Everglide Rice Pudding vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Rice Pudding and KTT Sea Salt Lemon offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Rice Pudding, known for its smooth operation and deep sound, strikes a perfect balance between satisfying tactile feedback and precision, making it an appealing option for those who appreciate nuanced acoustics in their typing experience. Its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards adds an extra layer of versatility, drawing the attention of performance-focused enthusiasts. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon exemplifies the linear switch category with its progressive spring and dry-lube design, delivering a buttery smooth feel that is ideal for gamers and typists seeking seamless keystrokes without tactile bumps. While the Rice Pudding offers a rich auditory experience along with tactical responsiveness, the Sea Salt Lemon embraces simplicity and smoothness, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
Both the Everglide Rice Pudding and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The polycarbonate material is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffer structure that facilitates a clearer resonance during keystrokes. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of each switch, especially under RGB lighting conditions. As a result, users can expect a similar auditory experience between the two switches when it comes to the upper sound characteristics, making them ideal choices for those seeking vibrant and clear sound profiles enhanced by RGB illumination.
In contrast, the bottom housing of both switches is made from nylon, a material that delivers a much different acoustic experience compared to polycarbonate. Nylon is recognized for its softer properties, which tend to absorb sound rather than amplify it. This leads to a fuller, deeper sound profile when typing, providing a rounder feel to each keystroke. While the top housing contributes a sharp and crisp quality when releasing the keys, the nylon bottom housing complements this by adding weight and a satisfying thud to the bottom-out sound. Consequently, while both the Rice Pudding and Sea Salt Lemon switches may share similar sound characteristics in the upper register, their bottom registers create a more rounded and satisfying auditory experience.
In essence, although the Rice Pudding and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches feature different materials for their bottom housing, their shared polycarbonate top housing ensures they will produce comparable results in terms of sound clarity and resonance. Users can enjoy the best of both worlds: a sharp and vibrant sound from the polycarbonate top while also experiencing the fuller, richer auditory sensation from the nylon bottom. This synergy between the two materials allows for a versatile typing experience, making both switches appealing choices for keyboard enthusiasts seeking specific auditory feedback and tactile satisfaction.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, notable differences can be seen in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Rice Pudding switch features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to activate. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer switch. This means that users who favor lighter switches for comfort would lean towards the Rice Pudding, while those who appreciate a heavier tactile response would opt for the Sea Salt Lemon. Overall, the differences in forces lead to varied experiences in terms of comfort and typing feel, making the choice dependent on individual preferences for weight and feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, the differences are quite noticeable. The Rice Pudding features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the longer option. This means that users who prefer a more responsive and quicker actuation may lean towards the Rice Pudding switch, whereas those who favor a more substantial feel and a deeper keypress might find the Sea Salt Lemon to be more to their liking. In essence, the choice between these two switches will largely depend on personal preference regarding travel distance and the type of feedback one seeks while typing or gaming.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch delivers a deep and satisfying auditory experience, providing a balanced typing sound that is both rich and precise. This depth can create a more immersive typing atmosphere, making it particularly appealing for those who enjoy auditory feedback. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch produces a low-pitched sound that is characterized as mellow and bass-heavy, alongside a neutral tone that ensures versatility. The subtle nature of the Sea Salt Lemon's sound profile makes it suitable for a variety of environments, whether at home or in a professional setting, although it may not provide the same depth as the Rice Pudding.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch excels in providing a smooth, enjoyable typing experience, although specific details regarding its tactile characteristics are not provided. The KTT Sea Salt Lemon, on the other hand, is designed with a mild feel in mind, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable for users of all skill levels. The combination of a progressive spring and a dry-lube design contributes to its buttery smooth operation, making it an attractive option for those who prefer an easy and fluid typing experience.
Overall, both the Everglide Rice Pudding and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches boast unique qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Rice Pudding is celebrated for its deep sound and smooth operation, the Sea Salt Lemon excels in delivering a more neutral auditory experience paired with a gentle, mild feel. Ultimately, your choice between these two will come down to whether you prioritize a richer sound and precision or a smoother, softer typing experience, but you can expect satisfaction in either case.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switches and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a lighter switch that offers a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding is an excellent choice, especially if you’re an enthusiast looking for compatibility with Wooting keyboards. Its lighter actuation force of 48 grams makes it ideal for long typing sessions, minimizing finger fatigue while delivering precision. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer key feel with a more neutral sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams force and progressive spring design provide a buttery smooth experience that appeals to both beginners and seasoned typists alike. Its low-pitched tone lends itself well to quieter environments, making it suitable for office use or shared spaces. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you lean towards a more tactile, satisfying experience or a gentle, versatile touch.
Mentioned in this article
