Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the distinctive characteristics of various options. The Outemu Spring Breeze, a clicky switch, is celebrated for its sharp auditory feedback that provides an engaging typing experience, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy the satisfying sound and tactile feedback that clicky switches offer. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), a hall effect switch, is known for its exceptionally smooth keystroke and neutral sound signature, delivering a refined tactile sensation that captures the desired "thock" sound many typing aficionados seek. While the Spring Breeze appeals to users who thrive on the auditory excitement of clicky feedback, the Sticky Rice (V2) caters to those who prefer a quieter, more understated experience without sacrificing performance or feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
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 housing materials of the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), a clear contrast emerges from their respective top housing compositions. The Spring Breeze utilizes nylon for its top housing, which is known for its softer and more absorbent properties. This results in a deeper, fuller sound profile that tends to feel warmer during typing. In contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) features a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate allows for a clearer and more resonant auditory experience, making it ideal for users who appreciate a more pronounced keystroke sound. Thus, while both switches can deliver satisfying typing experiences, the tonal qualities they produce greatly differ due to the materials used in their top housings.
The bottom housing of both switches, however, brings a different dynamic to their sound profiles. The Outemu Spring Breeze and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which is characteristic of a deeper sound and a softer touch. This commonality emphasizes that both switches will have a similar underlying auditory experience when bottoming out. Because the nylon absorbs sound, it contributes to a rounder and more muted profile that can enhance the tactile responsiveness of each keystroke, regardless of the contrasting top housings. This duality means that while the top sound may vary, the base notes experienced during typing will align more closely, owing to their identical bottom materials.
In essence, the overall performance of these switches is influenced by the combination of their housing materials. The differing top housings cause the Outemu Spring Breeze to generate a warmer, more enveloping sound, while the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) offers brightness and clarity. Nevertheless, since both switches share nylon in their bottom housings, they maintain a solid foundation of rich sound and tactile feel, ensuring users experience a satisfying typing experience within a familiar auditory range. Therefore, the choice between the two would ultimately be guided by personal preference regarding tonal quality rather than a drastic difference in feel.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch to the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, both feature the same actuation force of 40 grams, making them equally responsive for triggering keystrokes. However, they diverge in their bottom out forces, with the Spring Breeze requiring a heavier 55 grams compared to the Sticky Rice (V2), which bottoms out at a lighter 50 grams. This difference indicates that while both switches provide a similar typing experience when it comes to the initial keystroke, the Spring Breeze may feel more substantial when pressed down fully. For users who prefer a lighter typing experience—a characteristic that can enhance prolonged use, especially for work or long gaming sessions—the Sticky Rice (V2) would be the more suitable choice. In contrast, those who appreciate a heavier push for a more pronounced tactile feedback might gravitate towards the Spring Breeze, making it more appealing for those who favor a more substantial and robust typing sensation.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference in travel distance reflects contrasting preferences among typists and gamers; the longer travel distance of the Spring Breeze provides a more traditional feel, offering greater depth and feedback, which some users may find more satisfying or substantial. Conversely, the shorter 3.5 mm travel distance of the Sticky Rice (V2) may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times for quicker actions, despite the potential for a more abrupt tactile experience. Ultimately, if you favor responsiveness, the Sticky Rice (V2) is the better choice, whereas those who appreciate a more satisfying keystroke might prefer the Outemu Spring Breeze for its greater depth.
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 Spring Breeze 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 Spring Breeze clicky switch lacks a defined sound profile in the provided information, making it difficult to gauge its acoustic characteristics accurately. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) offers a more enticing auditory experience with its balanced sound signature, delivering the satisfying "thock" that typists often desire. The sound produced by the Sticky Rice switches is crafted to appeal to enthusiasts who appreciate a more refined auditory feedback, which can significantly enhance the typing experience. However, it's important to remember that the overall sound can vary based on the keyboard’s construction and the keycap profile used.
When it comes to feel, the Spring Breeze's tactile experience is not specified, leaving its characteristics uncertain. On the other hand, the Sticky Rice (V2) excels with its extremely smooth keystroke, attributed to its dustproof stem design. This feature minimizes wobble and enhances the overall typing performance, presenting a tactile sensation that balances refined feedback and comfortable typing. Users gravitating towards tactile and smooth keystrokes will find the Sticky Rice switches particularly appealing, while the Spring Breeze's feel remains a mystery.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) have their unique qualities worth noting. The Sticky Rice (V2) clearly shines with its rich sound and smooth tactile feedback, making it an attractive option for keyboard enthusiasts who value both acoustics and tactile sensation. Unfortunately, without detailed descriptions for the Spring Breeze, it’s challenging to make a direct comparison in those areas. If you prefer a known experience with balanced sound and a refined feel, the Sticky Rice (V2) would likely be the safer choice, but your experience with the Spring Breeze could yield similar results based on individual preference.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal typing preferences and desired experience. If you prefer a slightly firmer feel with a bottom-out force of 55 grams, the Spring Breeze may be your go-to switch. Its tactile feedback can provide that satisfying click you might enjoy if you appreciate auditory cues during typing. On the other hand, if you seek a smoother, quieter experience with a lighter 50-gram bottom-out force, the Sticky Rice (V2) is an excellent choice. It excels in providing a refined and balanced typing experience, thanks to its dustproof design that enhances smoothness and performance. You may favor the Sticky Rice (V2) if you’re looking for that understated "thock" sound without the distraction of pronounced clicks. Ultimately, consider what matters most to you: the tactile feedback and sound of the Spring Breeze or the smooth and refined experience offered by the Sticky Rice (V2).
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