Everglide Oreo vs. KTT Rose
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the KTT Rose switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Oreo, a tactile switch, and the KTT Rose, a linear switch, offer distinct features that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards. The Oreo is best known for its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, providing a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. It strikes the perfect balance between a tactile sensation and cushioned bottoming out, accompanied by a subtle and mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the Rose switches captivate with their beautiful appearance while offering a uniquely substantial typing experience. The use of progressive springs lends a substantial feel without being too heavy, resulting in a satisfying typing experience that is accompanied by a bassy raindrop sound. While these generalities are helpful in understanding the key differences between these switches, it's essential to delve deeper into their specific characteristics to make an informed decision on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Oreo and the KTT Rose have some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches with RGB lighting. Similarly, the Rose also incorporates polycarbonate in its top housing, offering comparable acoustic properties and aesthetic benefits.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Oreo employs polycarbonate while the Rose utilizes nylon. The Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to its sound profile and feel, resulting in a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound. Conversely, the Rose's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. This leads to a duller and rounder sound when typing on the Rose.
Ultimately, the choice of housing materials for the top and bottom of these switches affects the sound and feel differently. The qualities of the top housing primarily influence the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Both the Oreo and the Rose showcase the unique characteristics of polycarbonate and nylon, respectively, offering distinct acoustic experiences to cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the KTT Rose linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is on the lighter side, while the Rose's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to compare. However, the bottom out force of the Oreo is 55 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Rose's 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Oreo would be a suitable option, as its actuation force allows for smoother typing or gaming sessions that can last for longer periods of time. On the other hand, individuals who value a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Rose, as its heavier bottom out force provides a stronger push feel.
In terms of weight, the Oreo can be considered lighter compared to the Rose due to its lower bottom out force. This lighter weight could make it a more appealing choice for those who need to use their keyboard extensively throughout the day or engage in prolonged gaming sessions. However, it's important to note that if a similar typing or gaming experience is desired, despite the differences in actuation and bottom out forces, both switches can still provide comparable results.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the KTT Rose linear switch have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom.
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 KTT Rose comes in at $3.01 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 Everglide Oreo tactile switch is best known for its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. This switch offers a medium light tactility, striking a perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. When typing on the Oreo switches, users experience a subtle and mellow sound profile.
On the other hand, the KTT Rose linear switch stands out for its use of progressive springs, which provides a uniquely substantial but not heavy typing experience. Typing on these switches produces a sound similar to bassy raindrops.
Comparing the sound of both switches, the Oreo is described as having a chirpy sound profile, featuring a slight squeak that sets it apart from other switches. The Rose, on the other hand, has a low-pitched sound with a bass-heavy and mellow tone. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Oreo is described as an accented and stepped switch. It provides a medium tactile experience with a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Users can feel both pre-travel and post-travel, giving it a stepped feel. On the other hand, the Rose offers a mild typing experience, with qualities that stand in a safe and middle-ground zone. It is also described as polished, providing a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the KTT Rose linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Oreo provides a subtle and mellow sound profile, accompanied by a medium-light tactile feel with both accented and stepped characteristics. In contrast, the Rose produces a low-pitched sound with a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while offering a mild and polished typing experience. Both switches have their unique qualities, and the choice between them would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. However, if you are looking for a similar balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfort, the Everglide Oreo may provide a comparable experience to the KTT Rose.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch would be an excellent choice. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches strike the perfect balance between tactility and ease of use. The crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, offers a delectable treat for your fingertips. Additionally, the subtle and mellow sound profile of the Oreos adds to the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a unique and substantial typing experience, the KTT Rose linear switch would be more suitable. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a satisfying amount of resistance without being overly heavy. The use of progressive springs contributes to the tactility of the Rose switches. When typing on them, you can expect to hear bassy raindrops, adding to the elegance of these switches.
In terms of sound, the Oreo switches have a chirpy sound profile that sets them apart from the rest. On the other hand, the Rose switches offer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and environments.
When it comes to feel, the Oreo switches are described as accented and stepped, providing a medium tactile experience with a prominent amount of tactility. In comparison, the Rose switches offer a mild and polished typing experience. With a safe middle-ground feel, the Rose switches are approachable to most users, and the polished finish ensures smooth and refined key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the KTT Rose linear switch depends on your preferences for tactility, sound, and typing experience. Consider your desired level of resistance, sound profile, and typing feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
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