Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Gateron Glory Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Gateron Glory Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Gateron Glory Red stand out as two appealing linear options, each boasting unique features. The Everfree Cedar is celebrated for its smooth, reliable performance and satisfying poppy sound profile, making it a cost-effective choice for users seeking quality without breaking the bank. In contrast, the Glory Red switch offers a lighter touch and a pleasant travel distance, providing an enjoyable typing experience that many users find appealing for extended sessions. Both switches aim to optimize the typing experience with their linear characteristics, yet they cater to slightly different preferences in terms of sound profile and actuation force. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Gateron Glory Red, a distinct contrast emerges in their top housing components. The Everfree Cedar features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This choice of material allows for a more resonant sound, making it particularly suitable for setups utilizing RGB lighting, as its translucent nature highlights the illumination effects beautifully. In contrast, the Glory Red incorporates a nylon top housing, recognized for producing a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer characteristics of nylon absorb more sound, leading to a duller and rounder auditory experience, which can provide a different tactical feedback compared to the sharper sound resulting from polycarbonate.
Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which creates a uniformity in their sound profiles at that level. The nylon bottom housing in both the Everfree Cedar and Glory Red is designed to absorb sound effectively, leading to a deeper and fuller sound experience regardless of the differing top materials. Therefore, while the sound sensation may vary when pressing the switches due to the top housing differences, the bottom out feel and sound will have a more consistent character across both models. This means that users will still benefit from a subdued audio profile when they reach the bottom, thanks to the nylon construction.
In essence, the two switches provide a unique blend of auditory qualities influenced significantly by their housing materials. While the Everfree (EF) Cedar offers a brighter, more resonant sound with its polycarbonate top, the Glory Red favors a rounded, muted audio experience with its nylon top. However, the shared nylon bottom housing means that users can expect a coherent sound experience during key presses. Therefore, whether users opt for the crisper sound of the Everfree or the fuller resonance of the Glory, they’ll find common ground in the satisfying bottom-out experience delivered by the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, we observe some notable differences. The Everfree Cedar features an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Glory Red is lighter, requiring only 45 grams to actuate a keystroke. This difference means that the Glory Red would likely be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less force to register a keypress. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, so we cannot compare that aspect directly. However, given the higher actuation force of the Everfree Cedar, it can be inferred that it would feel more substantial and potentially provide a more tactile experience, which may appeal to those who enjoy a stronger push feel. In summary, for users prioritizing a lighter touch, the Gateron Glory Red is the better choice, while those seeking a heavier switch may lean towards the Everfree Cedar.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch share the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that when you press down on either key, you would experience identical distances. This equivalence suggests that keypress feedback and overall typing experience would feel similar when using either switch, as they both require the same amount of movement to engage. Consequently, whether you prefer the Everfree or the Glory Red, you'll enjoy a consistent and equal travel distance, ensuring that any differences in performance would likely stem from other switch characteristics rather than the travel distance itself.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar has an MSRP of $2.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Everfree (EF) Cedar for $2.75.
The Gateron Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch is characterized by a satisfying, poppy sound profile that can add a bit of character to your typing experience. This makes it pleasant for both casual typing and gaming, giving you audible feedback without being intrusive. The Gateron Glory Red, on the other hand, is noted for delivering a smooth keystroke; however, its specific sound characteristics are not detailed, leaving some uncertainty. Despite the lack of specific descriptions for the Glory Red, the sound a switch produces can vary significantly depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, so both switches may offer satisfying auditory experiences depending on their setup.
When it comes to feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar is known for providing a smooth and reliable performance, ideal for users who prefer a consistent typing experience. This reinforces its reputation as a cost-effective option that doesn’t compromise on quality. The Gateron Glory Red, being the lighter switch of its lineup, also emphasizes a smooth keystroke while offering an enjoyable travel distance. While both switches promote a smooth feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar may provide a more robust sensation, whereas the Glory Red could cater to those who enjoy a lighter touch, giving users the flexibility to choose what aligns best with their typing preferences.
In summary, both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Gateron Glory Red linear switches present appealing qualities suitable for different types of users. The Everfree (EF) Cedar boasts a poppy sound profile and a solid, smooth feel, making it a versatile choice for various applications. Meanwhile, the Glory Red offers a lighter touch and a smooth keystroke, ideal for those who prefer a more delicate typing experience. Regardless of which switch you choose, both options promise enjoyable performances that align with your individual style, showcasing Gateron's commitment to quality in their mechanical keyboard offerings.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch ultimately depends on your specific preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a cost-effective option that delivers a satisfying, poppy sound profile combined with smooth and reliable performance, the Everfree Cedar will be a fantastic fit for you. It's particularly well-suited for those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic feedback while typing, making it ideal for gaming sessions and fast-paced typing tasks. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter keystroke and a pleasing travel distance that enhances comfort during extended typing sessions, the Glory Red is the way to go. This switch offers an enjoyable and smooth typing experience, which caters well to users who favor speed and fluidity over sound feedback. In summary, choose the Everfree Cedar for a more tactile auditory experience and the Glory Red for an ultra-light and comfortable typing feel; both will elevate your mechanical keyboard experience in their respective ways.
Mentioned in this article
