Outemu Cold Plum vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) present two intriguing options that cater to distinct preferences. The Outemu Cold Plum is celebrated for its linear design, featuring an impressive thocky sound profile and a fully nylon construction that enriches the overall typing experience. This switch is perfect for enthusiasts looking for a satisfying keystroke that combines smoothness with an appealing auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) utilizes a Hall effect mechanism to deliver a balanced typing experience, boasting a neutral sound signature complemented by a subtly pronounced "thock." Its dustproof stem enhances performance by minimizing wobble, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize a refined tactile sensation without sacrificing smoothness. While both switches offer unique benefits—one excelling in auditory feedback and the other in precision and feel—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
60g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), the primary distinction lies in their top housing materials. The Cold Plum utilizes nylon for its top housing, which is known for delivering a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's softer plastic properties, allowing it to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) employs polycarbonate for its top housing, offering a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The inherent stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound, accentuating the auditory feedback of each keystroke. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate also enhances the RGB lighting experience, making it a sought-after material for those who prioritize visual effects in their keyboard builds.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, which is made from nylon. This uniformity means that both the Cold Plum and the Sticky Rice (V2) will offer a similarly rich and rounded sound when bottoming out due to the properties of nylon. The consistency in bottom housing contributes to the deeper sound profile that characterizes both switches, ensuring that when pressed, the feeling and sound during the bottom-out phase are notably akin. As a result, while the experiences when releasing keys may vary between the two switches due to their disparate top housings, the bottom housing ensures a common auditory experience when keys are pressed down.
In essence, the contrasting sound profiles resulting from the nylon and polycarbonate top housings shape the overall typing experience of each switch. While the Outemu Cold Plum provides a deeper, more muted auditory feedback with its nylon top, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) boasts a crisper and more vibrant sound due to its polycarbonate construction. However, with both featuring the same nylon material for their bottom housing, they ultimately share a common ground in delivering a satisfying bottom-out feel and sound, which may appeal to users across both designs. This interplay of materials allows for distinct auditory characteristics during different phases of keypresses while maintaining a familiar and satisfying tactile feedback at their core.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, notable differences emerge. The Cold Plum requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) boasts a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, categorizing it as a light switch. This variance in force is significant for users: those who prefer a lighter switch may find the Sticky Rice (V2) more comfortable for extended typing sessions, while others who appreciate a more substantial feel might gravitate toward the Cold Plum. Overall, the Cold Plum is the heavier option, providing a firmer typing experience, whereas the Sticky Rice (V2) offers a softer touch that could benefit prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, the Cold Plum comes in with a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sticky Rice (V2) measures slightly longer at 3.5 mm. This means that for those who favor a quicker and more responsive typing experience, the Cold Plum would be the better option due to its shorter travel distance. Conversely, the Sticky Rice (V2) offers a more substantial feel with its longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced bottom-out sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference: if you seek rapid response times, the Cold Plum is the way to go, while the Sticky Rice (V2) caters to those who appreciate a deeper keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sticky Rice (V2) 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch is characterized by a thocky sound profile, offering a satisfying auditory feedback that many enthusiasts treasure. This thockiness derives from its nylon construction, which enhances the overall acoustic quality during typing. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) features a more neutral sound signature that retains a hint of the desirable "thock" sound, making it appealing to users who appreciate a balanced auditory experience without overpowering noise. It’s worth noting that the sound produced by both switches can be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard case and keycaps, meaning users may find some similarities or differences in sound based on their specific setups.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Cold Plum offers a smooth keystroke that contributes to an enjoyable typing experience, enhancing user satisfaction with its tactile response. This smoothness pairs well with its distinct sound, creating a cohesive typing feel that many seek. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) also boasts a super smooth keystroke, which is further supplemented by its dustproof stem that minimizes wobble and optimizes performance. This feature not only adds to the smoothness but also enhances stability during typing, making it an excellent choice for users who value refined tactile feedback and consistency.
In summary, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches offer unique and enjoyable typing experiences, albeit with different sound characteristics and nuances in feel. The Cold Plum’s thocky sound and smooth keystroke make it a go-to for those who appreciate auditory feedback, while the Sticky Rice (V2) strikes a balance with its neutral sound and stable, refined keystroke. Whether you prefer one over the other may ultimately come down to personal preference in sound and feel, but users of either switch can expect a high-quality typing experience with satisfying performance.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy actuation force, a distinct thocky sound, and a uniquely enjoyable typing feel, the Cold Plum may be your ideal switch. Its fully nylon construction not only contributes to its durability but also enhances the satisfying auditory feedback, making it perfect for typing enthusiasts or gamers who appreciate a more pronounced response with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch at 50 grams and seek a refined, smooth experience without any excess noise, the Sticky Rice (V2) would likely be the better option. Its neutral sound signature and super smooth keystroke reduce wobble, offering a balanced experience that’s especially appealing for long typing sessions or individuals who favor a subtle auditory feedback. In summary, weigh your priorities between sound profile, tactile feel, and actuation force to find which switch aligns best with your typing preferences and lifestyle.
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