Haimu Orange Sea vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Haimu Orange Sea and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice can significantly impact your overall typing experience, and two intriguing options to consider are the Haimu Orange Sea and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches. The Haimu Orange Sea switches are celebrated for their impeccably smooth typing feel and neutral sound signature, making them a great choice for those who prefer a quiet yet satisfying keystroke. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches strike an excellent balance between smooth operation and a deep, resonant sound, providing a typing experience that feels both precise and gratifying. Additionally, the Rice Pudding switches are fully compatible with Wooting’s innovative keyboards, appealing to enthusiasts who value performance coupled with versatility. While both switches have distinct advantages—smoothness and quietness for the Orange Sea, and precision along with compatibility for the Rice Pudding—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The Haimu Orange Sea and the Everglide Rice Pudding share notable similarities in their housing materials, which significantly influence the overall sound characteristics of each switch. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is primarily attributed to the inherent stiffness of polycarbonate, leading to a clearer resonance when the keys are pressed. Additionally, both switches benefit aesthetically from this material due to its translucency, making it an excellent choice for users who wish to utilize RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through effectively for an enhanced visual effect.
In contrast to their identical top housing, the bottom housings of the Orange Sea and Rice Pudding are also made of nylon, a material recognized for its softer properties. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, distinguishing the auditory experience from that of the top housing. The nylon's ability to absorb sound contributes to a more muted and rounder sound, creating a rich acoustic texture that complements the sharper tones produced from the polycarbonate top. This combination of materials allows for an interesting interplay of sound profiles, with the nylon bottom housing providing a contrast to the crisper sounds of the polycarbonate top.
Ultimately, while both switches utilize the same housing materials, the distinct characteristics imparted by their construction ultimately lead to a well-balanced typing experience. The polycarbonate top housing enhances the brightness and clarity of each keystroke, while the nylon bottom housing comprises the body of the switch, yielding a full-bodied sound when bottoming out. Users can expect similar results in terms of sharpness and resonance but will experience a unique auditory blend due to the contrasting properties of the upper and lower housings, creating a harmonious soundscape that enhances typing enjoyment.
Weight
When comparing the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both offer relatively light specifications suitable for prolonged typing and gaming sessions. The Orange Sea features an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Rice Pudding has a slightly higher actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Although the actuation forces are quite similar, the Orange Sea is marginally lighter overall. This means that users who prefer a softer feel may find the Orange Sea more comfortable over extended use. However, those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Rice Pudding due to its slightly higher force requirements, providing a firmer sensation at actuation and bottom out. In summary, while both switches are on the lighter side, the Orange Sea is the lighter option, offering an easier typing experience, while the Rice Pudding provides a bit more resistance, making it preferable for users who enjoy a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Orange Sea boasts a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Rice Pudding offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Rice Pudding the option for those who prefer a more responsive feel, as its shorter distance can facilitate quicker keystrokes, which is often favored by gamers. Conversely, enthusiasts looking for a more substantial press may appreciate the Orange Sea's longer travel distance, which provides a more pronounced keypress for a deeper typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches fall within the range of modern trends toward shorter travel distances, the Orange Sea is the choice for those who prefer a little extra depth, making it the longer option in this comparison.
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 Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79 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
The sound profile of the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch is characterized by a neutral sound signature, which allows for a quieter typing experience that won't distract those in a shared workspace. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch offers a deeper sound when actuated, creating a more resonant auditory experience. While both switches provide a pleasant acoustic experience, the choice between them ultimately hinges on personal preference—if you desire a more subdued typing sound, the Orange Sea might be ideal, whereas if you prefer a more pronounced audio feedback, the Rice Pudding could be your pick. It's worth noting that the overall sound can also be influenced by other components of your keyboard build like the type of board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Haimu Orange Sea switch is renowned for its impeccably smooth operation, allowing for a seamless typing experience that many users find desirable. The Rice Pudding switch also prides itself on delivering smooth operation, but it adds the benefit of being a hall effect switch, which often provides a more consistent feel over time without the degradation typically associated with traditional mechanical switches. Both switches cater to users looking for a satisfying tactile experience, but those who appreciate the long-term consistency of hall effect technology may lean more towards the Rice Pudding.
In summary, both the Haimu Orange Sea and Everglide Rice Pudding switches present compelling options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Orange Sea offers a neutral sound and exceptionally smooth typing experience, while the Rice Pudding combines a deeper sound profile with a smooth and consistent feel, thanks to its hall effect technology. Your ultimate choice will depend on whether you prioritize a quieter, neutral typing experience or a more resonant and tactile one, as each switch provides unique yet satisfying qualities conducive to typists and gamers alike.
Conclusion
To summarize, when deciding between the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, consider your typing preferences and overall keyboard usage. If you prioritize a very smooth typing experience with a lighter touch—perfect for rapid key presses and extended typing sessions—the Orange Sea switch with its 45 grams of actuation force might be your go-to option. It offers the benefit of a neutral sound signature, making it ideal for quieter environments where you don’t want to disturb others. On the other hand, if you appreciate a slightly firmer feel and enjoy a deeper sound that enhances the tactile feedback of your typing experience, the Rice Pudding switch could be more to your liking, particularly with its 48 grams of actuation force. This switch also stands out for its compatibility with Wooting’s innovative keyboards, making it a great choice for those who desire flexibility and enhanced performance. Ultimately, the decision boils down to whether you prefer the airy smoothness of the Orange Sea or the balanced auditory and tactile satisfaction of the Rice Pudding.
Mentioned in this article
