Akko Dracula vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Akko Dracula and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Dracula and Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide distinct yet appealing options for gamers and typists alike. The Akko Dracula, characterized as a linear switch, stands out with its use of POK material for the top case and stem, contributing to an ultra-smooth typing experience coupled with enhanced durability. Its innovative design also includes an extra stem hole that promotes better airflow, resulting in a seamless actuation with every keystroke. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch employs a hall effect mechanism that offers a unique blend of smooth operation and a satisfying deep sound, making it ideal for those who appreciate a tactile, yet precise feedback while typing. In addition, these switches strike a balance between performance and versatility, being fully compatible with Wooting's advanced keyboards, catering to a broad spectrum of enthusiast preferences. Each switch has its strengths that can appeal to different users; 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
35g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Akko Dracula and the Everglide Rice Pudding reveals significant differences in their top housings. The Dracula utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, offering smoothness due to its low coefficient of friction of 0.04. This makes it an ideal material for switches that prioritize a fluid typing experience. Additionally, POK's superior durability and impressive shock resistance contribute to a reliable and robust switch design, allowing for a smooth, clacky feel during use. In contrast, the Rice Pudding employs polycarbonate for its top housing, which is noted for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile owing to its stiffer composition. This characteristic enhances the acoustic clarity, particularly noticeable when RGB lighting is involved, making polycarbonate a favorite for aesthetically-focused builds. Therefore, while both housings aim to deliver a high-quality typing experience, they accomplish this through differing means—smoothness versus sound clarity.
When assessing the bottom housings of both switches, we find a delightful uniformity as both the Dracula and Rice Pudding utilize nylon, a material well-regarded for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. The properties of nylon manifest as a more sound-absorbing material, resulting in a softer auditory feedback during typing. This similarity in the bottom housing ensures that regardless of the distinct top housings, users will experience that iconic, rounded sound when bottoming out the keys. Thus, both switches share a commonality in producing pleasant, bassy tones that enhance the overall typing experience, providing a consistent foundation amid the different attributes of their top housings.
In conclusion, the interaction between the disparate materials in the top and bottom housings ensures that the Akko Dracula and Everglide Rice Pudding each have their unique sound profiles and characteristics. While the Dracula leans into smoothness and potential clackiness with its POK top housing, the Rice Pudding enhances clarity and resonance through its polycarbonate top. However, both switches benefit from the nylon bottom housing, which anchors their sound profiles in the soft, full acoustic experience typified by nylon. Ultimately, users can expect rich, rounded sounds during key presses due to the nylon material, even as the overall auditory signature varies based on the respective top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both of which are categorized as light switches, we find some interesting differences in their force specifications. The Akko Dracula has an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Everglide Rice Pudding requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that typing on the Dracula switch involves less force overall, making it potentially more suitable for longer work sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch, while still light, demands a bit more effort, which might appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches are relatively light, the Akko Dracula is the lighter option among the two, offering an easier keystroke for prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we find that the Dracula has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Rice Pudding measures slightly shorter at 3.5 mm. This makes the Dracula the longer travel option, offering a more pronounced key press which some users may prefer for a more hearty typing experience. Conversely, the shorter travel distance of the Rice Pudding caters to gamers and others who favor quicker response times, making it a more suitable choice for those who appreciate faster actuation. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance highlights the trade-off between responsiveness and the tactile feedback of a deeper keystroke, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Dracula has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dracula for $3.29.
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Akko Dracula and Everglide Rice Pudding switches, the specifics for the Dracula remain unspecified, but the Rice Pudding is noted for its deep sound. The exact acoustic characteristics of the Dracula switch may vary based on the keyboard used and keycap selection, but one could anticipate a smooth typing experience from both. The Rice Pudding’s deep sound can enhance the overall typing experience, appealing to users who enjoy a satisfying auditory feedback.
Regarding feel, the Akko Dracula switch is recognized for its ultra-smooth typing due to the POK material and the extra stem hole that improves airflow and smoothness. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for combining smooth operation with a satisfying and precise feel. Both switches seem to prioritize a smooth tactile experience, making them suitable for users who favor a seamless typing sensation, even if the specific nuances of the Rice Pudding's feel are not detailed.
In conclusion, both the Akko Dracula and Everglide Rice Pudding switches cater to enthusiasts looking for a smooth typing experience, though their sound characteristics may differ, with the Rice Pudding offering a deeper auditory appeal. While the Akko Dracula switch’s sound attributes are less defined, its focus on durability and smoothness may attract users seeking longevity in their mechanical switches. Overall, both switches present appealing options for newcomers wanting different advantages in the mechanical keyboard realm.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you prioritize a lighter actuation force (45 grams) and seek a thoroughly smooth typing experience enhanced by innovative materials like POK, the Akko Dracula is likely your best bet. Its design lends itself to comfortable and prolonged typing sessions, perfect for those long hours spent at the keyboard, whether you're working or gaming. On the other hand, if you value a slightly heavier actuation force (48 grams) along with a satisfying auditory experience and are keen on versatile compatibility—particularly with Wooting's advanced keyboards—the Everglide Rice Pudding switches present a solid option. Their unique blend of smooth operation and deep sound makes them appealing for enthusiasts who appreciate both performance and auditory feedback. In the end, consider what aspects of typing feel most important to you—lightness and smoothness with the Dracula or a balanced feel with a bit more sound from the Rice Pudding—and choose accordingly to enhance your overall typing experience.
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