KTT Mannan Pipefish vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, two intriguing options emerge: the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Everglide Rice Pudding. The Mannan Pipefish, a linear switch, is celebrated for its effortless and enjoyable typing experience, characterized by its smooth linear action and light 45g actuation force. This makes it an ideal choice for casual typists seeking comfort and precision without unnecessary strain. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch offers a different appeal with its hall effect technology, delivering a satisfying sound and balanced feedback that may resonate with enthusiasts who appreciate performance and versatility. Additionally, Rice Pudding switches are compatible with Wooting’s innovative keyboard designs, further enhancing their allure for gamers and advanced users. While each switch has its unique strengths—whether it be the easy-to-press nature of the Pipefish or the rich auditory experience of the Rice Pudding—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Everglide Rice Pudding, it's noteworthy that both feature polycarbonate as their top housing material. This commonality ensures that both switches produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. The translucency of polycarbonate additionally makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting setups, as it allows for better light diffusion and visual impact. Consequently, users of either switch can expect a similar auditory experience upon key release, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional quality of their keyboard.
On the other hand, the bottom housing materials of the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Everglide Rice Pudding are both constructed from nylon. This material choice is significant, as nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a softer plastic, nylon contrasts with the clearer tones of polycarbonate by dampening the sound, which contributes to a more rounded and muted auditory experience when the key is pressed down. Thus, despite both switches utilizing the same materials in both their top and bottom housings, the overall sound profile will be a composite of the contrasting properties: the crispness from the polycarbonate and the warmth from the nylon.
In summary, while the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Everglide Rice Pudding utilize the same materials—polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom—they blend these properties to create distinct sound profiles. The resulting auditory experiences are characterized by a crisp release combined with a rich, full impact upon bottoming out. This synergy between the stiffer top housing and the softer bottom housing affords users of both switches an engaging typing experience, merging clarity and depth in sound to cater to various preferences in keyboard feel and acoustics.
Weight
The KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch both feature light weights, making them suitable for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. The Mannan Pipefish has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Rice Pudding exhibits slightly higher values with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Mannan Pipefish is marginally lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Rice Pudding. Despite these differences, both switches fall within a similar range, suggesting that users could expect somewhat comparable performance in terms of feel and responsiveness. Those who prefer a lighter touch may gravitate toward the Mannan Pipefish, while those who enjoy a slightly heavier action might find the Rice Pudding more appealing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, a clear distinction arises: the Mannan Pipefish features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Rice Pudding has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Mannan Pipefish the longer option, appealing to those who appreciate a more generous depth during presses, which can enhance the tactile experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding’s 3.5 mm travel distance, being shorter, caters to gamers who favor quicker response times and a more immediate feedback mechanism. While both switches serve different preferences, the choice between them ultimately hinges on whether one values responsiveness over depth in their typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
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 it comes to sound, the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch is characterized by a neutral sound profile. This makes it versatile for various typing environments, whether at home or in an office setting. It strikes a balance that caters to both beginners and advanced users alike. On the other hand, while the sound profile of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch has not been explicitly described, it is noted to produce a deep sound that typically is more resonant and satisfying. This suggests that while the Pipefish may be more subdued and muted, the Rice Pudding may offer a richer auditory experience, enhancing the pleasure of typing for those who appreciate acoustics as part of their keyboard experience.
In terms of feel, the KTT Mannan Pipefish excels with its easy-to-press action and polished finish, which provides a smooth and low-resistance typing experience. Its light actuation force of 45g allows for effortless keystrokes, reducing finger fatigue even during prolonged typing sessions. The polished nature of the switch further enhances this feel, ensuring smooth key travel and an overall refined typing experience. In contrast, the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is not defined in the available information. Therefore, it’s difficult to provide a direct comparison regarding keypress resistance or smoothness, leaving this quality unknown at this time.
In conclusion, both the KTT Mannan Pipefish and Everglide Rice Pudding switches present unique attributes that cater to different preferences. The Mannan Pipefish offers a balanced sound profile and a highly comfortable, polished typing experience that suits casual typists. The Rice Pudding, while lacking a detailed description of its feel, promises a satisfying auditory component to typing with its deep sound and remarkable compatibility with advanced keyboard technologies. When choosing between these switches, personal preference regarding sound and feel will ultimately determine which aligns best with your typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, your choice should depend on your typing style and preferences. If you are a casual typist or someone who prioritizes a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Mannan Pipefish is likely the better fit for you. Its light 45g actuation force, polished feel, and neutral sound profile combine to create a comfortable, low-impact atmosphere, making it ideal for long typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you are an enthusiast seeking a more nuanced blend of sound and performance, the Rice Pudding switch would be the preferable choice. With its 48g actuation force and unique compatibility with Wooting keyboards, it offers a satisfying tactile experience alongside deep sound quality, making it perfect for those who enjoy the auditory feedback and versatility in their typing tools. Ultimately, whether you choose the Mannan Pipefish for its ease or the Rice Pudding for its auditory appeal, both switches cater to different aspects of the mechanical keyboard experience.
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