Outemu Tom vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Outemu Tom, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Rice Pudding, a hall effect switch. The Tom switch is well-regarded for its tactile feedback, making it a preferred choice for users who enjoy the responsiveness that helps improve typing accuracy, particularly for those who value a more distinct feel beneath their fingers. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are celebrated for their smooth operation and rich, deep sound, offering a balanced typing experience that appeals to both gamers and typists looking for precision and satisfaction in their keystrokes. Additionally, the Rice Pudding switches are fully compatible with Wooting’s innovative keyboards, adding to their allure for tech enthusiasts seeking versatility and high performance. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch to suit your unique typing preferences.

By the numbers

Outemu Tom Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$3.10 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Tom and Everglide Rice Pudding switches share a commonality in their choice of materials, specifically their use of polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. Both switches leverage polycarbonate's unique properties to create a sound profile characterized by sharpness and clarity. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a higher-pitched sound, enhancing the acoustic experience when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for effective RGB lighting, ensuring that both switches deliver visually appealing and vibrant illumination while maintaining a similar auditory quality.

In contrast to their similar top housings, the bottom housings of the Outemu Tom and Everglide Rice Pudding differ in their sound characteristics. Both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, which inherently provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer composition that absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials, resulting in a more muted, rounder auditory experience. While the Tom's bottom housing maintains the qualities typical of nylon, the Rice Pudding shares this same advantage, reinforcing the idea that both switches can produce a rich and satisfying typing sound.

Ultimately, the alignment of materials used by both the Outemu Tom and Everglide Rice Pudding leads to a synergistic effect in their sound profiles. The tonal qualities of each switch are influenced by the combination of their housings; the polycarbonate top allows for crisp highs while the nylon bottom adds depth. As a result, users can expect similar performance characteristics when typing, despite subtle differences in tactile feel. This shared material choice ensures that, regardless of which switch is selected, typists will enjoy a harmonious auditory experience that balances clarity with fullness.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Tom tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom-out forces become apparent. The Outemu Tom features an actuation force of 55 grams, making it a heavier option, which can provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, offering a gentler typing experience that caters to users who favor less effort during long typing sessions. While the Tom's bottom-out force is unavailable, the Rice Pudding switch does have a bottom-out force of 48 grams, which is also relatively light. Therefore, if you're looking for a lighter switch for extended use, the Rice Pudding is the clear choice, whereas the Tom is suited for those who appreciate a firmer keystroke.

Travel distance

The Outemu Tom tactile 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 means that when pressing the Tom switch, you will experience a shorter travel distance compared to the Rice Pudding, which offers a bit more depth with its 3.5 mm. For gamers seeking quicker response times, the Tom switch could provide a more rapid actuation due to its shorter travel. However, those who prefer a fuller keystroke experience might lean towards the Rice Pudding for its additional depth. Thus, players looking for speed might opt for the Outemu Tom for quicker feedback, whereas users who appreciate a more robust feel may find the Everglide Rice Pudding more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Tom tactile switch lacks a specific sound profile, making it difficult to characterize its auditory qualities beyond that. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its deep sound, which contributes to a satisfying acoustic experience while typing. This rich auditory feedback, combined with the smooth operation of the switch, creates a balanced atmosphere that many enthusiasts find appealing. It's important to note that the sound produced by any switch can be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.

When evaluating the feel of the two switches, the Tom's tactile feedback is not detailed, making it hard to compare its characteristics directly. However, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is well-regarded for its smooth operation, which enhances the overall typing experience and adds a sense of precision to each keystroke. This makes the Rice Pudding more appealing for those who prioritize a tactile yet smooth engagement when typing.

In conclusion, while the Outemu Tom tactile switch lacks specific accolades in both sound and feel, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch stands out with its satisfying auditory experience and smooth tactile feedback. Although the Tom may not be as clearly defined, enthusiasts can expect similar results in typing experience when paired with the right keyboard and keycap choice. If you're exploring options, the Everglide Rice Pudding provides a strong performance with added compatibility for innovative keyboards, positioning it as a solid choice for newcomers seeking versatility and satisfaction in their typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between Outemu Tom tactile switches and Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches ultimately hinges on your specific needs and preferences as a newcomer to mechanical keyboards. If you prioritize an ultra-light feel and a tactile experience that enhances your typing without significant resistance, the Tom switch could be your ideal choice, offering an unencumbered sensation that may lend itself well to casual gaming or typing where speed is paramount. However, if you seek a satisfying, precise typing experience accompanied by a rich auditory feedback and versatile compatibility with various keyboard setups, the Rice Pudding switch is likely more suited to your preferences. Its 48-gram bottom-out force provides a comfortable yet pronounced resistance that can boost your typing confidence while still being manageable for long typing sessions. Ultimately, consider what you value more—be it the lightness and unparalleled tactile feedback of the Tom or the smooth operation and deep sound of the Rice Pudding—before making your decision. Both switches offer unique benefits that cater to different styles, ensuring that you can find the perfect fit for your typing journey.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Tom Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more