Everglide Oreo vs. Kailh Plum

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Plum both offer tactile feedback, but they differ in several ways. The Everglide Oreo is best known for its medium light tactility, providing a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience. It features a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. Additionally, this switch has a subtle and mellow sound profile, creating a pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum stands out for its uniqueness. Despite feeling hefty, it doesn't have a significant tactile bump like many other tactile switches. The Plum offers a neutral and enjoyable sound profile. The choice between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Housing materials

The Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Plum both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice leads to similar qualities in terms of sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches with RGB lighting, allowing for the illumination to shine through. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics when comparing the top housings of the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Plum.

While the top housings of both switches share the same material, their bottom housings differ. The Everglide Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Kailh Plum utilizes a nylon bottom housing. This distinction in material leads to differences in the sound profiles of the switches. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Oreo contributes to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound, emphasizing the impact when a key is fully pressed. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Plum elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a duller and rounder bottom-out sound. These differences in material contribute to varying typing experiences and sound preferences for users.

In summary, the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Plum share similar qualities due to their polycarbonate top housings. Both switches produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing is advantageous for RGB lighting. However, their bottom housings differ, with the Oreo featuring a polycarbonate bottom housing and the Plum utilizing a nylon bottom housing. These variations in material influence the bottom-out sound and feel, with the Oreo providing a sharper impact and the Plum offering a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, users can choose between these switches based on their desired sound profile and typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, one notable difference is their actuation and bottom out forces. The Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light in terms of weight. On the other hand, the Plum's actuation force is unknown, but its bottom out force is 70 grams, which falls under the medium-heavy category.

For individuals who prefer a lighter feel while typing, the Oreo switch would be a suitable choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for a smoother typing experience and may be favored by those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. On the contrary, the Plum switch provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force. This can give users a stronger push feel, ideal for those seeking a more pronounced tactile feedback while typing.

It is worth mentioning that if the actuation forces of both switches were the same, users could expect similar results in terms of typing experience. However, in this case, the Oreo is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Plum switch. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Kailh Plum tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Oreo has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Plum switch. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Oreo falls within the more common range of 4.0 mm, while the Plum is slightly shallower at 3.6 mm. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among gamers who value quicker response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Plum switch with its shorter travel distance may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper key press, the Oreo switch with its slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The subjective qualities of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch can be compared in terms of sound and feel.

Starting with sound, the Oreo switch offers a subtle and mellow sound profile. It is described as "chirpy," with a unique acoustic signature that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Plum switch provides a neutral and enjoyable sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. It does not have a distinct sound characteristic and can be used by beginners or advanced users alike. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to feel, the Oreo switch is characterized as accented and stepped. It falls into the category of medium tactile switches, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. It has a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. Similarly, the Plum switch also has a stepped feel, which means it has two stages in its tactile feedback. It is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience without being too harsh or lacking tactile feedback.

In conclusion, the Everglide Oreo and Kailh Plum tactile switches have their unique qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The Oreo switch has a subtle and mellow sound profile with accented and stepped feel, striking a balance between tactility and comfort. On the other hand, the Plum switch offers a neutral sound profile and a stepped feel, providing a gentle typing experience. While they may have different characteristics, both switches offer satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing experiences. Depending on personal preferences, choosing either switch can result in similar results in terms of sound and feel.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-light switch that offers a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is a great choice. The Oreo switch provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. It strikes a perfect balance between tactile feedback and weightiness. Additionally, the Oreo switch has a subtle, mellow sound profile, which can be appealing to those who prefer quieter keyboards.

On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a unique tactile experience, the Kailh Plum tactile switch might be the one for you. The Plum switch feels quite hefty but doesn't have a huge tactile bump, making it distinct from other tactile switches. It offers a pleasant typing experience without being overwhelming. The sound profile of the Plum switch is neutral and enjoyable, suitable for various purposes including work and home use.

Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Plum switches comes down to your personal preference in terms of weight, tactility, and sound. Consider whether you prefer a medium-light switch with a satisfying keystroke and subtle sound profile, or a medium-heavy switch with a unique tactile feel and a neutral sound profile. Both switches offer their own advantages, so evaluate your typing style and desired experience to make the best decision.

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