Gateron Quinn vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Gateron Quinn and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Quinn and the Everglide Rice Pudding both stand out for their unique attributes, catering to different preferences in typing experience. The Gateron Quinn, renowned for its crisp, light tactility, offers a deep and resonant sound profile, creating an immersive auditory experience with each keystroke. The nylon housing of the Quinn switches adds a polished character to their performance, making them feel snappy and bouncy while providing a satisfying tactile bump. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches prioritize smoothness and precision, delivering a balanced typing experience that is both subtle and satisfying. These switches are particularly appealing due to their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards, making them a versatile choice for enthusiasts who crave both performance and adaptability. In summary, while the Quinn excels in tactile feedback and auditory richness, the Rice Pudding shines in silky operation and versatility. 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
59g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Quinn and the Everglide Rice Pudding, distinct differences in sound profiles emerge primarily from the choice of materials used in their top housings. The Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing, which contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. This results in an audio experience characterized by its rounded and muted sound, effectively absorbing sound waves and minimizing harshness. In contrast, the Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing that provides a sharper and crisper audio experience. The rigidity of polycarbonate translates into a resonant sound profile, which produces clearer tones, particularly advantageous for users seeking a more pronounced auditory feedback when typing.
Interestingly, both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings, creating a unique synergy in their overall auditory experience. This shared material in the bottom housing of both the Quinn and the Rice Pudding elicits a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out. The nylon's ability to absorb sound allows both switches to still provide a consistent experience that others with solely harder plastics might lack. Consequently, while the Quinn benefits from the absorbing qualities of nylon in both housing components, the Rice Pudding balances its sharper top sound with the depth from its nylon bottom housing, creating a more nuanced sound profile for users.
Ultimately, this distinctive combination of housing materials results in a split sound and feel experience during typing. With the Quinn's nylon top delivering a subdued auditory presence and the Rice Pudding's polycarbonate top offering clarity, the two switches cater to different user preferences despite sharing a common nylon bottom. The impact of the bottom housing tends to shape the overall feel of the switch, while the top housing heavily influences the sound emitted upon key release. Taken together, these material choices allow for a complex interplay that defines how each switch feels and sounds, granting typists the ability to choose between a softer, more subdued feedback or a bright and resonant experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Quinn switch has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, giving it a more substantial typing experience, which may appeal to users who prefer a firmer feedback when typing. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch is significantly lighter, with an actuation force of only 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it ideal for those who favor a lighter touch for prolonged use, such as during extended work or gaming sessions. Therefore, while the Quinn offers a medium-heavy feel, the Rice Pudding is distinctly lighter, catering to different user preferences in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Quinn has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Rice Pudding has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch with a more responsive feel, the Quinn, being the shorter option, may suit gamers or those who prefer quicker key activation. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding, with its additional 0.1 mm of travel, could be preferable for those who appreciate a bit more depth in their key presses, as the feeling might be less abrupt. Ultimately, while both switches provide a tactile experience, the Quinn caters to those seeking speed, whereas the Rice Pudding offers a gentler touch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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.
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 Gateron Quinn tactile switch stands out with its deep and resonant profile, providing a rich auditory experience that combines both bassy and clacky elements. The combination of a low-pitched tone with a sharp, crisp clarity creates a unique sound that enhances the typing experience. This is in part due to its nylon housing, which contributes to the overall depth and richness of the sound. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches do not have specific sound descriptors listed, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison. However, the Rice Pudding is known for delivering a deep sound, suggesting it may also provide a satisfying auditory feedback, albeit without the detailed characterization that the Quinn has.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Quinn switch offers a snappy and polished typing experience. Its design allows for a lively, responsive feedback with well-defined tactile bumps and reduced friction that provides a smooth key travel. The bouncy sensation adds to the enjoyment, delivering a satisfying rebound that enhances the overall typing dynamic. The Rice Pudding switches, while not detailed in this area, are known for their smooth operation and balanced typing experience, which likely offers a different yet equally compelling sensation. The lack of specific feel descriptors for the Rice Pudding means that while it promises a satisfying experience, users may find the Quinn’s distinct tactile feedback more pronounced.
In conclusion, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Quinn impresses with its rich, resonant sound and a tactile feedback that’s responsive and lively, making it a great choice for those who enjoy an immersive and engaging typing experience. The Rice Pudding, on the other hand, promises smooth operation and deep sound but lacks the specificity of descriptors regarding its tactile sensation. Ultimately, both switches can provide satisfying results; personal preference will play a significant role in which is the better fit for an individual typist.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall keyboard expertise. If you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a noticeable tactile bump, crisp responsiveness, and a rich, resonant sound that enhances your typing experience, the Quinn is the way to go. It’s especially well-suited for users who appreciate a more immersive auditory sensation and a lively tactile feedback during finger movements, making it an excellent choice for typing enthusiasts or anyone who spends long hours at the keyboard. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter, smoother touch with an emphasis on versatility, especially if you’re interested in gaming or innovative keyboards, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch would be your best bet. With its balanced and refined typing experience, this switch is perfect for those who appreciate a fluid keystroke while enjoying the compatibility with cutting-edge tech like Wooting keyboards. Thus, your choice should reflect your specific typing style and the auditory pleasure you seek in a mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
