Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Kailh NovelKeys Cream
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is a tactile switch known for its sharp tactile feel and rare blend of PBT top and bottom housing, providing a premium typing experience. These switches feature a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. With a medium-heavy feel and an accentuated bottom-out, the Moyu Blacks offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream is a linear switch that offers a heftier linear typing experience. With a fairly deep sound profile, these switches provide a satisfyingly deep but not overly intense sound while typing. They are categorized as buttery, low-pitched, textured, resonant, and invigorating. Both switches have their merits and appeal, but 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
50g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches differ in terms of their top and bottom housings. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In comparison, the NovelKeys Cream incorporates a POM top housing, providing a unique and pleasing sound profile on the deeper side, albeit relatively more muted. While both switches offer distinct sound experiences upon key release, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) delivers a more balanced and neutral sound, while the NovelKeys Cream offers a deeper yet relatively subdued sound.
When it comes to the bottom housings, both switches employ PBT and POM materials, respectively. The PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) contributes to its neutral sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the NovelKeys Cream creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound. This sound profile leans towards the deeper side, producing a more muted auditory experience compared to the Moyu Black (Dark Jade). Therefore, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, particularly influencing the bottom-out sound and feel.
Overall, while both switches offer their unique sound experiences, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream differ in their housing materials. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a more neutral and balanced sound profile with its PBT top and bottom housings. In contrast, the NovelKeys Cream offers a distinctive and deeper sound with its POM top and bottom housings, albeit with a relatively more muted effect. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and desired auditory experience, with each providing its specific qualities and characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Moyu Black has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the NovelKeys Cream's 55 grams. Similarly, the Moyu Black also has a lighter bottom out force of 67 grams in comparison to the Cream's 70 grams. Both switches fall under the category of medium-heavy in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces. So, while there is a slight difference in force required for keystrokes between these two switches, both offer a comparable level of weight which allows for extended typing sessions and a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm distance. Both switches offer a comfortable level of travel distance, allowing users to experience a satisfying key press. Whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Moyu Black or the smooth linear action of the NovelKeys Cream, both switches deliver a similar travel distance, ensuring a consistent typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Cream for $6.25.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch provides a resonant typing experience. This means that you can expect a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. The downstroke bump produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound, while the upstroke bump adds to the overall auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch offers a low-pitched sound profile. These switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches, but still provide a clean and sharp sound. It is important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch offers an accented and sharp tactile experience. Accented switches provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle, making them a medium tactile option. The Moyu Blacks have a distinct and crisp tactile bump that can be felt with each keypress, giving a high feedback intensity. On the other hand, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch is described as buttery and invigorating. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The Cream switches also offer pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel, making the typing experience immersive.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Moyu Blacks provide a resonant sound profile with a sharp, short, snappy, and punchy downstroke sound, while the Cream switches offer a low-pitched sound profile that is deep and moderately bass-heavy. In terms of feel, the Moyu Blacks have an accented and sharp tactile experience with a strong and crisp tactile bump, while the Cream switches offer a buttery and invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a smooth keystroke. It is important to consider personal preferences when choosing between these switches, as each provides a distinct typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a sharp and distinct tactile feel, with a medium-heavy actuation force and an abrupt bottom-out, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a rare and premium typing experience, with a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. In terms of sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has a resonant profile, providing a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a heftier linear typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch would be more suitable. These Cream switches have a fairly deep sound profile, surpassing the average switch but not excessively so. In terms of feel, the NovelKeys Cream offers a buttery and invigorating typing sensation, providing a smooth and uniform keystroke experience with pronounced feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the NovelKeys Cream comes down to your preference for tactile or linear switches and the specific typing experience you desire.
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