advantages. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, such as for extended periods of typing or intense gaming sessions, the Sakura Pink switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and heavier push feel for typing would find the Berry switch more ideal. However, since the actuation force for the Berry switch is currently unavailable, it is important to note that if the actuation forces of both switches happen to be the same, users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes, with the weight being the only notable difference.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Berry linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. These two switches have slightly different travel distances, with the Sakura Pink being the longer of the two. Generally, a travel distance of 4.0mm is considered traditional, while 3.0mm is on the shallower side. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you are someone who prefers a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Kailh Berry linear switch with its shorter travel distance may be a better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke, the Everglide Sakura Pink with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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, the Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its deep and bassy profile. This means that the sound produced during key presses will have a lower frequency range, offering a rich and mellow tone. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Sakura Pink's sound can be likened to bubble wrap being popped, adding a fun and playful touch to your typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Berry switch offers a springy and textured typing experience. This means that when you press the switches, you'll feel noticeable friction or texture. Some users prefer this subtle texture, as it can enhance their typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is described as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless. These terms all indicate that the Sakura Pink switch provides a smooth, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It offers a seamless glide and requires minimal force to activate. This low-impact and comfortable typing feel can reduce finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Overall, the Kailh Berry linear switch emphasizes a deeper and mellow sound with a more textured typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch offers a softer and quieter sound, along with a buttery and effortless typing feel. If you're aiming for a deeper and textured typing experience with a more mellow sound, the Berry switch would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a quieter sound profile and crave a smooth and effortless typing feel, the Sakura Pink switch would be a fantastic option. Both switches provide unique qualities, and selecting between them would ultimately depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with a chalk-like texture and a fairly deep sound profile, the Kailh Berry linear switch would be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a feather-light typing experience with a gliding type feel and a delightful poppy sound, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch would be a better fit. Additionally, if you enjoy a low-pitched and bassy sound during key presses, the Berry switch would be more suitable for you. But if you prefer a softer and quieter sound, the muted sound profile of the Sakura Pink switch would be more appealing. In terms of feel, if you prefer a textured typing experience with noticeable friction, the Berry switch would be preferable. However, if you prefer a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, or frictionless typing experience, the Sakura Pink switch would be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
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