Everglide Rice Pudding vs. Gateron Type L
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the Gateron Type L switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding and Gateron Type L switches, enthusiasts find themselves torn between two distinct mechanical experiences characterized by their operational qualities and acoustic profiles. The Everglide Rice Pudding, a hall effect switch, is celebrated for its smooth operation and rich sound, providing typists with a satisfying and precise experience. Its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards further enhances its appeal, making it a versatile choice for users seeking both performance and adaptability. On the other hand, the Gateron Type L, a linear switch, introduces a fresh take on classic travel distances through Sillyworks' "Project Rehash" initiative. Notable for being the lightest switch in its series, it offers a feather-light actuation force of just 45g, coupled with a subdued acoustic signature that caters to those who appreciate a quieter typing experience. With their unique characteristics, each switch serves different preferences—whether you're drawn to the depth and satisfaction of the Rice Pudding or the effortless keystrokes of the Type L. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Rice Pudding and Gateron Type L switches employ distinct materials for their top housings, which play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile produced during typing. The Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffness, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This characteristic enables the switch to resonate clearly, especially beneficial for users who appreciate the brightness brought about by RGB lighting, as the transparent nature of polycarbonate enhances visual effects. In contrast, the Type L utilizes a nylon top housing, a classic material that induces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a rounder, more muted auditory experience. While both switches aim to create satisfying feedback, their differing housing materials lead to notably different sound characteristics.
On the other hand, both the Rice Pudding and the Type L feature nylon for their bottom housings. This uniformity means that the bottom-out sound and feel for both types will exhibit similar characteristics—deeper and rounder tones generated by the absorption properties of nylon. The shared material here suggests that, irrespective of the differences in their top housings, users will experience a consistent bottom-out sound. Thus, despite the diversity in design objectives between the switches, the incorporation of nylon in the lower housings ensures that keypresses are both satisfying and coherent across both models.
Ultimately, the combination of materials facilitates a unique experience for each switch. The Rice Pudding leverages a polycarbonate top coupled with a nylon bottom to deliver a versatile sound, with a pronounced brightness during release and a satisfied fullness upon bottoming out. Meanwhile, the Type L presents a full-bodied experience throughout, with nylon dominating both ends of the switch. Users seeking to appreciate the nuanced differences between the two will find that while they may experience comparable depth in sound from the nylon bases, the distinctive sound profiles shaped by the contrasting top materials serve to define their overall typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Gateron Type L linear switch both have an actuation force of 38 grams, making them equally light in terms of the pressure needed to register a keystroke. However, their bottom out forces differ, with the Rice Pudding at 48 grams and the Type L at 45 grams; this means that while both switches provide a similar actuation experience, the Rice Pudding requires slightly more force to bottom out. For users who prioritize a lighter typing experience for extended use, both options are favorable due to their relatively low actuation forces. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel might find the extra 3 grams of bottom out force on the Rice Pudding switch to align better with their preference for a stronger key press sensation. Overall, while both switches offer similar actuation characteristics, the Rice Pudding is slightly heavier at the bottom out stage, appealing to a different aspect of typing preference.
Travel distance
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Type L linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Rice Pudding the shorter option, appealing for those who prefer a faster response time often favored by gamers. Conversely, the Type L provides a more traditional feel with its 4 mm travel, which some users may find offers more substantial feedback during key presses. If you're seeking a responsive experience with a less abrupt feel, the Rice Pudding might be the better choice, whereas those who enjoy a deeper key press might opt for the Type L. Thus, while both switches cater to different preferences, their varied travel distances highlight the distinction between responsive and traditional typing experiences.
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 Gateron Type L comes in at $4.70 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 sound profile of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is characterized by a deep acoustic signature that adds a satisfying richness to each keystroke. This creates an engaging auditory experience, allowing users to enjoy both the tactile feedback and the aural presence during typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Type L switch offers a more neutral and subdued sound, resulting in a moderate sound profile that strikes a balance suitable for various environments. While the Type L is not overly loud, it does produce a pleasant, dampened sound upon actuation, making it discreet yet still enjoyable. Thus, both switches cater to different preferences in sound: the Rice Pudding favors an impactful acoustic presence, while the Type L is designed for users seeking a more muted experience.
When discussing the feel, the Rice Pudding's qualities remain unspecified, but its reputation suggests a balance between smoothness and tactile feedback that should be satisfactory for most typists. On the other hand, the Gateron Type L is renowned for its feathery and easy-to-press nature. With a light actuation force of only 45g, it allows for effortless keystrokes, reducing finger fatigue over prolonged use. The Type L’s design is particularly accommodating for extended sessions, whether for work or gaming, ensuring that comfort is a key component of the typing experience. While we lack detailed information on the Rice Pudding’s exact feel, the Type L's light touch emphasizes ease and responsiveness.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Rice Pudding and Gateron Type L switches have unique qualities that may appeal to different types of users. The Rice Pudding offers a deeper sound and a smooth typing experience likely enjoyable for those who appreciate a more prominent auditory feedback while typing. The Type L provides a lighter actuation force and a subdued sound, making it an excellent option for users looking for a responsive and fatigue-free experience. Whether you prefer the rich sound and balanced tactile feedback of the Rice Pudding or the light and discreet nature of the Type L, each switch caters to different typing preferences, showcasing their own merits in the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Gateron Type L linear switch, it's essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a switch that offers a smooth, satisfying typing experience complemented by a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding would be an excellent choice. Its compatibility with Wooting keyboards makes it particularly appealing for enthusiasts who want to enjoy advanced functionalities and a versatile performance. On the other hand, if you prioritize ultra-light key presses and maximum comfort during extended usage, then the Gateron Type L is your best bet. With its feathery touch and subdued sound profile, it minimizes finger fatigue and ensures effortless typing, making it suitable for both work and leisure. Ultimately, both switches offer light actuation forces and enjoyable typing experiences, so your choice should reflect whether you value sound character and versatility or an ultra-light touch for prolonged use.
Mentioned in this article
