Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Outemu Blue Jade
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Outemu Blue Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Outemu Blue Jade offer distinctly different experiences that cater to varying preferences among users. The Everfree Cedar, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for those who value a quieter and uninterrupted keystroke experience. With Gateron's proprietary mold technology, these switches provide a satisfying and subtle sound profile that can enhance typing without being distracting. In contrast, the Outemu Blue Jade, a clicky switch, caters to users who enjoy a tactile feedback and an audible "click" with each keystroke, offering a more engaging and traditional typing experience preferred by typists and gamers alike. While both switches offer unique benefits – the Cedar promoting a zen-like typing environment and the Blue Jade adding a lively tactile element – the right choice ultimately depends on your personal typing style and needs. 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Outemu Blue Jade switches both utilize distinct housing materials that contribute to their respective sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Everfree Cedar’s top housing is crafted from polycarbonate, a material known for its rigidity and translucency. This quality results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is characterized as crisper and more resonant. Conversely, the Outemu Blue Jade utilizes nylon for its top housing, a softer plastic that absorbs sound more effectively, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast in housing materials creates a noticeable difference in auditory experience when typing, with the Cedar providing a brighter sound and the Blue Jade offering a warmer auditory output.
Interestingly, the bottom housing of both switches is made from nylon, which results in similar sound absorption characteristics for both models when it comes to key presses. The nylon material enhances the overall typing experience by providing a duller and rounder sound profile that is consistent across both switches. This shared material in the bottom housing means that, regardless of the differences in the top housings, both switches will exhibit a deeper sound and feel when bottoming out. This underscores the importance of how the combination of materials can create a harmonious balance, where the nylon in the lower part of the switch ties together the overall acoustic experience.
In essence, while the Everfree Cedar and Outemu Blue Jade switches employ different materials for their top housings—polycarbonate for Cedar and nylon for Blue Jade—the shared nylon bottom housing evens out the typing experience by imparting deeper sound qualities. When playing with these switches, typists will feel the nuances shaped by the top housing materials; the Cedar will provide a lively, bright sound upon key release while the Blue Jade will yield a more muted, rounded timbre. Ultimately, this distinctive interplay of materials allows both switches to deliver unique experiences, while the nylon bottoms ensure a commonality in sound absorption and feel upon actuation.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, there's a notable difference in actuation forces, with the Everfree requiring 55 grams of force to actuate compared to the 50 grams needed for the Blue Jade. This makes the Blue Jade lighter, which may appeal to users looking for a more effortless typing experience suitable for extended use. However, the bottom out force of the Everfree switch is unknown, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison to the Blue Jade's bottom out force of 65 grams, which is categorized as medium-heavy. This heavier bottom out pressure of the Blue Jade provides a more tactile feedback experience when the key is fully pressed, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, the Everfree offers a marginally heavier actuation force while the Blue Jade’s bottom-out force signifies a more substantial typing experience, making them suitable for different preferences in keyboard feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, notable differences emerge. The Everfree Cedar has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it shorter than the Blue Jade's travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Everfree Cedar may provide a more responsive feel, appealing to those who favor quicker key presses, such as gamers who need faster response times. On the other hand, the Blue Jade, with its longer travel distance, caters to users who appreciate a more substantial typing experience, as it allows for a deeper press that may feel more satisfying. Therefore, for individuals prioritizing quick response, the Gateron Everfree Cedar would be the better choice, whereas those who enjoy a more pronounced key travel would prefer the Outemu Blue Jade.
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 Outemu Blue Jade comes in at $3.10 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
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch offers a sound profile that is notably satisfying, often described as smooth and poppy, making it pleasing to the ears while typing. This delightful acoustic quality is complemented by Gateron’s trusted proprietary mold, which effectively reduces any unwanted noise. Conversely, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch's sound characteristics remain unspecified. It is worth noting that the sound produced by each switch can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the choice of keyboard you pair with them and the keycap material.
When it comes to feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch is highly regarded for its smoothness, providing an uninterrupted typing experience that is both consistent and reliable. This makes it particularly attractive for users who prefer a more fluid keystroke. In contrast, the tactile sensation of the Blue Jade clicky switch is not detailed, leaving its feel open to interpretation. However, clicky switches typically feature a distinct tactile bump that users find satisfying, appealing to those who enjoy auditory feedback during their typing sessions.
In summary, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar switch stands out with its smooth, reliable performance and pleasing poppy sound profile, making it a great choice for users looking for a linear experience. Meanwhile, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch lacks specific details regarding its sound and feel, leaving potential users with some uncertainty. If you're after a smooth typing experience, the Cedar is a solid pick, while those intrigued by tactile feedback might prefer to seek additional information on the Blue Jade before making a decision.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a smooth, quiet typing experience and prefer a lighter touch that enables quicker keystrokes, the Everfree Cedar is an excellent choice for you. It’s particularly well-suited for those who engage in prolonged typing sessions or gaming, as it provides consistent performance without the distraction of a clicky sound profile. On the other hand, if you enjoy tactile feedback and an audible click that can enhance your typing rhythm, the Outemu Blue Jade is the way to go. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force offers a satisfying resistance that many typists find enjoyable, especially if you appreciate the sensation of completing a keystroke with a definitive auditory and tactile response. In summary, your choice should align with whether you prefer a linear switch for its smoothness and quietness or a clicky switch for enhanced feedback and auditory satisfaction.
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