Gateron Ink Red vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves navigating a diverse landscape of options, with the Gateron Ink Red and the Everglide Rice Pudding standing out for their unique characteristics. The Ink Red, a linear switch, is celebrated for its lower actuation force, making it an ideal option for those who prefer a lighter typing style. Users often praise the Ink Red for its satisfyingly smooth feel and its crispy, clacky sound profile, which adds a touch of auditory pleasure to the typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding, a hall effect switch, offers a delightful blend of smooth operation and a deeper, more resonant sound, catering to those who seek both precision and satisfaction in their typing experience. Additionally, the Rice Pudding is fully compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards, enhancing its appeal for enthusiasts looking for performance and versatility. While both switches have their distinct advantages—whether you lean towards the effortless ease of the Ink Red or the balanced richness of the Rice Pudding—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Red Linear

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Gateron Ink Red and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, the differences in their top housing materials significantly influence their overall sound profiles. The Ink Red features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which is designed to produce a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, often likened to a clacky auditory experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both switches aim for clarity and resonance in their auditory feedback, the sharper sound of the Rice Pudding may provide a slightly more pronounced auditory response when compared to the Ink Red’s unique blend, creating a potential variation in user experience despite both aiming for brightness in their sound.

Diving deeper into the bottom housing, we find a stark contrast in the materials used, which further differentiates the two switches' acoustic characteristics. The Gateron Ink Red employs the same proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing as it does for the top, ensuring continuity in the sound profile. This allows for the anticipated clacky sound to be felt consistently throughout the keypress. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding features a nylon bottom housing, which is recognized for generating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition. The nylon absorbs more sound than the harder plastics used in the Ink blend, resulting in a much rounder acoustic experience. Therefore, while both switches can create satisfying auditory profiles, the Ink Red maintains a more lightweight and sharp clack, while the Rice Pudding offers a more subdued and rich sound.

Despite the palpable differences in the materials of the top and bottom housings, users may still achieve a similar typing experience across the Gateron Ink Red and Everglide Rice Pudding switches. The clackiness of the Ink Red’s sound, driven by the top housing, resonates throughout the keypress, while the Rice Pudding’s nylon bottom conveys a deeper tone, creating a unique but enjoyable typing sensation. Given that the sound profiles of each switch are deliberated through the interplay of both housings, those seeking a combination of tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction can find respective merits in both options. Each switch accomplishes a blend of acoustic quality that may appeal similarly to users, making them both viable choices depending on individual preferences for sound quality and typing feel.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we see notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Gateron Ink Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight switch that provides a substantial feel for typists who prefer a stronger push. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, which caters to users who enjoy a lighter, more effortless typing experience. This lighter force can be particularly beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming, reducing fatigue. Therefore, while both switches offer distinct characteristics, the Ink Red is the heavier option and may be more suitable for those who appreciate a firmer response, while the Rice Pudding appeals to those who prefer lighter keypresses, allowing for a more relaxed usage.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you're after a more traditional feel with a bit more depth, the Ink Red would be the better choice, as it provides a more substantial keypress. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers or users who prioritize speed and responsiveness, allowing for quicker actuation during intense gameplay or fast typing sessions. Overall, if a softer landing and a gradual response is what you prefer, the Ink Red is the longer option, whereas the Rice Pudding, being a shorter switch, may feel more abrupt but offers faster feedback.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch presents a unique combination of chirpiness and a mild, clacky tone, which can enhance the typing experience. While the Ink Reds produce a neutral sound that appeals to a broad audience, their distinctive chirpy characteristic adds an interesting acoustic dimension. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its deeper, more resonant sound, offering a satisfying auditory feedback with every keystroke. The gap in sound descriptions between the two highlights that while both switches can provide enjoyment, the Rice Pudding leans more towards a robust auditory experience compared to the lighter, more playful tone of the Ink Red.

When it comes to feel, the Ink Red shines with a silky and polished typing experience that minimizes friction and enhances overall smoothness. Users will appreciate the mild nature of these switches, which makes them approachable for both new and experienced typists. The tactile experience with the Ink Red is refined, promoting comfort over long typing sessions. The specifics regarding the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch, however, remain unknown. Therefore, while the Gateron Ink Red provides a rich sense of smoothness and ease, the tactile characteristics of the Rice Pudding could potentially vary.

In summary, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch offers a delightful combination of sound and feel, making it suitable for a variety of typing preferences. Its crisp sound and silky feel stand out, while the lack of defined characteristics for the Everglide Rice Pudding switch leaves some aspects unknown. Regardless, both switches can provide a satisfactory typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of auditory and tactile feedback. For those who prioritize sound and smooth operation, the Ink Red provides a solid choice, while enthusiasts may want to explore the untested qualities of the Rice Pudding.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your typing preference and intended usage. If you prefer a medium actuation force and enjoy a typing experience that is both smooth and offers a satisfying acoustic profile, the Ink Reds are likely your best fit. Their chirpy sound and silky feel cater well to those who like to hear their keystrokes while typing, making them a solid choice for a variety of environments, from home to office settings. Conversely, if you’re looking for a lighter switch with an effortless typing experience, the Everglide Rice Pudding is an excellent option. Its lower bottom-out force offers a gentle touch that is perfect for rapid typing without fatigue, alongside a satisfying and deep sound that appeals to enthusiasts. Furthermore, if you’re planning to dive into innovative keyboard setups like those from Wooting, the Rice Pudding’s compatibility would provide enhanced performance and versatility. Therefore, consider your preferences for actuation force, sound, and the environment in which you’ll be using the keyboard to make the best choice for your typing journey.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more