Everglide Oreo vs. Outemu Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Outemu Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Oreo and Outemu Red offer two distinct experiences for users. The Everglide Oreo is a tactile switch that provides a satisfying typing experience with a crisp tactile bump at the top and a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. With a medium light tactility, these switches strike a balance between a responsive keystroke and comfortable typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Red is a linear switch that offers a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback. While the Oreo offers a subtle, mellow sound profile, the Red switch is more silent. If you prefer a tactile typing experience, the Oreo may be the way to go, but if you prefer a smooth and silent typing experience, the Red could be the better choice. 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
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.10 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Oreo and the Outemu Red both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic that creates a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Outemu Red stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than polycarbonate, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper tonality of the Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing.
Despite their differences in housing materials, the Everglide Oreo and the Outemu Red offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Oreo's polycarbonate top and bottom housings contribute to a sharper and more resonant sound, the Red's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound that may appeal to those seeking a softer typing experience. The use of different materials in the housings allows each switch to have its own distinct sound signature, providing users with options based on their sound preferences.
In terms of functionality, the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in determining the overall sound and feel of typing on a keyboard. The qualities of the bottom housing, such as impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, are felt when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This means that the choice of housing material for both the top and bottom of a switch can significantly affect the overall typing experience, with polycarbonate offering a sharper sound profile and nylon providing a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the selection of housing materials in switches like the Everglide Oreo and the Outemu Red allows for customization and personalization based on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, it is clear that the Oreo is lighter in both aspects. The Oreo tactile switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, whereas the Outemu Red linear switch has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, with the Oreo being slightly lighter overall. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Everglide Oreo would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Outemu Red switch for its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This ensures that the typing experience with both switches will be consistent in terms of the travel distance felt. Having the same travel distance means that whether you choose the Oreo or the Red switch, you can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel and travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
The Outemu Red comes in at $3.10 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 Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers a unique and playful chirpy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Red linear switch sound profile is unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides a satisfying accented typing experience, offering just the right amount of tactility without being overpowering or too subtle. Additionally, these switches feature a stepped design, delivering a smooth and controlled keystroke with distinct pre-travel and post-travel sensations. As for the Outemu Red linear switch, the feel is unknown, so it's challenging to draw a direct comparison in this aspect.
Overall, both the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a playful tactile experience with a chirpy sound profile, the Oreo switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch design with a smooth keystroke, the Outemu Red switch could be a suitable option. Ultimately, it's essential to consider your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between these two switches to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when it comes to choosing between the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, it all depends on your preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force and a delicate sound profile, the Oreo switches would be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and no tactile feedback, the Red switches would be more suited to your typing needs. Ultimately, consider how you like your key switches to feel and sound, as well as your desired typing experience, to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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