Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and Everglide Rice Pudding offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Banana is a tactile switch celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship, featuring high-precision molds and a unique softer backlight effect. Its two-stage spring design not only provides a robust return but also elevates the typing sensation with its polished, high-pitched, creamy, and resonant characteristics. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is a hall effect switch that focuses on delivering a seamless typing experience, marrying smooth operation with a deep, satisfying sound. This switch is particularly appealing to enthusiasts who value versatility, as it integrates flawlessly with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While the Jupiter Banana is perfect for those seeking a tactile feel and responsive feedback, the Rice Pudding is ideal for users who prioritize a smooth and balanced typing experience. 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 Jupiter Banana Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$2.80 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches share notable similarities in their use of materials, particularly in their top housing. Both switches employ polycarbonate for the top housing, which contributes to a sound profile that is characterized as sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper. This is due to polycarbonate's role as a stiffer plastic, enabling a clear and resonant sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate is beneficial for those looking to incorporate RGB lighting in their set-ups, as it allows light to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. Thus, users can expect a similar auditory experience from both switches when it comes to key releases, providing a vibrant illumination combined with a distinct sound signature.

In contrast, the bottom housings of the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Everglide Rice Pudding are both made of nylon, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, effectively absorbs sound compared to the harder materials, which contributes to a duller and rounder auditory feedback when the switch bottoms out. This characteristic means that while both switches will deliver a higher-pitched sound when keys are released, the sound produced when the keys are pressed down will differ in quality. The nylon bottom thus plays a critical role in shaping the overall sound experience, making the Jupiter Banana and Rice Pudding distinctive in terms of bottom-out acoustics even with the similarity in their top housing materials.

Overall, while the Gateron Jupiter Banana and Everglide Rice Pudding switches utilize the same materials for their respective compositions—polycarbonate for the top and nylon for the bottom—the combined effects of these materials yield a nuanced sound profile. Users can reasonably expect a coherent sound experience characterized by clarity and depth, particularly during the actuation and bottoming out of the keys. The differentiation in the housing materials ensures that while some attributes, such as the involvement of polycarbonate in producing a crisp release sound, will be consistent, the overall auditory effect will provide a distinctive typing experience unique to each switch.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Jupiter Banana requires a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 69 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Rice Pudding features a significantly lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer typing experience. This difference in weight brings about distinct user experiences: the lighter Rice Pudding may enhance longer typing sessions and extended gaming, while the heavier Jupiter Banana provides a more substantial push feel that some may find more satisfying. Ultimately, those who favor lighter switches may gravitate toward the Rice Pudding, while those who seek a more robust feedback should consider the Jupiter Banana for its increased actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The travel distances of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch differ slightly, with the Jupiter Banana measuring 3.4 mm and the Rice Pudding at 3.5 mm. This makes the Jupiter Banana the shorter option, while the Rice Pudding offers a longer travel distance. For gamers seeking quicker response times, the Jupiter Banana's shorter travel distance may provide a more responsive feel, which is ideal for fast-paced gaming. Conversely, the Rice Pudding, with its marginally longer travel distance, may appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback and a sense of depth in their keystrokes. Hence, while the travel distances are close, users will experience different tactile sensations that cater to their preferences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch produces a sound profile characterized by high-pitched and resonant qualities. This sharp and crisp auditory feedback is ideal for users who prefer a more pronounced auditory experience during typing. The clean, higher-frequency tones can create a lively atmosphere on the keyboard, allowing for enjoyable auditory interaction as you type. Although the detailed sound characteristics of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch are not specified, the general consensus is that it offers a deep sound, which likely leans towards a richer, more rounded auditory experience. While the Jupiter Banana offers a bright and clear sound, the Rice Pudding's deeper tones might provide a contrasting auditory profile, appealing to different preferences.

In terms of feel, the Jupiter Banana stands out with descriptors such as polished and creamy, which indicate a smooth, refined typing experience. This results from either superior materials or effective factory lubing, providing a sleek, low-friction key travel that enhances the overall typing sensation. Such qualities make the Jupiter Banana an ideal choice for those who enjoy effortless key presses. Conversely, while the tactile experience of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is not elaborated upon, the fact that it delivers a smooth operation suggests a pleasant typing experience. Given these qualities, it’s likely that both switches can provide satisfying tactile sensations, though without specific descriptors for the Rice Pudding, precise comparisons cannot be drawn.

In summary, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch offers a distinct auditory experience with high-pitched, resonant sounds combined with a polished and creamy feel, setting it apart for users who value both sharp audio feedback and smooth key sensitivity. The Everglide Rice Pudding switch, while less detailed in sound and feel characteristics, promises a blend of smooth operation with deeper auditory qualities, making it a versatile option suitable for various keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences, and users can expect a satisfying typing experience from either, depending on their specific needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your individual preferences and typing needs. If you favor a more robust, tactile feedback experience with a heavier bottom-out force of 69 grams, the Jupiter Banana is an excellent fit. Its high-pitched, resonant sound profile combined with a polished and creamy feel creates a spirited and engaging typing experience, ideal for those who appreciate a pronounced tactile response and a satisfying auditory cue. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of just 48 grams, the Rice Pudding switch may be your preference. Its smooth operation and versatility make it a suitable option for different keyboard setups, especially with Wooting’s innovative keyboards. While it may lack the distinctive tactile feedback of the Jupiter Banana, it provides a balanced and precise typing experience. Ultimately, it boils down to whether you prioritize a pronounced tactile response and heavier typing feel or a smooth, effortless keypress with versatility in your keyboard configuration.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Banana Tactile

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more