Everglide Oreo vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Oreo and the Durock Sea Glass, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct characteristics for an enhanced typing experience. The Everglide Oreo is a tactile switch that delights your fingertips with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. With a medium light tactility, these switches strike the perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing. Additionally, the Oreo emits a subtle, mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass is a linear switch that stands out with its captivating selection of five pastel colors. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while maintaining remarkable smoothness. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Furthermore, typing on these switches reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Oreo and the Durock Sea Glass have different housing materials for both their top and bottom housings. The Oreo utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, while the Sea Glass combines polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top and bottom housing. Both switches have unique sound profiles, with the Oreo offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to the stiffness of polycarbonate. In contrast, the Sea Glass provides a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile.
In terms of aesthetics, the Oreo's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it an ideal choice for users who plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's housing material blend remains unique in its composition, giving it a distinct appearance. While both switches provide different visual experiences, they do not overlap in terms of housing materials.
When it comes to the impact on sound and feel, the housing materials play a crucial role. The bottom housing, which is made of polycarbonate in the Oreo and a blend in the Sea Glass, affects the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. In comparison, the top housing, also made of polycarbonate in the Oreo and a different blend in the Sea Glass, contributes more to the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users will experience varying sensations depending on which switch they choose to use.
In summary, while the Everglide Oreo and the Durock Sea Glass share similarities in terms of both switches offering unique sound profiles, they have distinct differences in their housing materials. The Oreo features polycarbonate for its top and bottom housing, providing a sharper and crisper sound, alongside its translucent aesthetic suitable for RGB lighting. Meanwhile, the Sea Glass combines polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top and bottom housing, offering a pleasant and slightly brighter sound experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches lies in the preference for specific sound profiles and aesthetic designs.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are both similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, both switches require 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This means that users will get similar results in terms of the initial push needed to register a keypress on both switches. However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a distinction. The Oreo has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which can be considered medium-light, while the Sea Glass has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, still within the medium range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Oreo tactile switch would be a suitable choice. Its lower bottom out force allows for a smoother and easier typing experience, making it preferable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the Sea Glass linear switch offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing feel for those who crave a stronger push. This can enhance the tactile feedback and give a satisfying keystroke response.
Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on personal preference. Those seeking a lighter typing experience will find the Everglide Oreo tactile switch appealing, while those desiring a more forceful and robust keystroke may opt for the Durock Sea Glass linear switch. Nonetheless, both switches offer reliable actuation forces, ensuring accurate and responsive keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have different travel distances. The Oreo has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Oreo falls into the category of the more traditional travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Sea Glass is slightly shallower at 3.8 mm. However, it is worth noting that recently, shorter travel distances have become more popular, particularly among gamers who prefer faster response times. For those seeking a highly responsive typing experience, the Oreo with its shorter distance may be the preferable option. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying tactile experience. In this case, the Sea Glass with its 3.8 mm travel distance would be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for travel distance and the desired typing 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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch has been described as having a subtle, mellow sound profile. While specific descriptors such as "chirpy" have been mentioned, as with any switch, the sound can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used. On the other hand, there is no specific information available regarding the sound characteristics of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch is greatly influenced by the overall setup, so it's possible to achieve similar sound results by selecting compatible components for the Sea Glass switch.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is described as having an accented feel, offering a medium tactile experience that is satisfying without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, it has a stepped feel, meaning it provides a two-stage tactile experience with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as being frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It is also characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Furthermore, the Sea Glass switch is feathery, meaning it has an exceptionally light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It is also easy-to-press, requiring minimal force for activation, making typing effortless and comfortable.
Considering all available information, it is evident that the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Oreo provides a crisp and responsive tactile bump, with a cushioned sensation upon bottoming out. It has a medium light tactility that strikes a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing. Its sound profile is described as subtle and mellow. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches emit a uniquely hollow sound, and their typing experience is characterized by dryness, wispiness, and airiness. They possess a weightlessness despite their 62g bottom-out force, offering a frictionless nature. Overall, the Oreo and Sea Glass switches provide different tactile and auditory experiences, but with careful selection of compatible components, it is possible to achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a satisfying tactile bump, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is a great choice. It offers a perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. The Oreo switch has a subtle, mellow sound profile that adds to its overall appeal. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force and a unique typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is worth considering. These switches have a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and provide a frictionless typing experience. They also have a uniquely hollow sound signature. Ultimately, your decision between the Everglide Oreo and Durock Sea Glass switches will depend on your preference for tactile feedback and typing experience.