Outemu Purple vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Outemu Purple and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Purple and Everglide Rice Pudding each offer unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences and styles. The Outemu Purple, a tactile switch, is favored for its noticeable bump, which provides satisfying feedback during typing, making it an appealing option for typists who enjoy a tactile response. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are known for their hall effect technology, delivering a smooth operation alongside a deep auditory profile that enhances the overall typing experience. This makes them a solid choice for those seeking a balanced and enjoyable typing experience, particularly for gamers and enthusiasts who appreciate versatility and performance, as they are fully compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
The Outemu Purple and the Everglide Rice Pudding both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, leading to remarkably similar sound characteristics for both switches. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffer nature, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This resonant quality is heightened by its translucency, which not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the switches but also makes them particularly compatible with RGB lighting setups. By utilizing the same material for the top housing, both switch models allow users to experience a similar visual and auditory performance, ensuring that the sound profiles remain bright and clear when keys are activated or released.
In contrast, the bottom housing presents a distinct difference between the two models, with both opting for nylon as their material, known for its unique acoustic properties. The use of nylon, a softer plastic, enables both the Outemu Purple and Rice Pudding switches to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic of the nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and rounder auditory response, particularly impacting the bottom-out sound when a key is fully pressed. Consequently, while the top housing materials are the same and contribute to bright sound output, the nylon bottom contributes to a contrasting auditory experience, resulting in a rich and rounded response for both switches.
Ultimately, the combination of polycarbonate in the top housing alongside nylon in the bottom housing creates a well-balanced auditory experience for users of both the Outemu Purple and Everglide Rice Pudding switches. While the top housing material ensures a crisp and clear sound when a key is released, the nylon bottom influences the sensation during key presses by absorbing sound and providing a fuller depth. This synergy results in a unique typing experience, with users enjoying a blend of sharpness and warmth as they interact with either switch. As a result, enthusiasts can expect similar high-performance results with distinctive sound profiles due to the dual-material design, showcasing the importance of material selection in mechanical switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, distinct differences emerge in their performance characteristics. The Outemu Purple features an actuation force of 50 grams, which offers a firmer typing experience, making it more suitable for users who prefer the tactile feedback associated with heavier switches. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, contributing to a more effortless typing experience ideal for long sessions at work or during extended gaming. Although the bottom out force for the Outemu Purple is unavailable, the Rice Pudding switch has a clearly defined bottom out force of 48 grams, reaffirming its lightweight feel. As a result, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is the lighter option overall, while the Outemu Purple is the heavier choice, appealing to those who favor a more substantial keystroke.
Travel distance
The Outemu Purple tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This distinction means that if you opt for the Outemu Purple, you'll experience a deeper and more gradual keystroke, which can be particularly beneficial for those who appreciate a robust tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding, with its 3.5 mm travel distance, is designed to provide a quicker response time, appealing especially to gamers who prefer a more rapid actuation. Those who favor responsiveness might lean towards the shorter travel of the Rice Pudding switch, whereas users who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke may find the Outemu Purple more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference for either a deeper feel or quicker actuation.
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 Purple 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 Purple tactile switch lacks a specific sound profile, making it difficult to characterize its acoustic signature definitively; however, many users have reported that it tends to produce a sound that's relatively muted compared to other tactile switches. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch is renowned for its deeper audio experience, delivering a pronounced yet balanced sound that can significantly enhance the typing experience. This resonant sound quality not only contributes to a satisfying auditory experience but also makes the Rice Pudding switch a compelling choice for those who appreciate the auditory feedback of their keystrokes. It’s important to note that both switches' sound profiles can be affected by the keyboard you use and the materials of your keycaps.
When considering the feel of the Outemu Purple switch, it is known for its tactile bump, which provides a noticeable feedback sensation during typing, aiming to enhance accuracy and prevent bottoming out, although it may be considered less refined compared to premium alternatives. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its smooth operation, combining tactile feedback with a consistency that many find appealing. This dual approach offers users a sense of precision while typing, making it suitable for both gaming and typing scenarios where responsiveness and comfort are paramount. The Rice Pudding's unique design ensures a fluid keystroke, adding to the overall user experience.
In summary, while the Outemu Purple switch offers an adequate tactile feel without a specific sound profile highlighted, the Everglide Rice Pudding excels in both auditory and tactile feedback, creating a more satisfying and precise typing experience. Choosing between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, but for those who prioritize sound and smooth operation, the Rice Pudding clearly stands out as the superior option.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you're looking for a switch that offers a distinctive tactile feedback without a significant actuation force, allowing for a lightweight typing experience, the Outemu Purple might be your pick—ideal for casual typing sessions or when you want to keep your fingers moving effortlessly. However, if you prefer a switch that provides a more satisfying acoustic profile and a balance of precision and smoothness, while also accommodating a lighter bottom-out force at 48 grams for those who enjoy a crisper response, then the Everglide Rice Pudding is likely the better choice. Furthermore, if you are someone who values compatibility with innovative keyboards such as those from Wooting and you appreciate versatility in your setup, the Rice Pudding truly stands out as an excellent option. By weighing these factors, you can select the switch that perfectly aligns with your typing style and enhances your overall keyboard experience.