Gateron Glory Red vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Red and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Red and Everglide Rice Pudding present two compelling options, each tailored to different user preferences. The Glory Red, a linear switch, is celebrated for its light actuation force and smooth keystrokes, offering an enjoyable typing experience characterized by a pleasing travel distance. This makes it an ideal choice for typists who favor a seamless, uninterrupted flow when writing or gaming. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding, categorized as a hall effect switch, provides a harmonious blend of smooth operation and a rich, deep sound profile. This switch not only offers a satisfying tactile feedback but is also fully compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards, appealing to enthusiasts looking for performance and versatility. While the Glory Red excels in delivering a lightweight and fluid experience, the Rice Pudding offers a more robust and versatile option. 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
45g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
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
POK
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
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Glory Red and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches both utilize distinct housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles. The top housing of the Glory Red is composed of nylon, a softer plastic that contributes to a deeper and more resonant sound. Nylon's inherent qualities allow it to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing, which is a stiffer plastic that yields a sharper and crisper sound profile. Because polycarbonate is more rigid, it enhances the clarity of sound, making the auditory feedback more pronounced when keys are released. As a result, the two switches create differing acoustic sensations during typing, driven primarily by their top housing materials.
Examining the bottom housings reveals a similarity between the Glory Red and the Rice Pudding. Both switches incorporate nylon in their bottom housings, promoting a deeper sound profile as the nylon absorbs vibrations. This shared use of nylon ensures that both switches provide a rounder and fuller acoustic experience during key presses. However, the unique combination of materials in each switch means that while they may share a similar bottom-out sound, the overall auditory output is still affected by the differing top housing materials. Thus, when comparing both switches, it's clear that the bottom housing influences the actuation feel and sound, but it is the top housing that primarily dictates the characteristics you hear during key release.
When considering the overall feel of the switches, both the Glory Red and Everglide Rice Pudding offer distinct experiences owing to the combination of their housing materials. For example, while both switches will produce a deeper sound influenced by the nylon bottom, the typist will experience different sound textures and typing sensations based on the top housing. The Gateron’s nylon top will deliver a muffled, muted balance, while the Rice Pudding’s polycarbonate top revolutionizes the soundscape with its clear and resonant effects. In practice, this means that a user seeking different sound profiles or aesthetic experiences—particularly with RGB lighting—will find that the switch constructions yield varied results, thereby creating nuanced preferences in typing feel and sound quality.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, notable differences in their actuation forces emerge. The Glory Red requires an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Rice Pudding is lighter at 38 grams. This makes the Rice Pudding more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or extended gaming—facilitating less fatigue over time. However, the bottom out force for the Glory Red is unavailable, whereas the Rice Pudding’s bottom out force is noted at 48 grams, which indicates a firmer response when reaching the end of the key's travel. In summary, the Glory Red is the heavier option in terms of actuation force, catering to users who appreciate a more substantial typing feel, while the Rice Pudding offers a lighter actuation and a distinct bottom out force, making it more versatile for prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we find that the Glory Red has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Rice Pudding features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Glory Red the longer option by a mere millimeter. For those who prioritize responsiveness, the shorter travel of the Rice Pudding may be more appealing, as it allows for quicker actuation, a feature often favored by gamers seeking faster response times. However, the additional millimeter offered by the Glory Red provides a bit more depth in keypress, potentially resulting in a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding the balance of responsiveness and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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 Gateron Glory Red linear switch is characterized by its relatively quiet operation, making it suitable for those who prefer a subtle typing experience without distracting clicks or thuds. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is noted for its deep sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience that enhances the act of typing. While both switches are inherently different in terms of sound, the overall noise level will also depend on the specific keyboard build and the keycap materials used, so a bit of experimentation may yield a blend of qualities that suit individual preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Glory Red switch offers a smooth keystroke that promotes a pleasant and uninterrupted typing experience, allowing the fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. The Everglide Rice Pudding switch, while also delivering a smooth operation, introduces a slightly more pronounced tactile feedback that can contribute to a more engaged typing experience. Both switches cater to individuals who appreciate a smooth typing action, but the Rice Pudding may appeal to those seeking an extra layer of tactile sensation due to its unique design.
In conclusion, the Gateron Glory Red and Everglide Rice Pudding switches present distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Glory Red excels in its quietness and smoothness, perfect for users who prioritize a subdued typing environment. In contrast, the Rice Pudding combines smooth operation with a deeper sound and a touch of tactile feedback, making it a choice for those who enjoy an engaging auditory experience. Ultimately, both switches can provide satisfying typing experiences, and users may select between them based on their preferences for sound and touch.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and needs. If you seek a smooth, effortless keypress with a lightweight feel that allows for quick, uninterrupted typing, the Glory Red is an excellent choice. Its smooth keystroke and pleasing travel distance make it particularly favorable for gamers and fast typists who enjoy a responsive experience without the resistance of a heavier switch. On the other hand, if you value versatility, a satisfying auditory feedback, and a balance between smooth operation and tactile precision, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch shines brightly. With its 48-gram bottom-out force, it offers a solid yet comfortable typing experience, and its compatibility with Wooting keyboards adds an extra layer of appeal for tech enthusiasts. In essence, if you prioritize speed and lightness, go for the Glory Red; if you’re after a more nuanced, versatile typing experience with depth in both feel and sound, the Rice Pudding is your ideal match.