Akko Fairy vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Akko Fairy and the Everglide Rice Pudding can significantly influence your typing experience. The Akko Fairy, a linear switch, excels in office environments with its refined, factory-applied lubrication that guarantees a smooth and quiet operation. Its medium weight strikes a fine balance between resistance and comfort, making it an ideal choice for users who spend long hours typing, as it minimizes fatigue while providing a muted auditory environment. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding, a hall effect switch, offers a uniquely satisfying blend of smooth operation and a deep sound profile, catering to enthusiasts who appreciate a more tactile feedback in their typing experience. Furthermore, its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds an element of versatility for those looking to optimize performance. While the Fairy is perfect for a serene office setup, the Rice Pudding appeals to users who crave precision and a bit of auditory flair. 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
50g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The Akko Fairy and Everglide Rice Pudding utilize contrasting materials for their top housings, which significantly influences the sound profiles each switch produces. The Fairy features a nylon top housing, known for its softer characteristics that result in a deeper and fuller sound. This material absorbs more sound due to its soft nature, leading to a rounder auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The translucency of the polycarbonate is particularly advantageous for RGB lighting applications, allowing for vibrant color representation. Hence, while both switches may provide satisfying auditory feedback, the key difference lies in the acoustic quality produced by their respective housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, both the Akko Fairy and Everglide Rice Pudding share the same nylon material. This commonality feeds into the deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches, as nylon absorbs sound effectively, thus creating a duller and more rounded auditory experience upon bottoming out. Since the bottom housing has a significant influence on the tactile feedback and the sound generated when keys are pressed down, users can expect a similar deep sound characteristic from both switches as they engage with them. This similarity in material ensures that the tactile experience remains consistent across both models despite the differences in their top housings.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in these switches offers a unique interplay of auditory and tactile experiences. The Akko Fairy's nylon top contributes to a muffled sound, whereas the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate top delivers a brighter sound profile, creating different experiences when typing. However, due to their consistent nylon bottom housings, both switches maintain a smooth and rounded sound feel when pressed, demonstrating that while the overall experience will vary based on the combination of materials, certain aspects of tactile feedback and sound will remain unified.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch present contrasting characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Fairy switch has a medium actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, resulting in a firmer feel that may be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it ideal for those who value a lighter touch and prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Thus, while the Akko Fairy switch is better suited for individuals who prefer heavier keys, the Everglide Rice Pudding offers a softer experience. As such, the Fairy requires more effort to actuate and bottom out compared to the lighter Rice Pudding switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we see distinct differences that cater to varying preferences among users. The Akko Fairy has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Fairy offers a shorter actuation point, which can enhance responsiveness for gamers seeking quicker key presses. Conversely, the Rice Pudding's longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced key feel, providing a heartier depth during use. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either speed or more tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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
The sound profile of the Akko Fairy linear switch is characterized as muted and neutral, producing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office settings. This makes them particularly suitable for environments where noise reduction is essential, such as shared workspaces or quiet home offices. Their sound dampening inherently allows you to be less intrusive to colleagues or family members. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch’s sound characteristics are not explicitly detailed, leaving uncertainty on how their acoustics compare. However, typical hall effect switches tend to produce a unique sound due to their design, indicating that they might differ from the Fairy switches in this regard.
When it comes to feel, the Fairy switch stands out with its polished and mild characteristics. The factory-applied lubrication contributes to a smooth and refined typing experience, reducing friction and providing consistent key travel that enhances comfort over extended use. The gentle resistance of the Fairy switch allows for a subtle typing feel, making it approachable and easy to use for both beginners and experienced typists. The specifics of the feel for the Rice Pudding switch are unknown, but it can be inferred that they will likely offer a different tactile experience due to the unique technology they employ.
In summary, the Akko Fairy linear switch is designed for a quiet and comfortable typing experience, making them well-suited for professional environments. Their polished feel and muted sound quality provide an inviting tactile experience, while the Everglide Rice Pudding switch remains an intriguing option with its unique hall effect mechanism. While the Fairy's characteristics are well-defined, the specifics of the Rice Pudding's sound and feel remain uncharted, suggesting that while they may appeal to different preferences, the ultimate choice will depend on the user’s priorities, whether they lean towards subdued acoustics or exploring innovative switch technologies.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your specific usage scenarios and personal preferences. If you're looking for a switch that will enhance your productivity in an office environment or during long typing sessions, the Akko Fairy is an excellent choice. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams provides a satisfying yet comfortable feedback, making it ideal for extended use without fatigue. Additionally, its muted sound profile can minimize distractions in quiet spaces, allowing you to maintain focus while working. On the other hand, if you're an enthusiast seeking a versatile and responsive typing experience, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch would likely be more up your alley. With its lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams, it caters to those who prefer a more effortless keystroke while delivering a deep, satisfying sound. Its compatibility with innovative keyboards adds to its appeal, making it a great option for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. In essence, your decision should reflect whether you prioritize comfort and discretion or responsiveness and versatility.
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