Cherry Nixie vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, selecting the right switch can dramatically influence your typing experience, and two popular options worth comparing are the Cherry Nixie and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2). The Cherry Nixie, a linear switch, is celebrated in the keyboard community for its substantial heft and textured feel, offering a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern materials that appeals to those who appreciate a "thocky" and low-pitched typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) represents a shift toward hall effect technology, providing a smooth and balanced keystroke with a neutral sound signature that any typing enthusiast would appreciate. The Sticky Rice switch excels in delivering a refined tactile sensation, enhanced by a dustproof stem that minimizes wobble and maximizes performance. Choosing between these two options largely hinges on whether you prefer the iconic, textured feedback of the Nixie or the silky-smooth consistency of the Sticky Rice. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
63.5g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Cherry Nixie and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches present an intriguing comparison in terms of their housing materials. The Nixie's top housing is crafted from nylon, a classic choice known for its capacity to absorb sound effectively. This quality results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, attributable to nylon's softer nature compared to harder plastics. In contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) opts for polycarbonate in its top housing, a material characterized by its rigidity and translucency. This results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is also more resonant, making it particularly effective for RGB setups due to its clarity. While both materials serve to influence sound, the Nixie's thicker and softer nylon inherently leads to a warmer auditory experience.
Both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, as both the Nixie and Sticky Rice (V2) use nylon. This parity means that when typing on either switch, the bottom housing contributes significantly to the overall typing feel and sound. The characteristics of nylon – absorbing sound and providing a fuller response – will lend a more muted outcome when the key bottoms out. Thus, despite the divergence in the top housings, the shared nylon bottom housing creates a similar underlying typing experience that emphasizes warmth and acoustics, akin to that of the Nixie.
When pressing down on either switch, the distinct roles of their housing materials become evident. For the Cherry Nixie, the nylon top housing contributes to a soft, muffled keystroke, enhancing its full sound profile. On the other hand, with the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), while the nylon bottom will provide a similar impact to the sound and feel, the polycarbonate top introduces a crisper auditory response on release, causing a more defined contrast between the two stages of the keystroke. This interplay highlights how both switches, despite their differing top housing materials, can yield a complementary experience when considering the overall actuation and sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry Nixie linear switch to the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Nixie switch demands a heavier actuation force of 63.5 grams, in contrast to the lighter 40 grams required by the Sticky Rice (V2). This means that typers who prefer a more substantial feel will likely gravitate towards the Nixie, while those who desire a lighter touch for extended typing sessions might find the Sticky Rice more suitable. Additionally, the bottom out force reinforces this contrast, as the Nixie reaches 80 grams compared to just 50 grams for the Sticky Rice. Consequently, the Nixie offers a heavier overall typing experience, while the Sticky Rice stands out as the lighter option, providing different benefits depending on user preferences.
Travel distance
The Cherry Nixie linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Nixie the longer travel switch by 0.5 mm, providing a more traditional feel that some users may appreciate for its deeper feedback when pressed. In contrast, the shorter travel distance of the Sticky Rice (V2) caters to those who prefer quicker response times, making it potentially more appealing for gamers who prioritize speed and performance. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches boils down to personal preference: the Nixie offers a more pronounced tactile experience, while the Sticky Rice allows for swifter actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.19.
The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sticky Rice (V2) 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
The sound profile of the Cherry Nixie linear switch is characterized by a distinctly thocky quality, providing a deep, rich acoustic experience that many keyboard enthusiasts cherish. This low-pitched sound delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, reminiscent of a hearty thud or a muted knock when keys are engaged and released. While the Nixie's sound signature is well-appreciated, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) does not have any described sound characteristics, leaving an aspect of its acoustic quality unknown. However, it's worth noting that the sound produced by either switch can be influenced by various factors, including the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps, which might introduce similarities in the acoustic profiles despite the lack of a detailed description for the Sticky Rice.
When it comes to feel, the Nixie asserts itself with a textured typing experience, featuring noticeable friction when pressed. This textured quality can provide an engaging tactile feedback that some typists find appealing, although it may not be suitable for everyone who prefers a smoother keystroke. Conversely, the feel of the Sticky Rice (V2) remains unspecified in the given information. As such, comparisons remain limited, but optimistically, both switches could potentially offer unique tactile sensations with their own preferences, possibly catering to different styles of typing.
In conclusion, both the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) offer intriguing features that can appeal to different segments of the keyboard community. The Nixie is known for its thocky sound profile and textured feel, fostering a tactile typing experience that many users adore. Meanwhile, the Sticky Rice (V2) promises a balanced nature that could match certain preferences in sound and feel, though specific qualities need further exploration. Collectively, enthusiasts can expect nuanced differences as well as potential similarities, depending on their individual preferences and the overall keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch ultimately hinges on your individual preferences for typing experience, force requirements, and sound characteristics. If you prefer a heavier typing experience that provides substantial feedback with a thocky sound, the Nixie is an excellent option. Its bottom-out force of 80 grams and textured feel create a robust typing experience that many traditionalists cherish. This switch is particularly suited for users who appreciate the tactile weight and are willing to engage in a more pronounced keystroke. Conversely, if you seek a lighter and smoother typing experience that still delivers satisfying acoustics, the Sticky Rice (V2) is the better choice. With a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, it offers an effortless keypress paired with a refined sound profile that meets the preferences of those who enjoy a straightforward and enjoyable typing feel. Thus, whether you gravitate towards the Nixie's substantial heft or the Sticky Rice's airy lightness, both switches promise a unique and satisfying experience tailored to different types of users.
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