KTT Grapefruit vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit 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 KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Rice Pudding presents both contrasting qualities and unique benefits tailored to different user preferences. The KTT Grapefruit switches stand out for their light and soft touch, offering a tarty linear feel that appeals to those who enjoy a smooth and uncomplicated typing experience. With a low-pitched, neutral, and polished sound profile, they are quiet yet satisfying, making them suitable for office environments or late-night gaming sessions. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches feature a hall effect technology that makes them particularly smooth while also providing a deeper, more robust sound. These switches strike an impressive balance between satisfying feedback and precise actuation, and their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds an extra layer of appeal for performance-driven enthusiasts seeking versatility. Each switch offers distinct advantages depending on your typing style and intended use, 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
53g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Grapefruit and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches both incorporate polycarbonate for their top housing material, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This commonality in material allows both switches to create a clear and resonant auditory experience, ideal for users who value an articulate sound while typing. The transparency of polycarbonate further enhances aesthetic appeal, making it a suitable choice for applications featuring RGB lighting. Hence, the similarity in top housing materials ensures that users will enjoy an engaging and vibrant visual display alongside the notable auditory benefits.
In contrast, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Grapefruit and Rice Pudding switches both utilize nylon, a classic material in switch design that provides a fuller, deeper sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound when compared to harder plastics, leading to a more rounded and muted auditory experience. This divergence – while both switches feature the same materials for both their top and bottom housings – suggests that the specific design and construction allow users to experience unique sound characteristics associated with different parts of the switch. The simultaneous employment of polycarbonate and nylon enables a balanced sound profile that integrates both clarity and depth.
Ultimately, despite the differences in bottom housing materials between the Grapefruit and the Rice Pudding, their shared use of polycarbonate at the top ensures a bright and vibrant sound signature. When typing, users will experience a clear auditory feedback during actuation thanks to the polycarbonate top, while the rounded, fuller impact will be provided by the nylon bottom housing. This combination allows both switches to deliver an engaging and versatile typing experience, satisfying both tactile and acoustic preferences with comparable results through their respective housing compositions.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch to the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we see notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Grapefruit switch features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, characterizing it as a medium-light option. In contrast, the Rice Pudding offers a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Rice Pudding is the lighter switch, which can make it more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods due to less strain on the fingers. On the other hand, the Grapefruit, with its heavier forces, might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches present unique tactile characteristics, the Rice Pudding provides a softer touch overall, offering a gentler experience compared to the slightly firmer Grapefruit.
Travel distance
The KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch exhibit distinct differences in travel distance, with the Grapefruit measuring 4 mm and the Rice Pudding at 3.5 mm. This makes the Rice Pudding the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers and those seeking faster response times, as shorter travel distances typically facilitate quicker actuation. In contrast, the Grapefruit's 4 mm travel distance offers a heartier depth, catering to users who appreciate a more pronounced feedback while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference: opt for the Rice Pudding if you value responsiveness, or select the Grapefruit if you favor a more substantial feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit switches offer a low-pitched, mellow tone, creating a soothing auditory experience that can be delightful for typing or gaming. Their neutral sound profile strikes a balance that makes them versatile for various environments, whether at home, work, or in a more social setting. On the other hand, while the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are noted for their deep sound, specific details about their pitch or tone aren’t available. However, they are described as delivering satisfaction and precision, which implies a well-rounded auditory quality during use, making them appealing for those who appreciate an engaging sound profile.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit switches stand out with their polished finish, which fosters a smooth and refined typing experience. This smoothly refined texture, likely attributed to the materials used and factory lubing, reduces friction and enhances key travel, resulting in an overall enjoyable tactile sensation. In contrast, there isn’t specific information available detailing the feel of the Rice Pudding switches. Nonetheless, their reputation for smooth operation might suggest a comparable level of feel, appealing to those who seek a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, both the KTT Grapefruit and Everglide Rice Pudding switches offer unique qualities. The Grapefruit excels with its low-pitched sound and polished feel, perfect for users who prefer a balanced auditory experience with a smooth key action. The Rice Pudding, while less documented in specific qualities, is still celebrated for its deep sound profile and smoothness, particularly in the context of versatility with Wooting keyboards. Ultimately, both switches could potentially cater to users seeking satisfying performance, though the Grapefruit may provide a more established experience in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between KTT Grapefruit linear switches and Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches ultimately hinges on your specific preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a slightly firmer feel and enjoy a low-pitched sound that is both soft and subtle, the Grapefruit switches, with their medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, would likely suit you well. These switches are polished for a smooth typing experience, making them ideal for both casual use and longer typing sessions. However, if you favor a lighter touch and seek a deeper sound experience, the Rice Pudding switches—with their light bottom-out force of 48 grams—provide a perfect balance of smooth operation and satisfying acoustic feedback. Additionally, if you’re an enthusiast who values versatility, these switches are fully compatible with Wooting keyboards, enhancing their appeal. In the end, consider your typing style and sound preferences as you decide which switch best aligns with your experience, ensuring you select the one that enhances your mechanical keyboard setup.