Durock Medium Tactile vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often get compared are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo. The Durock Medium Tactile is praised for its unique flavor of tactility, providing a pronounced yet balanced tactile feedback. Its jelly-like sound signature adds to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo offers a different kind of treat for your fingertips. With a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, these switches provide a pleasurable typing experience. While both switches fall under the tactile switch category, the Durock Medium Tactile is categorized as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', while the Everglide Oreo falls under 'Accented', 'Chirpy', and 'Stepped'. These general points provide a glimpse into what each switch has to offer. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. So, both switches will provide similar sound characteristics and aesthetic appeal when it comes to the top housing.
However, the housing materials differ when it comes to the bottom housing. The Medium Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Oreo contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound. This material's stiffness allows for a clearer sound profile. So, the Medium Tactile will offer a softer and more muffled bottom-out sound, while the Oreo will provide a crisper and more pronounced one.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the housing materials play a significant role. The Medium Tactile's properties will be more pronounced upon pressing down on a key, as the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the Oreo's top housing will have more influence on the sound when you release a key. So, while the sound profiles may differ slightly between the two switches, both will contribute to an overall satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo switch, there are notable differences in weight which can impact typing experiences. The actuation force of the Durock Medium Tactile switch is unavailable, while the Oreo switch requires an actuation force of 45 grams. This suggests that the Oreo switch has a lighter touch, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter and more effortless typing experience. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a weightier 65 grams, making it more substantial and providing a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Oreo switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, indicating a lighter touch for those who prefer a less forceful typing experience. Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a heavier actuation force but a similar bottom out force in comparison to the Everglide Oreo switch, providing a more satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar tactile experience in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is best known for its jelly-like sound signature. This suggests that when typing on these switches, there is a distinctive yet balanced sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is described as having a subtle, mellow sound profile. This indicates that the sound produced when typing on these switches is not as pronounced or distinctive as the Durock Medium Tactile. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, the overall sound experience may vary.
When it comes to feel, both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo tactile switches are described as having an accented and stepped tactile feel. This means that they offer a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. Additionally, stepped switches provide a two-stage tactile experience, where there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel felt during the keystroke. This results in a more gentle and mild tactile sensation compared to hypertactile switches. Both switches also offer a polished feel, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used and/or factory lubing, reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. Consequently, the typing experience on both switches will be comfortable and approachable to most, with no extreme characteristics.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Medium Tactile switch stands out for its pronounced yet balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers a crisp and responsive tactile bump, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. It also provides a subtle, mellow sound profile. While both switches share similar qualities such as an accented and stepped tactile feel, as well as a polished finish, they may deliver slightly different sound and feel experiences to the user. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience. However, it is worth noting that if one prefers a medium tactile switch with balanced sound and polished feel, both the Durock Medium Tactile and Everglide Oreo switches can provide similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force and a pronounced yet balanced tactility, the Durock Medium Tactile may be the perfect choice for you. This switch offers a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience, with a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is worth considering. These switches strike a great balance between tactility and comfort, and they produce a subtle, mellow sound profile. Both switches feature an accented and stepped feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Oreo hinges on your preference for bottom out force and the specific sound and feel characteristics that resonate with you.
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