Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the realm of mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices that often come up are the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2). The Everfree Cedar, a linear switch from Gateron’s budget-friendly sub-brand, is celebrated for its smooth, reliable performance and cost-effectiveness. It delivers a satisfying poppy sound profile that satisfies users looking for unobtrusive typing without the tactile bump. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) features a hall effect mechanism and is notable for its balanced typing experience. With a neutral sound signature that emits the desirable "thock," it provides a super smooth keystroke through its dustproof stem, which minimizes wobble and enhances performance–ideal for those who prioritize a refined tactile sensation. Choosing between these two options often boils down to personal preference: while the Everfree Cedar excels in providing a straightforward and smooth typing experience, the Sticky Rice (V2) caters to enthusiasts seeking depth in both sound and feel. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches present an intriguing study in similarity. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic contributes to a clear and resonant acoustic experience, ensuring that gamers and typists alike benefit from clarity during their keystrokes. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of the switches, particularly for setups featuring RGB lighting. Thus, users can expect a vivid visual array alongside the auditory clarity when using either switch.
In contrast to the top housing, the bottom housing of each switch diverges significantly. Both the Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Sticky Rice (V2) employ nylon for their bottom housings, which influences the sound and feel of key presses quite differently. Nylon's inherently softer nature absorbs sound waves more effectively than the harder polycarbonate, generating a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a result, when users type on either switch, they experience sound characteristics that are rounder and more subdued thanks to the nylon material, providing a well-rounded auditory experience that complements the crisper tones of the polycarbonate top.
Overall, while the top and bottom housings of the Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches share some similarities, particularly in their respective top housings, they also illustrate the importance of their differing bottom materials. The combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both switches allows for a unique blending of sound profiles, where the crispness from the top housing marries the depth from the bottom housing. This synergy affects the overall tactile and auditory experience, ensuring that users can achieve an excellent balance of clear and resonant keystrokes when utilizing either type of switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, notable differences arise. The Everfree (EF) Cedar features an actuation force of 55 grams, which means it requires a greater effort to trigger a keystroke compared to the Sticky Rice (V2), which has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams. This lighter actuation in the Sticky Rice (V2) may appeal to users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, making it particularly suitable for extended use, such as during long gaming sessions or work. However, the bottom out force of the Everfree (EF) Cedar is currently unspecified, while the Sticky Rice (V2) has a measurable bottom out force of 50 grams. This discrepancy means that while the Sticky Rice (V2) provides a distinct tactile response when bottoming out, the experience with the Everfree (EF) Cedar remains unclear without its bottom out specification. Overall, the Everfree (EF) Cedar can be characterized as the heavier option due to its higher actuation force, making it more substantial for those who prefer a firmer keystroke, while the Sticky Rice (V2) is the lighter switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, we find that they are quite close, yet distinct. The Everfree Cedar features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sticky Rice (V2) has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Cedar switch offers a marginally deeper feel, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keypress experience. On the other hand, the Sticky Rice switch, being the shorter option, may cater to those seeking faster response times often favored by gamers. Thus, while both switches provide relatively similar performance, the choice ultimately boils down to personal preference for either a slightly deeper depth with the Cedar or a quicker actuation with the Sticky Rice.
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 Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sticky Rice (V2) 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
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch is characterized by a satisfying, poppy sound profile that adds an engaging element to the typing experience. This sound is often appreciated for its upbeat nature, which can brighten the auditory feedback of each keystroke. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) features a neutral sound signature that leans towards the desired "thock" quality favored by many enthusiasts. This deeper, fuller sound profile offers a different auditory experience, ideal for those who prefer a more rounded acoustic response. Both switches exhibit unique sound characteristics that can also be influenced by the keyboard construction and keycap choices, allowing for a tailored auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar is known for its smooth and reliable keystrokes, providing a consistent typing experience that appeals to those who value straightforward linear action. The design closely adheres to Gateron’s quality production, ensuring a satisfying and efficient response with each press. On the other hand, the Sticky Rice (V2) aims to deliver a super smooth keystroke, bolstered by a dustproof stem that minimizes wobble. This design enhances performance and creates a refined tactile sensation, striking a balance that some typists may prefer over the straightforward linearity of the Cedar. While both switches focus on a smooth action, the Enhanced performance of the Sticky Rice may appeal more to users seeking additional tactile refinement.
In summary, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches present distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cedar offers a poppy sound and linear action that's reliable and smooth, while the Sticky Rice combines a more muted yet resonant sound with enhanced tactile feedback, providing an experience that suits enthusiasts who enjoy a refined keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal sound and feel preferences, as well as the performance traits that resonate more with individual typists.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch will ultimately hinge on your personal preferences and typing priorities. If you value a smooth, reliable performance paired with an engaging sound profile, the Everfree Cedar may be the ideal switch for you. Its lightweight actuation, combined with Gateron's trusted design, can make typing feel both pleasant and effortless, particularly for those who enjoy a quick, fluid keystroke experience. Conversely, if you’re searching for a switch that delivers a well-rounded typing experience with a neutral sound signature and a satisfying "thock," then the Sticky Rice (V2) is the way to go. The 50-gram bottom-out force provides a bit of resistance, which may be preferable for typists who appreciate a more tactile sensation as they type. Additionally, the super smooth keystroke and reduced wobble offered by the Sticky Rice make it a compelling option for those who prioritize performance and stability in their typing experience. In essence, consider what aspects—sound, feel, and actuation force—are most important to you in a keyboard switch, as both switches can enhance your typing experience in distinct ways.
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