Everglide Oreo vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Sage are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for users. The Oreo is a tactile switch, known for its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. This switch provides a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience with a medium light tactility. Additionally, it produces a subtle and mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the Sage is a clicky switch that offers a distinct clicky typing experience. It has a heavy weight, providing a refreshingly sharp clickiness. The Sage switch is invigorating and produces a sharp and crunchy sound while typing. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and usage scenarios. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 housing materials of the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Sage, specifically their polycarbonate top housing, share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This can be attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it a favorable choice for those seeking a visually appealing switch.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Oreo and the Sage differ in their material choices. The Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which complements the top housing and further contributes to the overall sound profile and experience. Similarly to the top housing, the stiffness of polycarbonate in the bottom housing enhances the clarity and resonance of the bottom-out sound and feel.
In contrast, the Sage incorporates a nylon bottom housing. This classic switch housing material offers a different typing experience compared to polycarbonate. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This can be attributed to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound overall. Therefore, the Sage offers a distinct acoustic sensation compared to the Oreo due to its nylon bottom housing.
In summary, while both the Everglide Oreo and the Kailh Sage utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, their bottom housing materials differ, resulting in varied sound profiles and typing experiences. The Oreo's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing, while the Sage's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Regardless of these differences, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to an enhanced typing and sound experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, there are some notable differences. The Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch for triggering keystrokes. In contrast, the actuation force of the Sage is unknown, making it difficult to determine how it compares. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Oreo requires 55 grams of pressure, which falls under medium-light as well. On the other hand, the Sage has a bottom out force of 70 grams, indicating a medium-heavy touch.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch to enable longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. In this case, the Everglide Oreo would be a suitable choice due to its medium-light actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter touch allows for reduced fatigue over time. However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, a switch with heavier forces is preferred. The Kailh Sage offers a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a more pronounced keystroke feedback for individuals who enjoy a firmer typing sensation. By considering these factors, one can select the switch that best aligns with their typing preferences and usage scenarios.
Travel distance
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Kailh Sage clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Oreo offers a more traditional travel distance, whereas the Sage is slightly shallower. However, shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. For those who prioritize responsiveness, the Oreo with its shorter travel distance would be the preferred option. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial keystroke depth might find the longer travel distance of the Sage more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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 subtle and mellow sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, users can expect a quieter and more subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is described as having a distinct clicky typing experience. The Sage switch produces a refreshingly sharp clickiness, which can be satisfying for those who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is known for its medium light tactility, striking a balance between satisfying keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience. These switches offer a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. They can be described as accented and stepped, meaning they provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. In comparison, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is described as invigorating and sharp. The Sage switch offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. It features a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress.
In conclusion, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Oreo provides a subtle and mellow sound profile, while the Sage offers a distinct and sharp clicky typing experience. In terms of feel, the Oreo has a medium light tactility with a crisp and responsive bump, while the Sage is described as invigorating and sharp with a strong tactile bump. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. It is important to consider personal preferences and typing style when choosing between these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a satisfying typing experience with a medium-light tactility and a comfortable feel, the Everglide Oreo tactile switches would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer a delectable treat for your fingertips with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. The medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams strikes the perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the subtle and mellow sound profile of the Oreo switches adds to the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Kailh Sage clicky switches would be a great option for you. These switches provide a refreshing sharp clickiness, and their weight is quite heavy, offering a unique typing sensation. The medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams adds a satisfying feedback to each keypress. The sound profile of the Sage switches is described as crunchy, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Oreo tactile switches and the Kailh Sage clicky switches depends on your personal preference. If you enjoy a medium-light tactility, a comfortable typing experience, and a subtle sound profile, the Oreo switches would be the ideal choice. However, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience, with a medium-heavy feel and a crunchy sound, the Sage switches would be more suitable for you. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics, and it's important to consider your individual preferences when making a decision.
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