Cherry MX Brown vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, two standout options are the Cherry MX Brown and the Everglide Rice Pudding. The Cherry MX Brown is celebrated for its subtlety, delivering a light typing experience characterized by gentle tactile feedback and low-pitched audio. This makes it an ideal option for typists and casual gamers who appreciate a quiet yet responsive feel without an overwhelming auditory presence. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches shine with their smooth operation and deep sound, offering a balanced typing experience that brings both satisfaction and precision to users. Moreover, they boast compatibility with Wooting's versatile keyboards, appealing to enthusiasts who seek elevated performance and adaptability in their setups. While both switches provide unique advantages—whether it be the Cherry MX Brown's subtle tactility or the Rice Pudding's engaging smoothness—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Cherry MX Brown Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$4.00 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown switches and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, a notable distinction emerges in their top housing materials. The Cherry MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing which is known for its softness, allowing it to absorb sound effectively. This property results in a deeper and fuller sound profile that characterizes the typing experience on Cherry MX switches. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing, which is inherently stiffer. This stiffness leads to a higher-pitched and crisper sound when typing, contributing to a clearer resonance. Therefore, while both switches facilitate unique auditory experiences, the MX Brown's nylon material focuses on warmth and depth, whereas the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate offers sharp brilliance.

Interestingly, both the Cherry MX Brown and the Everglide Rice Pudding share their bottom housing material: nylon. This commonality results in a similar auditory experience when pressing down on the switches. The nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches generate a deeper, rounder sound profile that is consistent across both models. In this case, even though the top housings produce distinct sound characteristics due to their differing materials, the nylon bottoms anchor the auditory impression, bringing a cohesive depth to the overall experience for both switches. Consequently, users can expect a certain consistency in the feel and sound when bottoming out, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials.

Overall, the contrasting materials for the top housings of the Cherry MX Brown and Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide a richer understanding of how switch design influences sound profiles and tactile feedback. The MX Brown excels in offering a plush and warm typing experience thanks to its nylon top, while the Rice Pudding provides a clear and bright typing sensation through its polycarbonate top. However, the shared nylon bottom housing serves to balance these differences, ensuring that both switches retain a similar depth and resonance during bottoming out regardless of the materials’ disparities. The combination of these elements means that typists can choose their switch based on sound preference while still gaining a comparable tactile experience from either switch.

Weight

When comparing the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch with the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The MX Brown requires an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch operates with a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This makes the Rice Pudding switch the lighter option overall, which can be advantageous for users who prefer easier keystrokes during long typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the MX Brown, with its slightly heavier forces, offers a more substantial push feel that might appeal to those who enjoy a firmer typing experience. This contrast highlights the choice between a lighter touch for extended use versus a heavier feel for those who favor a tactile response.

Travel distance

The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference of 0.5 mm makes the MX Brown the longer of the two switches, which might be preferred by those who appreciate a more pronounced key press and a depthier feel. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch, with its shorter travel distance, could cater to gamers looking for quicker response times and a more immediate actuation. While both switches offer distinct tactile feedback, the MX Brown provides a more substantial travel experience, whereas the Rice Pudding's reduced travel distance may feel more abrupt to some users. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound characteristics of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the MX Brown offers a sound profile that is best described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a richer and deeper auditory experience during key presses. This low frequency often results in a more subdued auditory feedback that can be pleasantly calming for many users. In contrast, there is insufficient information available regarding the sound profile of the Rice Pudding switch; however, it is noted to deliver a deep sound, which may suggest a similarly rich audio experience. Given that sound can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard construction and keycaps, the MX Brown’s bassy qualities suggest a more pronounced tactile experience compared to the potentially more neutral sound some may find with the Rice Pudding.

In terms of tactile feel, the Cherry MX Brown switches are characterized by their textured sensation, which introduces a certain amount of friction when pressed. This tactile feedback can enhance the typing experience for users who appreciate a more involved interaction with their switches. On the other hand, there is no specific information detailing the feel of the Rice Pudding switch; it is known for offering a smooth operation, suggesting a possibly softer and more fluid experience. While both switches cater to different preferences, those who enjoy the tactile, slightly textured feel of the MX Browns might find their experience distinct compared to what the smoother Rice Pudding might provide.

In summary, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switches offer a nuanced audio experience with bassy, low-pitched sounds and a textured feel that enhances tactile feedback. In contrast, while the information on the Rice Pudding's sound is not detailed, it is suggested that they provide a deep sound profile along with a smooth operation. This indicates that while both switches can cater to differing preferences, users seeking an engaging tactile experience will likely favor the MX Brown, whereas those looking for a smoother, potentially quieter experience may be drawn to the Rice Pudding. Ultimately, the decision will depend on an individual’s personal preferences regarding feedback and sound in their typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Cherry MX Brown and Everglide Rice Pudding switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and how you intend to use your keyboard. If you appreciate a subtle typing experience with a gentle tactile bump, a medium-light force, and a rich, bassy sound, the Cherry MX Brown is an excellent choice. These switches are ideal for everyday typing tasks, offering comfort and a satisfying feedback loop without being too loud or distracting, making them well-suited for shared environments or lengthy typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a smooth yet satisfying operation and want a keyboard that’s geared towards enthusiasts with some extra versatility, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches might be your best bet. With their lighter actuation force and a balanced typing feel, they provide a great option for both casual and competitive gaming while fully integrating with innovative keyboards like those from Wooting. Ultimately, consider the sound profile, tactile characteristics, and your specific use case to make the best decision that aligns with your typing style and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Cherry MX Brown Tactile

$4.00 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more