Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Gazzew U4Tx

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference between linear and tactile options. The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for those who favor uninterrupted keystrokes without any tactile resistance. Its cost-effective nature and satisfying sound profile make it especially appealing for gamers and typists looking for quick response times. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx offers a unique tactile experience, combining the best of both worlds with its deep "thock" sound when bottoming out and a whisper-quiet feel when topping out. Known for its sharp tactile bump, the U4Tx caters to users who appreciate a more pronounced feedback during typing while enjoying a more refined acoustic experience. Both switches have their own distinct advantages, with the Everfree Cedar providing an agile, seamless feel and the U4Tx delivering a luxurious tactile sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

Gazzew U4Tx Tactile

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Gazzew U4Tx switches, significant differences in their sound profiles emerge owing to the composition of their top housings. The Everfree (EF) Cedar features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and transparent properties. This material yields a sharper, higher-pitched sound, enhancing the clarity and resonance during typing. Its translucency allows RGB lighting to showcase vibrant colors, making it an attractive option for those seeking a visually appealing setup. In contrast, the U4Tx employs a proprietary blend often referred to as "boba plastic," which is notably softer than polycarbonate. This material results in a richer, deeper sound profile that dampens the audio for a more muted typing experience. Thus, while both switches offer unique sound characteristics, the Everfree emphasizes clarity while the U4Tx leans into a deeper resonance, providing distinct auditory experiences.

The differences continue with the bottom housing materials used in each switch. The Everfree (EF) Cedar incorporates a nylon bottom housing, a traditional choice that delivers a fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb vibrations more effectively than harder plastics. This functionality makes the typing experience not only deeper and rounder but also contributes to a more pleasant and cushioned bottom-out feel. Conversely, the U4Tx utilizes the same proprietary "boba plastic" blend in its bottom housing that it employs in the top. This offers a soft yet robust sound profile that maintains the same thickness and richness throughout the switch's operation. The result is a consistent auditory experience that aligns with the U4Tx's overall characteristic, creating a cohesive typing feel.

Ultimately, while the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Gazzew U4Tx use different materials for their top and bottom housings, their construction can yield somewhat similar acoustic and tactile outcomes. If one opts for a configuration where the Everfree’s polycarbonate top and nylon bottom are combined with an alternative set of switches, the resulting sound experience may reflect both the crispness of polycarbonate and the deep tones of nylon. Similarly, the U4Tx’s proprietary blend can also produce a consistent sound irrespective of whether it’s found in the top or bottom housing. In this way, the variations and similarities between the two switches highlight how specific material choices influence not only the sound and feel of key presses but also the overall user experience in tactile terms.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch to the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch, we find distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Everfree Cedar has a specified actuation force of 55 grams, which indicates a moderate resistance that makes it suitable for long typing sessions, striking a balance between comfort and feedback. However, the bottom out force for the Everfree Cedar is not available, making it difficult to assess its performance when fully pressed down. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx has an unknown actuation force but features a bottom out force of 62.5 grams. This suggests that when fully pressed, the U4Tx switch provides a firmer resistance compared to the Everfree Cedar, likely appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. As a result, the U4Tx is likely the heavier option when bottoming out, whereas the Everfree Cedar, with its known actuation force, offers a lighter feel for prolonged use. Ultimately, users looking for a lighter switch for extended use may lean towards the Everfree Cedar, but the U4Tx may attract those who desire a firmer typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you'll experience identical movement from the top to the bottom. This uniformity in travel distance ensures that users can expect similar tactile feedback and keypress depth, regardless of which switch they choose. Therefore, if you're looking for a consistent typing experience, both switches will deliver the same results in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch delivers a satisfying, poppy sound profile, making it an engaging option for those who appreciate a lively acoustics while typing. It leverages Gateron's proprietary mold, which contributes to its distinctive character. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx switch offers a more refined auditory experience, characterized as bassy and muted. The U4Tx produces a deep, resonant "thock" when bottoming out, enhancing its acoustic presence, yet it remains whisper-quiet during the top-out phase. This unique combination allows for a luxurious typing environment that is both pleasant and less intrusive.

When it comes to feel, the Everfree (EF) Cedar is known for smooth and reliable performance, though specific tactile feedback characteristics remain unspecified. The U4Tx, on the other hand, is recognized for its sharp tactile bump, providing a high level of feedback intensity with each keystroke. This distinct tactile sensation ensures that typists can confidently feel when a key has been actuated, adding to the overall typing pleasure.

In conclusion, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar switch offers a lively sound profile with smooth feel, making it an engaging choice for linear switch enthusiasts. Conversely, the Gazzew U4Tx provides a refined auditory experience coupled with a pronounced tactile feedback, catering to users who appreciate a tactile bump. While both switches deliver quality performance, they cater to different preferences in acoustics and feel. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a more vibrant sound or seek a quieter, refined experience with tactile nuance.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch largely depends on your typing preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you value a smooth, linear feel without any tactile bump and prefer a quieter typing experience, particularly for office environments or shared spaces, the Everfree Cedar would be an excellent choice. Its reliable performance combined with a satisfying poppy sound profile makes it a solid option for both gaming and general typing. On the other hand, if you desire a more dynamic typing experience with pronounced feedback, the U4Tx switches are ideal. Their sharp tactile bump provides a luxurious feel that enhances your typing rhythm and makes every keystroke satisfying, while the deep "thock" sound adds a rich acoustic element without being overly loud, making it suitable for both creative typing sessions and gaming. Ultimately, the decision should reflect not only your comfort with the switch feedback but also the ambient sound levels of your environment and the specific feel you hope to achieve with your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4Tx Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more