KTT Mallo vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the KTT Mallo and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Mallo and the Everglide Rice Pudding stand out for their unique characteristics and distinct experiences they offer to typists. The KTT Mallo, recognized for its subtlety and finesse, provides a gentle tactile feedback that enhances the typing experience without being overly pronounced. Its medium-light feel and neutral sound signature make it a versatile choice, suitable for a variety of typing environments, especially for those who appreciate a more understated approach. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches excel in delivering a satisfying and smooth operation, characterized by their deeper sound profile, which many find enjoyable and engaging. Notably, their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds an element of versatility, making them appealing to performance enthusiasts. Ultimately, while both switches offer unique advantages tailored to different preferences, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Mallo and Everglide Rice Pudding both feature a top housing made from polycarbonate, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The polycarbonate material is known for its rigidity, allowing it to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. This is attributed to the stiffer properties of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, both switches benefit from the translucent nature of polycarbonate, which is particularly advantageous for users who utilize RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through more vibrantly. Thus, when it comes to their performance in terms of sound, both the Mallo and Rice Pudding can deliver similar auditory experiences due to their identical top housing materials.
In contrast, the bottom housing of the two switches differs as the KTT Mallo uses nylon while the Everglide Rice Pudding also employs nylon, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is characterized as a softer plastic compared to polycarbonate, which leads to the absorption of sound and creates a more subdued auditory signature. The use of nylon in both models plays a crucial role in how the overall sound is perceived, especially during typing. Unlike the sharper resonance of the polycarbonate top, the nylon bottom provides a rounder sound profile, enriching the tactile experience while typing. Thus, despite both switches utilizing the same bottom housing material, the depth of sound produced remains consistent across both models.
When evaluating the combined attributes of the KTT Mallo and Everglide Rice Pudding, it’s evident that their sound profiles are a result of the interaction between their respective housing materials. The polycarbonate tops contribute to a bright and clear sound, while the nylon bottoms anchor the auditory experience by adding warmth and depth. The differing properties of these materials ensure that when pressed, the impact of the switch characteristics is split—tactile feedback is primarily influenced by the nylon bottom housing, while the release sound resonates from the polycarbonate top. Together, these materials complement one another, allowing enthusiasts to achieve a well-balanced auditory experience whether typing on a Mallo or a Rice Pudding switch.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there are notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces. The Mallo does not specify an actuation force, but it has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch has a defined actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, categorizing it as light. This means that the Rice Pudding requires less force to trigger a keystroke, making it more suited for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, especially during extended usage. Conversely, the Mallo's medium-light bottom out force may appeal to users who desire a more substantial feel when typing. Therefore, for users concerned about overall weight, the Rice Pudding switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Mallo, which offers a heavier feedback experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we find a notable difference: the Mallo features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Rice Pudding has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Mallo's 4 mm depth aligns with a more traditional travel experience, offering a noticeable tactile feedback that some users may prefer for a more substantial keystroke. In contrast, the Rice Pudding’s 3.5 mm travel caters to enthusiasts who may favor quick response times, making it ideal for gaming scenarios where speed is prioritized. Ultimately, those who appreciate a hearty typing experience may lean towards the KTT Mallo, while those seeking a snappier feel might opt for the Everglide Rice Pudding.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
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
When comparing the sound profiles of the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Mallo is characterized by its neutral and subdued sound qualities. Its moderate actuation force ensures a sound that’s neither overpowering nor overly quiet, making it versatile for both home and professional settings. This subdued audio experience allows typists to engage in their work without drawing excessive attention. On the other hand, while the specific sound characteristics of the Rice Pudding have yet to be detailed, it is known for delivering a deeper sound experience, implying a potentially richer auditory feedback. However, the interplay between individual board and keycap choices will influence sound perception in both cases.
In terms of feel, the KTT Mallo switches are distinguished by their feathery, mild, and subtle tactile characteristics. This combination provides a light typing experience that reduces finger fatigue, making them ideal for long typing sessions. The stepped tactile feedback offers a gentle but noticeable bump in the keystroke, allowing for a comfortable transition without being jarring. The Everglide Rice Pudding switch does not have its tactile feedback features explicitly defined, so a direct comparison regarding feel cannot be drawn. However, it’s recognized for a smooth operation, which could indicate a different yet complementary tactile experience.
In summary, the KTT Mallo tactile switch excels in offering a balanced auditory and tactile experience with a gentle tactile feedback and a neutral sound signature. It’s user-friendly and suitable for a wide range of environments. While the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch promises a satisfying and precise experience with a deep sound profile, its tactile feel remains to be described. Overall, enthusiasts will find both switches compelling for different reasons, with the Mallo being a safer choice for a variety of use cases and the Rice Pudding catering to those seeking distinct performance features, particularly in compatibility with specialized keyboards.
Conclusion
To summarize, when deciding between the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it’s essential to consider your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a typing experience that balances subtle tactile feedback with a neutral sound profile, the KTT Mallo is an excellent choice. With its medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, it provides a gentle yet noticeable tactile sensation, making it ideal for extended typing sessions at the office or in a shared environment where noise may be a concern. On the other hand, if you relish a smoother operation and a more pronounced sound that adds character to your keystrokes, the Everglide Rice Pudding is the way to go. Its light actuation force of 48 grams lends itself to a satisfying and precise typing experience, particularly suited for gaming or performance-oriented tasks. Additionally, if you’re exploring advanced setups compatible with Wooting keyboards, the Rice Pudding is specifically designed for that versatility. Ultimately, your choice will depend on how you value tactile feedback versus smooth operation, along with your specific typing environments.
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