Kailh BCP vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Kailh BCP and the Everglide Rice Pudding can significantly impact your typing experience. The Kailh BCP, known for its creamy, viscous feel, offers a bouncy actuation paired with a signature poppy and clacky sound profile, making it an exciting option for those who enjoy a tactile and audible feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide a unique blend of smooth operation and deep sound, delivering a precise and satisfying typing experience that caters to users looking for performance and versatility, particularly with their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While the BCP is celebrated for its lively character and engaging sound, the Rice Pudding stands out for its balanced and refined feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your individual preferences.

By the numbers

Kailh BCP Linear

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$5.00

$4.75 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh BCP and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, the distinctions become apparent, especially concerning the top housings. The BCP uses a nylon top housing, known for its ability to deliver a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the plastic, which helps absorb sound better than harder materials. In contrast, the Rice Pudding employs a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer composition, enabling a clearer and more resonant acoustic experience. If you were to pair these switches under similar keystroke conditions, the BCP would favor a softer auditory presence while the Rice Pudding would contribute a bright and lively sound.

The bottom housings of both switches, however, share a similarity as they both utilize nylon. This consistency means that regardless of the variation in top housing materials, the deeper sound characteristics prevalent in the nylon are retained in the overall typing experience of both switches. The nylon bottom housing is effective in producing a rounded and deep sound that is authoritative during bottom-out key presses, ensuring that while the auditory qualities differ on the way up (due to the top housing material), they will maintain a similar tonality on the way down. This translates to a uniform bottom-out feel across both switch types, reinforcing the deeper acoustic signature originating from the nylon used in the bottom housing.

In terms of functionality and aesthetic appeal, each switch possesses distinct advantages dictated by their housing materials. The BCP, benefiting from a nylon top, is designed to provide an intimate, subdued typing experience that may appeal to those who prefer a quieter environment. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate top housing shines brightest with RGB lighting due to its translucent nature, enhancing the visual components alongside its distinct sound profile. Together, they illustrate how different materials can bring unique qualities to a switch's performance while still overlapping in certain aspects, like the deeper sound from the nylon bottom. Ultimately, users can choose based on their priority—whether it be a serene soundscape or a vivid visual experience enhanced by lighting.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Kailh BCP has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding features a much lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that for typists or gamers who prefer a lighter touch, the Rice Pudding switch would be more suitable, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out, making it ideal for extended use without fatigue. Conversely, those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience may find the heavier forces of the Kailh BCP to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference regarding pressure sensitivity and typing comfort.

Travel distance

Both the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch feature a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this regard. This identical travel distance means users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on the keys, as both switches provide the same depth of key travel. Consequently, when using either switch, keyboard enthusiasts can achieve comparable actuation feedback, further enhancing the overall typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh BCP linear switch stands out with its poppy and clacky sound profile, characterized by a sharp, bright, and percussive quality when typing. This auditory feedback adds a delightful energy to the typing experience, making it quite engaging for users who appreciate pronounced acoustic sensations. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch is noted for its deep sound that delivers a satisfying auditory experience, yet specific descriptors for the acoustic nature of this switch aren’t provided. Therefore, while the BCP leans toward a more pronounced clack, the Rice Pudding appears to offer a more muted but still rewarding sound; both characteristics can significantly depend on the chosen keyboard and keycap materials.

When examining the feel, the BCP switch excels with its bouncy and creamy qualities. Users can expect a spring-like rebound when pressing the keys, contributing to a lively typing sensation. The creamy aspect suggests a smooth, buttery typing experience, reinforcing the ease and joy of gliding fingers across the keyboard with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch does not present any specific descriptions of its tactile qualities, leaving the tactile experience somewhat ambiguous. Hence, while the BCP offers a well-defined, enjoyable feel, we lack similar details to provide a concrete comparison to the Rice Pudding’s tactile nature.

In conclusion, both the Kailh BCP and Everglide Rice Pudding switches cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. The BCP shines with its distinct clacky sound and lively, creamy tactile experience, appealing to those who desire an engaging auditory and tactile feedback. The Rice Pudding switch, with its deep sound and unknown tactile characteristics, presents a compelling option for enthusiasts looking for a smooth and balanced typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether sound and feel are prioritized in your keyboard setup, as both switches can deliver satisfying performance but in different ways.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Kailh BCP linear switches and Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a medium-heavy switch and crave a tactile experience characterized by a bouncy and creamy feel, along with a pronounced clacky sound, then the BCP is likely your best bet. This switch is ideal for typists who appreciate a lively feedback sensation and want to make a statement with their keyboard sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a focus on smooth operation and precise feedback, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch may be more suited for you. Its balanced typing experience and compatibility with Wooting keyboards make it an excellent choice for gamers and enthusiasts who prioritize performance and versatility without sacrificing comfort. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths, so consider what aspects matter most to you—be it sound, feel, or functionality.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh BCP Linear

$5.00

$4.75 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more