Gateron CM vs. Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect linear mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron CM and the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar each offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gateron CM stands out with its full nylon housing, which not only provides a richer and deeper sound profile but also enhances the overall typing experience with an impeccable factory lube job that ensures a smooth, gliding motion. Additionally, the lengthened, dual-staged spring contributes to a bouncy and buoyant response, drawing users who appreciate a "thocky" and low-pitched auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Everfree Cedar caters to those seeking reliable performance at a cost-effective price point, maintaining the trusted quality of Gateron's proprietary mold. While the EF Cedar offers a satisfying “poppy” sound profile, it may not provide the same depth and richness as the CM. Each switch appeals to different typing experiences and priorities, whether it’s buttery smoothness for long hours of typing or the budget-friendly reliability of the Everfree. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron CM Linear

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

$4.80

$4.25 per 10

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron CM and Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar switches, striking differences emerge between their top housings. The CM features a nylon top housing, which is known for its softness and ability to absorb sound effectively. This characteristic creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, leading to a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Everfree (EF) Cedar employs a polycarbonate top housing, which is rigid and allows for a higher-pitched, crisper sound. Due to its translucency, polycarbonate can also enhance RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic advantage. Therefore, while the CM might offer a more subdued acoustic experience driven by its nylon, the EF Cedar’s polycarbonate enhances clarity and brightness in sound.

The bottom housings of both switches, however, are made from nylon, creating a notable commonality between them. The use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that the typing experience remains consistent for both switches when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel. As nylon is a softer material, it contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile in this particular part of the switch. Thus, both the CM and the Everfree (EF) Cedar can provide a similar typing experience regarding how the bottom housing influences sound, despite their differences in top housings. This nylon component also helps maintain a homogenous feel across both switches, allowing users to enjoy a fuller typing experience irrespective of the top housing variation.

In summary, the contrasting top housings between the Gateron CM and Everfree (EF) Cedar result in distinct sound profiles during typing, while their shared nylon bottom housings create a unified deeper acoustic experience. The combination of nylon and polycarbonate in the respective top and bottom housings illustrates how different materials influence the overall auditory and tactile sensations of a keyboard switch. While users may choose the CM for its warmer and rounded sound or the EF Cedar for its sharper and more resonant qualities, the nylon bottom ensures a familiar tactile response that keeps the core typing experience consistent across both switches.

Weight

The Gateron CM linear switch and the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch offer a comparable actuation force, with both requiring 55 grams to register a keystroke. This similarity means that users will experience a consistent typing feel between the two switches during the actuation phase. However, the bottom out forces diverge significantly; the CM switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a firmer resistance when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Everfree (EF) Cedar is currently unknown, which leaves its overall pressure characteristics largely unquantified. Therefore, while both switches share the same actuation force, the heavier bottom out force of the CM switch suggests a more substantial feel during extended use, which may cater to those who prefer a more tactile experience. In terms of weight, the Gateron CM switch can be considered heavier due to its specified bottom out pressure, while the lighter characteristics of the Everfree remain ambiguous until its bottom out force is determined.

Travel distance

The Gateron CM linear switch and the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch both have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that the key presses on both switches will feel the same in terms of depth when pressed. This similarity ensures that users will experience comparable tactile feedback and response when using either switch, resulting in an equivalent typing experience. Since both switches have the same travel distance, individuals looking for consistency in their keyboard feel can confidently choose between the two without worrying about differences in travel distance affecting their performance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron CM linear switch stands out with its rich, bassy, and thocky characteristics, producing a deeper, more resonant sound profile that many typists find satisfying. When you press a CM switch, expect a low-pitched thud that adds a substantial acoustic presence to each keystroke. This sound quality is enhanced by the full nylon housing and impeccable factory lubrication, resulting in a pleasant auditory experience reminiscent of a solid, well-built instrument. In contrast, the Everfree (EF) Cedar's sound profile is not specified, leaving us without a direct comparison for auditory characteristics. While the Everfree may offer a satisfying sound as implied by its design, the details on its sound signature remain unknown.

When considering the feel of each switch, the Gateron CM offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, highlighted by descriptors such as buttery, polished, and creamy. This results in a typing journey that feels effortless and fluid, almost as if your fingers glide effortlessly across the keys. The lengthened, dual-staged spring adds a bouncy sensation that enhances the tactile experience further. Again, the feel of the Everfree (EF) Cedar is unspecified, making it challenging to assess how it compares in terms of tactile feedback. Without specific descriptors for the feel, we can only speculate on whether it can match the smoothness and fluidity provided by the CM.

In summary, the Gateron CM linear switch is characterized by its rich sound and exceptionally smooth feel, making it a strong candidate for those who prioritize auditory and tactile experiences in their typing. On the other hand, the Everfree (EF) Cedar switch remains an enigma, lacking detailed sound and feel descriptions, which hinders a deeper comparison. While you can rely on the CM for a distinctive typing experience, the unknown qualities of the Everfree mean that it is difficult to gauge whether it can deliver a similarly satisfying performance. For those prioritizing sound and feel, the CM clearly stands out as a preferred choice, but the Everfree may still offer its own unique qualities that remain to be discovered.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron CM linear switch and the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific preferences for typing feel and sound. If you appreciate a medium-heavy actuation force that provides a bouncy and satisfying typing experience, the CM’s unique dual-staged spring and impressive factory lubrication will likely resonate with you. Its bassy, thocky sound profile, coupled with a buttery and polished feel, offers a more immersive and tactile keystroke, perfect for those who indulge in extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, if you are budget-conscious and prioritize a reliable, smooth typing experience without delving into deeper sound characteristics, the Everfree (EF) Cedar is designed to give you consistent performance that won't break the bank. While its sound profile may be less defined compared to the CM, it still delivers satisfactory feedback and a comfortable typing experience. In summary, consider the CM if you desire a richer sound and feel, while the Everfree (EF) Cedar is an excellent choice for practicality and budget-friendly reliability.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron CM Linear

$4.80

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

Learn more