Outemu Cold Plum vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the benefits of different types, such as the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Rice Pudding. The Outemu Cold Plum is celebrated for its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, providing a unique and engaging typing experience characterized by smooth keystrokes and a satisfying acoustic feedback. This linear switch caters to those who appreciate a distinct feel while typing, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch employs a hall effect design, delivering a balanced experience marked by smooth operation and a deep, resonant sound. These features not only offer precision but also make the Rice Pudding compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards, appealing to users who prioritize versatility and performance. While both switches bring their own unique attributes to the table—be it the Cold Plum's satisfying thock or the Rice Pudding's compatibility—it's important to delve deeper into their specifics to help you choose the perfect switch for your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, one of the most notable differences lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Cold Plum features a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon’s relatively softer nature. This absorption of sound results in a pronounced, duller sound that many typists find satisfying. Conversely, the Rice Pudding uses a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a crisper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate aids in generating distinct and resonant sounds, making it ideal for those who prefer a sharper auditory experience while typing.
Interestingly, both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings, causing a fascinating symmetry in their overall compositions. Since the bottom housing significantly influences the bottom-out sound and the feel of the keypress, both switches will manifest a similar auditory experience during key actuation. When typing on either switch, users can expect a deep and rich sound, thanks to the nylon's sound-absorbing properties. This shared material for the bottom housing establishes a thermal and tactile consistency that pairs well with their respective tops, enhancing the user's experience regardless of the differences in sound profiles achieved at the key release.
Ultimately, the differences in top housing materials between the Outemu Cold Plum and Everglide Rice Pudding switches present a variety of auditory sensations while maintaining a tactile coherence due to the identical nylon bottom. Users who appreciate a deep, muffled sound will likely enjoy the Cold Plum for its softer nylon upper, while those seeking brightness and clarity will gravitate towards the polycarbonate Rice Pudding. However, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches generate a robust feel and sound upon bottoming out, allowing for a pleasing overlap in their sound profiles despite the variations in their top materials. This interplay of materials demonstrates how housing composition can affect both sound perception and user experience in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch with its actuation force of 60 grams and bottom out force of 70 grams to the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, which features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, stark differences arise. The Cold Plum switch, categorized as medium-heavy, requires significantly more force to actuate and bottom out than the Rice Pudding, which is deemed light. This distinction makes the Cold Plum more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience, while the Rice Pudding caters to those who appreciate a lighter touch, ideal for prolonged use and gaming. Consequently, if you're searching for a keyboard that enables longer typing sessions without fatigue, the lighter Everglide Rice Pudding would be the superior choice. Conversely, if you enjoy a firmer keystroke, the heavier Outemu Cold Plum would be preferable.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference in travel distance may influence user preference, particularly among gamers who often favor shorter distances for quicker response times. In this comparison, the Cold Plum stands out as the shorter option, making it more suitable for those who seek immediate actuation. Conversely, the Rice Pudding, with its longer travel distance, might appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial feel during key presses. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize responsiveness or a deeper typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
The Outemu Cold Plum 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
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch produces a distinctive thocky sound profile that is highly regarded among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. This sound, coupled with the switch’s fully nylon construction, contributes to a unique auditory experience that feels rich and satisfying. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch offers a deep sound that strikes a balance between clarity and richness, making it equally enjoyable but with a slightly different auditory character. Both switches ensure that the overall auditory experience can vary significantly depending on the keyboard's material and the keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Cold Plum switch is celebrated for its smooth keystroke, providing a fluid and uninterrupted typing experience that many users find enjoyable. The Rice Pudding switch also offers a smooth operation, delivering precision in every keystroke. While both switches excel in smoothness, the Cold Plum may lean towards a more substantial tactile feedback due to its construction, whereas the Rice Pudding provides a more balanced experience, making it hard to pinpoint which one offers a superior feel.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide excellent sound and feel but do so in uniquely different ways. The Cold Plum’s thocky sound and nylon construction cater to those seeking a distinct auditory experience, while the Rice Pudding's deep sound and compatibility with Wooting keyboards offer versatility and performance. Ultimately, enthusiasts can expect pleasing results from either switch, and choosing between the two will largely come down to personal preference in sound character and tactile sensation.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switches and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches ultimately depends on your specific preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy switch with a thocky sound profile and a satisfying tactile feedback, the Cold Plum may be the right option for you. Its 70-gram bottom-out force is ideal for those who prefer a more substantial keystroke, delivering a unique typing experience that can make long hours of typing more enjoyable. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter feel with a bottom-out force of 48 grams, the Rice Pudding switch will likely be more suitable. Its smooth operation and deep sound can provide a satisfying balance, especially for fast-paced typing or gaming. Additionally, the Rice Pudding's compatibility with Wooting keyboards adds an extra layer of versatility for those looking to maximize performance. Ultimately, consider your typing dynamics and sound preferences: go for the Cold Plum if you love a pronounced sound and heft, whereas opt for the Rice Pudding if you prioritize a lighter touch and smoothness.