KTT Laurel vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two notable contenders emerge: the KTT Laurel and the Everglide Rice Pudding. The KTT Laurel is a medium-light linear switch renowned for its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design, offering a harmonious blend of responsiveness and comfort along with a subtly low-pitched sound profile. This makes it an appealing choice for users who prioritize smooth keystrokes and a snappy feel, making it ideal for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its unique hall effect mechanism, which delivers a smooth operation paired with a deep, satisfying sound. This switch provides a balanced typing experience, perfect for enthusiasts who value precision and versatility, particularly because of its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While both switches cater to different preferences—one focusing on lightness and responsiveness, the other on smoothness and depth—each offers distinct advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique needs and typing style.

By the numbers

KTT Laurel Linear

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$4.42

$3.95 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials used in the KTT Laurel and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches showcase distinct characteristics that significantly influence their sound profiles. The KTT Laurel utilizes POM material for its top housing, which is noted for producing a deeper and more muted sound profile. This unique quality creates an incredibly pleasing auditory experience, making it favored by those who appreciate a rich and subtle typing sound. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding employs polycarbonate in its top housing, which contributes to a higher-pitched and crisper sound. The difference in rigidity between POM and polycarbonate plays a crucial role in defining these sound profiles, with polycarbonate's stiffness resulting in a clearer and more resonant output, particularly advantageous for RGB lighting effects due to its translucency.

When examining the bottom housings, there are further contrasts that underline how these materials shape the overall sound experience. The KTT Laurel's bottom housing, also made from POM, continues to deliver that pleasing and muted auditory quality, thereby reinforcing the deeper sound profile that the top housing provides. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding employs nylon for its bottom housing, a material renowned for creating a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound waves than the harder POM, resulting in a softer tactile feedback and a more rounded auditory experience. This difference in design contributes to the complexity of sound profiles, with the nylon bottom of the Rice Pudding adding substantial depth compared to the more muted attributes of the Laurel.

Despite these differences in materials, the overall impact of the switch's construction cannot be overlooked. Each switch's performance results from the combined attributes of both the top and bottom housings. The POM top housing of the Laurel enhances the deeper sound output created by its POM bottom, creating a harmonious effect that delivers a rich typing experience. Conversely, the polycarbonate top of the Everglide Rice Pudding, paired with a nylon bottom, yields a balanced sound that features sharpness and a fuller depth. While they possess different auditory characteristics, both designs effectively evoke unique sound experiences, serving distinct preferences among typists. Ultimately, both switches demonstrate how the interplay between different housing materials can shape sound profiles, leading to varied yet harmonious typing experiences.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both options feature relatively light forces, making them suitable for users who favor prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming. The KTT Laurel has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Everglide Rice Pudding is even lighter with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Rice Pudding switch provides an easier actuation, requiring less force to initiate a keystroke. While both switches exhibit slight differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, the Rice Pudding is lighter overall, appealing to users seeking a gentler typing experience. If one values a heavier push feel for a more substantial tactile experience, they may prefer options like the Laurel, which, while still light, requires slightly more force than the Rice Pudding. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference regarding actuation and overall typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, meaning they require the same amount of movement from the top to the bottom when pressed. This similarity in travel distance suggests that users will experience a comparable feel when typing or gaming with each switch, as both will provide the same keypress depth. Since their travel distances are identical, users can expect similar responsiveness and actuation feedback, making either switch a viable option based on other features such as sound or tactile response.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound characteristics of the KTT Laurel switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding switch, the KTT Laurel is noted for its low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that can be both pleasing and unobtrusive during typing sessions. This quality often contributes to a more relaxed atmosphere when using the keyboard. In contrast, while specific details regarding the sound of the Rice Pudding switch are not provided, it is known to deliver a deep sound experience that indicates a rich auditory signature. However, without explicit descriptions or sound levels, it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the two. Ultimately, both switches aim for a premium auditory experience, and the exact sound can also vary depending on the keyboard build and keycap material used.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the KTT Laurel features a snappy response due to its medium-light linear design, facilitating a typing experience that feels both alive and engaging. This responsiveness is likely a result of its long pole design and POM housing, which optimize the actuation and recovery of the switch. Conversely, the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is not explicitly described, leaving uncertainty about the tactile feedback and actuation force one might expect. While the Rice Pudding is celebrated for its smooth operation, the subjective experience could vary significantly if the switch’s specific feel characteristics are not available.

In conclusion, both the KTT Laurel and Everglide Rice Pudding switches cater to enthusiasts who appreciate nuanced auditory and tactile experiences. The KTT Laurel excels with its low-pitched sound and snappy feel, while the Rice Pudding promises a deep sound and smooth operation, although it lacks detailed descriptions of its feel. Ultimately, if one's priority is responsiveness and sound, the KTT Laurel might be the preferred choice; however, both switches potentially offer an impressive experience for mechanical keyboard users.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the KTT Laurel linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you seek a light and snappy typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Laurel is an excellent option. Its medium-light force of 50 grams and responsive feel will make your typing more dynamic and lively, offering great comfort during long sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother operation and a satisfying, deep sound, the Everglide Rice Pudding may be the better choice for you. Its slightly lighter bottom out force of 48 grams, combined with compatibility for Wooting keyboards, gives you both versatility and a balanced feedback experience. In summary, choose the Laurel for a more energetic typing experience and the Rice Pudding for a smoother, more mellow feel, ensuring that each switch can cater to different typing styles and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Laurel Linear

$4.42

$3.95 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more