Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Everglide Rice Pudding, each offering distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Oil King (V2) is celebrated for its buttery smooth action and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping—appealing for those who favor linear switches that provide a silky typing experience. Its low-pitched, creamy, and polished feel makes it an ideal choice for users who prioritize a quiet and seamless keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding, a hall effect switch, strikes an impressive balance between smooth operation and deep sound, providing a typing experience that is both satisfying and precise. Adding to its allure, the Rice Pudding switch is fully compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards, making it a versatile option for enthusiasts who value performance. While both switches have their own unique strengths and cater to varying preferences, 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
55g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Everglide Rice Pudding, one notable contrast lies in their top housing. The Oil King (V2) utilizes nylon for its top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon’s softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials. In contrast, the Rice Pudding's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that facilitates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it particularly appealing for keyboard enthusiasts who enjoy RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through beautifully. Thus, the choice of top housing material plays an important role in shaping the acoustic experience of each switch, with the Oil King offering a muted resonance, while the Rice Pudding emphasizes clarity.
Looking at the bottom housings of both switches, another interesting difference arises. The Gateron Oil King (V2) features a proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, which delivers a distinctly high-pitched, clacky sound. This contributes to the overall auditory experience of the switch, particularly during bottoming out. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding's bottom housing also utilizes nylon, which gives it that familiar deepened sound profile akin to its top housing. As a result, the two switches can present different acoustic signatures depending on which part of the switch is being engaged, with the Oil King favoring a higher pitch while the Rice Pudding leans towards a fuller sound.
Ultimately, the contrasting housing materials lead to unique auditory effects that can create similar, yet distinct typing experiences. While the Gateron Oil King (V2) combines a nylon top with an INK blend bottom for a more varied sound dynamic, the Rice Pudding utilizes nylon in its top to match its bottom housing. This creates a unified aural character, producing deeper tones across the board, while still allowing for the intrinsic qualities of both switches to shine through during use. However, when it comes to a quiet, rounded sound profile, the Oil King (V2) may provide more versatility, whereas the Rice Pudding offers a consistent experience with an appeal towards brighter acoustics, particularly influenced by its use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
Weight
The Gateron Oil King (V2) linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch present a distinct contrast in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces. The Oil King (V2) boasts an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Rice Pudding offers a lighter experience with an actuation force of just 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for users seeking a softer touch for long typing sessions or gaming. While both switches provide tactile feedback, the Oil King (V2) requires a stronger push, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feeling during use. Thus, the Rice Pudding is the lighter switch, ideal for those who prioritize ease and comfort, while the Oil King (V2) caters to users who appreciate a heftier keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Oil King (V2) linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it's clear that they cater to different preferences in key feel and responsiveness. The Oil King (V2) boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option that offers a deeper press, which may appeal to users who appreciate a heartier key feel. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, providing a shorter travel that may resonate more with gamers seeking quick responses and faster actuation. Thus, while both switches offer distinct advantages depending on user preference, the Oil King (V2) is the longer option, and the Rice Pudding is the shorter option. Choosing between them ultimately depends on whether one prioritizes the deeper, more substantial feedback of the 4 mm travel or the snappier, responsive feel of the 3.5 mm travel.
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 Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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 Gateron Oil King (V2) linear switch presents a low-pitched, bassy quality that is both deep and rich, akin to the satisfying snap of dark chocolate. This sound profile enhances the overall auditory experience during typing, providing a mellow tone that many users find enjoyable. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch does not have specific sound characteristics detailed, leaving its sound profile somewhat unknown. However, it's essential to consider that sound can vary significantly based on the keyboard build and choice of keycaps, meaning users may still experience a satisfying auditory sensation.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Oil King (V2) excels with its creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. This smoothness can be attributed to factory lubrication and the materials used, creating a gliding sensation that allows fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch does not have specific descriptions of its feel, leaving potential users with uncertainty regarding its tactile characteristics. Nevertheless, the Oil King's established reputation for smooth keystrokes offers a compelling option for those prioritizing a refined typing experience.
In summary, the Gateron Oil King (V2) and Everglide Rice Pudding switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Oil King is lauded for its rich, low-pitched sound and exceptionally smooth typing experience, while the Rice Pudding lacks detailed auditory and tactile descriptions. Typing on the Oil King provides a satisfying auditory and physical feedback, whereas the exact qualities of the Rice Pudding remain to be explored. For users seeking a silky experience, the Oil King stands out, but those considering the Rice Pudding may need to seek additional insights regarding its characteristics.
Conclusion
To conclude, when making your choice between the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, consider your typing preferences and the kind of experience you desire. If you gravitate towards a heavier switch and appreciate a richly textured sound profile, the Oil King (V2) may be your best option. With its buttery and creamy feel, it offers a satisfying tactile experience that is ideal for those who enjoy a bit of weight in their keystrokes, making it particularly suitable for gaming or typing sessions where feedback and sound matter to you. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smooth, precise experience, the Rice Pudding hall effect switch could be more aligned with your needs. Its lower actuation force makes it an excellent choice for rapid typing and extended use, while its compatibility with Wooting keyboards provides an added layer of flexibility for enthusiasts who value performance and innovation. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prefer the pronounced feel and sound of the Oil King (V2) or the sleek operation of the Rice Pudding.
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