Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Everglide Rice Pudding offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is celebrated for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, combined with a silky, seamless typing experience that is sure to appeal to users who relish auditory feedback and smooth key presses. Additionally, its unique light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, adding an eye-catching element to any setup. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches excel in delivering a satisfying and precise typing experience, characterized by a deeper sound profile, making them an excellent choice for those who prioritize a balanced feel. Furthermore, their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards gives them an edge in versatility for tech enthusiasts. Both switches have their compelling advantages, making the decision largely subjective based on individual preferences. 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
48g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Everglide Rice Pudding demonstrate significant contrasts in their bottom housing while showcasing similarities in their top housing, both of which are made of polycarbonate. The shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This commonality ensures that users who favor RGB lighting will find both options visually appealing due to their translucency, enhancing the aesthetic experience when the switches are illuminated. Consequently, users can expect similar lighting effects and visual flair from both keyboards, thanks to their respective polycarbonate top housings.
In contrast, the bottom housings of these two switches introduce a notable distinction. The Lightning Silver V3's bottom housing, also made of polycarbonate, maintains that bright and resonant sound profile characteristic of this material. This contributes to a cleaner bottom-out sound and feel, which complements the top housing's aesthetic qualities. The Rice Pudding, on the other hand, features a bottom housing made of nylon. The nylon's softer properties yield a deeper and fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound, ultimately creating a duller and rounder acoustic experience. With this reduction in sharpness, the Rice Pudding delivers a different tactile sensation and auditory feedback compared to the Lightning Silver V3.
The differing qualities of the top and bottom housings result in varied user experiences even if their top housings provide a certain level of uniformity. The feel and sound when bottoming out a key are heavily influenced by the bottom housing material. While both switches share the crispness of polycarbonate in the top, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom combines this signature sound with the clear and resonant tones, enhancing typing feedback. Conversely, the Rice Pudding's nylon bottom ensures a muffled and softer bottom-out experience. Therefore, although both switches can yield similar lighting benefits, the overall sound profile and tactile experiences diverge due to their respective bottom housing materials, leading to distinct user preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Lightning Silver V3 has an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, categorizing it as a medium-weight switch that offers a balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch is lighter, with an actuation force of just 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This lighter switch caters to users who prefer a gentler touch and less finger fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. While the Lightning Silver V3 provides a more substantial and tactile feel due to its higher bottom out force, the Rice Pudding offers a quicker, less resistant keystroke. Overall, individuals looking for a lighter switch should lean towards the Rice Pudding, while those who appreciate a stronger push feel may find the Lightning Silver V3 more appealing.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch differ slightly in travel distance, with the Lightning Silver V3 measuring 3.4 mm and the Rice Pudding at 3.5 mm. This means that for users who favor shorter travel distances for quicker response times—often a priority for gamers—the Lightning Silver V3 would be the preferred choice, as it offers a slightly more responsive feel. Conversely, the Rice Pudding's 3.5 mm travel distance provides a marginally deeper experience, which some users may find more satisfying for everyday typing and gaming, as it allows for a more deliberate keystroke. Ultimately, while the difference in travel distance is minimal, those who value subtle nuances in keystroke depth may lean towards the longer-travel Rice Pudding switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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.
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
The sound profile of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched tones, producing a sharp and snappy sound upon actuation that many typists find invigorating and satisfying. This type of sound can create an engaging typing experience, especially in environments where audio feedback is appreciated. Comparatively, the sound qualities of the Everglide Rice Pudding switches remain unspecified, leaving uncertainty about their auditory feedback. However, the descriptions of the Lightning Silver V3 suggest an emphasis on higher frequencies and a pronounced acoustic response, which will differ from potentially deeper or more muted sounds produced by other switch types.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 is noted for offering a silky and seamless typing experience. This smooth mechanism minimizes resistance, allowing for effortless key presses and releases, which can enhance overall typing speed and comfort. Unfortunately, the Everglide Rice Pudding lacks specific descriptions regarding its tactile feedback, making it challenging to draw direct comparisons. Nevertheless, the emphasis on smooth operation in the Rice Pudding name hints a possibly positive typing experience, though the exact feel remains undetermined.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is clearly defined by its clacky sound and silky feel, the characteristics of the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are less documented, particularly in the areas of sound and specific tactile quality. For those looking to make a decision, the Lightning Silver V3 promises a vibrant auditory and tactile profile, whereas the Rice Pudding's performance remains a fascinating unknown, potentially appealing to enthusiasts seeking something different or more versatile. The distinct experiences provided by each switch cater to varying preferences, ensuring that newcomers in the mechanical keyboard realm have enticing options to explore.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and use case. If you enjoy a more tactile sound and a typing experience characterized by a clacky and high-pitched signature, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams provides a satisfying feel while offering that silky smooth operation, making it well-suited for gaming or typing sessions where auditory feedback enhances your experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding switch, with its lighter 48 grams bottom-out force, is worth considering. This switch excels in providing a balanced and precise typing experience which is particularly valuable for those who prioritize comfort during extended use. Additionally, its compatibility with Wooting keyboards opens the door to innovative features for tech enthusiasts. Ultimately, it’s about weighing the auditory and tactile qualities you value most in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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