Outemu Maple Leaf vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Everglide Rice Pudding stand out for different reasons, catering to diverse preferences in the typing experience. The Outemu Maple Leaf is a tactile switch that offers a unique feel with a noticeable bump at actuation, ideal for typists who appreciate feedback while they type. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch employs a hall effect mechanism to deliver an exceptionally smooth operation paired with a deep sound, appealing to those who favor a more fluid keystroke combined with auditory satisfaction. While the Maple Leaf is designed for users who enjoy tactile engagement, the Rice Pudding is favored by enthusiasts looking for versatility, especially given its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing needs.

By the numbers

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$3.10 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Maple Leaf and Everglide Rice Pudding switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, leading to distinct sound profiles. The Maple Leaf features a nylon top housing, known for its softer texture that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, recognized for its rigidity and translucence, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. The clearer nature of polycarbonate not only enhances the sound profile but also optimizes RGB lighting, allowing it to shine through with greater intensity. Therefore, while both switches may excel in sound quality and aesthetics, their materials fundamentally shape the auditory experience they deliver.

As for the bottom housing, both the Maple Leaf and Rice Pudding use nylon, a classic material renowned for its ability to create a more muted sound. This shared bottom housing material means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a similar deep and round sound profile during bottom-out. Despite the difference in their top housings, which affects the release sound, the similarity in the bottom housing ensures a unified tonal experience when keys are pressed down. This consistency in material can be especially important for typists who prioritize sound and feel while gaming or working.

Overall, the combination of nylon in the bottom housing for both switches creates a cohesive depth in sound, while the differing top housings introduce unique auditory characteristics. Users who favor a more subdued sound will appreciate the Maple Leaf’s nylon top, while those seeking clarity and resonance will prefer the Rice Pudding’s polycarbonate cap. Ultimately, both switches deliver a rich tactile experience, but the interplay of their materials defines the subtle nuances in their sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a significant disparity in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Maple Leaf switch features a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a more substantial feel while typing or gaming. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch has a notably lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, appealing to those who favor a more effortless typing experience for long sessions. Thus, the Maple Leaf is the heavier option, providing a stronger tactile response, while the Rice Pudding is lighter, promoting comfort during extended use. Those who prioritize a softer keystroke might gravitate towards the Rice Pudding, while users who enjoy a firmer feedback may find the Maple Leaf more appealing.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it becomes clear that the Maple Leaf offers a slightly shorter travel distance at 3.3 mm, while the Rice Pudding has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Rice Pudding the better choice for those who appreciate a more pronounced keystroke feel, as its longer travel distance provides a deeper and more satisfying feedback. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Maple Leaf caters to gamers or users who prioritize quick response times, making it a preferable option for those looking for speed and efficiency in their typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will hinge on whether you favor a more responsive, abrupt feel or a deeper, more traditional keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch does not have a definitive sound profile noted, making it difficult to assess its auditory characteristics compared to the Everglide Rice Pudding switch. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch is well-regarded for its deep sound, creating a satisfying acoustic experience that many typists find appealing. This rich sound quality enhances the overall typing experience, providing auditory feedback that contributes to a more immersive feel when typing. It’s important to remember that the final sound will be influenced by various factors, such as the keyboard construction and keycap choice, which can further shape the auditory results for both switches.

When it comes to tactile feel, the Maple Leaf switch does not have specific descriptors available, leaving its sensation largely open to interpretation. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is noted for its smooth operation, delivering a typing experience that balances satisfying tactile feedback with precision. This combination of smoothness and tactility allows for a comfortable typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended use, which is often a significant consideration for typists.

In summary, while the Outemu Maple Leaf's sound and feel qualities remain unspecified, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch offers a notable advantage with its deep sound and smooth tactile feedback. If you value auditory satisfaction and a well-balanced tactile experience, the Rice Pudding stands out as an excellent choice, particularly for enthusiasts who appreciate performance and versatility in their mechanical keyboards. The Maple Leaf may still perform satisfactorily, but without clearer traits, it’s difficult to gauge how it would measure up in direct comparison.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended usage. If you're someone who enjoys a medium-heavy key feel with a tactile bump that provides clear feedback during typing, the Maple Leaf may be the right choice for you. Its 65-gram bottom-out force can lend itself well to both typing and gaming, offering a more deliberate actuation that some users find satisfying. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a focus on smooth operation and acoustics, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch might be ideal. With its 48-gram bottom-out force, it delivers a feather-light typing experience that's perfect for extended use without fatigue, while also producing a deeper, more pleasant sound profile. Additionally, if you're considering versatility and compatibility with specialized keyboards, the Rice Pudding switches shine here as well. Thus, your decision should hinge upon whether you favor a heavier tactile experience or a lighter, smooth operation that enhances your overall typing comfort and enjoyment.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more