Cherry MX Black vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Black and the Everglide Rice Pudding offer two distinct yet compelling choices. The Cherry MX Black switches are renowned for their linear action, delivering a smooth and consistent keystroke without tactile feedback. This switch is characterized by a low-pitched, textured sound profile and a stiffer actuation, making it a favorite among typists who enjoy a solid feel while minimizing accidental key presses. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches utilize a hall effect mechanism, providing a unique blend of smooth operation with a satisfying deep sound. They are designed to offer a balanced typing experience, appealing to enthusiasts who prioritize precision and versatility, particularly due to their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. While both switches excel in their own right, each caters to different preferences and styles of use. 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
60g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
80g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Black and the Everglide Rice Pudding reveals notable differences, particularly in their top housings. The Cherry MX Black utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's relatively softer texture, which absorbs sound waves more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding employs a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate, combined with its translucent nature, not only enhances sound clarity but also makes the switch more visually appealing, especially when RGB lighting is incorporated. Thus, while both switches deliver quality performance, they do so through distinct acoustic and aesthetic properties.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both the Cherry MX Black and the Everglide Rice Pudding share a similar material—nylon. The nylon bottom housing contributes to a consistent sound profile characterized by a fuller and rounder auditory experience, as it dampens sound waves. This resemblance mitigates the divergence found in their top housings. Regardless of the contrasting materials above, the nylon's sound-absorbing qualities provide a foundation that aligns both switches in terms of the audible experience when bottoming out. Ultimately, this consistency in material for the bottom housing ensures a relatively similar sensation when the keys are pressed down.
The interplay between the top and bottom housings in both switches is crucial in determining their overall sound and feel characteristics. With the MX Black featuring a softer nylon top, users might notice a smoother return sound, while the Rice Pudding’s stiffer polycarbonate top leads to a sharper release. However, since both switches utilize nylon at the bottom, the bottoming-out experience remains uniformly muted for both, providing a satisfying tactile feedback across the board. Consequently, even though the tops differ significantly, the foundational qualities of the nylon bottom housing help maintain a level of cohesion in performance, allowing users to achieve their desired typing experience with either switch.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a significant difference in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Cherry MX Black has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, categorizing it as a heavier switch. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding boasts a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This disparity makes the Rice Pudding ideal for those who prefer a lighter key feel for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons, while the MX Black may be more suitable for users seeking a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier push. Overall, the MX Black is the heavier option, whereas the Rice Pudding is notably lighter, catering to different preferences in typing and gaming dynamics.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch measures a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference means that the MX Black provides a more substantial depth with its longer travel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile and deliberate typing experience. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding's shorter travel distance is likely to appeal to gamers or those seeking quicker response times, making it feel more responsive for fast-paced tasks. Overall, if you enjoy a deeper feel when typing, the Cherry MX Black is the better choice, while the Everglide Rice Pudding offers a snappier, more immediate feedback with its shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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 Cherry MX Black switch produces a low-pitched tone that is rich and bass-heavy, resulting in a mellow and pleasing auditory experience while typing. This deep sound profile can enhance the overall satisfaction derived from keystrokes. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch also features a deep sound but lacks specific descriptors for its auditory characteristics. Nevertheless, it promises a balanced typing experience that is both satisfying and precise, suggesting a potentially similar resonance to that of the MX Black, though the exact tonal quality remains unspecified.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Black switch has a distinctly textured surface, which adds a level of tactile feedback when typing. Users will notice this friction, as well as a significant stiffness requiring greater force to actuate. This makes it particularly appealing for those who enjoy a more deliberate typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch lacks detailed descriptions about its tactile feedback and stiffness, leaving its precise feel largely unknown. However, given that both switches are linear, one might expect a smoother operation than tactile or clicky switches, yet they may differ significantly in the level of discernible texture and stiffness.
Overall, while the Cherry MX Black switches are praised for their textured feel and deep sound profile, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches offer a compelling alternative with their emphasis on smooth operation and versatility, particularly for users interested in Wooting keyboards. Despite the uncertainties regarding the Rice Pudding's sound and feel, fans of linear switches can potentially find satisfaction in either option, as they are designed to provide an enjoyable typing experience, albeit through slightly varying qualities.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, consider your typing preferences and overall usage. If you enjoy a heavier feel with a bottom-out force of 80 grams and prefer a switch that provides a textured experience and a low-pitched sound profile, the Cherry MX Black is a solid choice. These switches excel in stability and durability, making them ideal for gamers or individuals who typfically engage in intense typing sessions. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter keypress with a bottom-out force of just 48 grams, the Everglide Rice Pudding offers a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a unique deep sound. This switch is particularly appealing to gamers and keyboard enthusiasts looking for versatility, especially when combined with innovative keyboards like those from Wooting. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by whether you value a grittier, more substantial typing feel or a softer, more fluid keystroke.
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