Everglide Rice Pudding vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Rice Pudding and the Gazzew U4T cater to distinct preferences, each delivering a unique typing experience. The Rice Pudding switches are celebrated for their smooth operation and satisfying acoustic profile, providing a blend of performance and versatility that appeals to gaming enthusiasts and typists alike, especially due to their full compatibility with Wooting’s innovative keyboards. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Ts stand out with their pronounced tactility and rich 'thocky' sound, offering a delightful auditory experience for users who appreciate a more tactile feedback in their keystrokes. For those seeking a seamless typing experience with a deep sound, the Rice Pudding may be the ideal choice, while the U4T is perfect for those who favor assertive tactile sensations along with a bassy tone. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Rice Pudding and the Gazzew U4T represent two distinct approaches to housing materials, each affecting the sound profile of the switches in unique ways. The Rice Pudding utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness. This material contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, allowing for greater clarity when the key is released. In contrast, the U4T employs a proprietary Gazzew blend for its top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," which is softer and yields a warmer and deeper sound. This difference in top housing materials indicates that while the Rice Pudding offers a more punchy auditory experience upon release, the U4T aims for a more muted and rounded sound, demonstrating a fundamental contrast in design philosophy between the two switches.
When examining the bottom housings, both switches utilize materials that share a common lineage in terms of softer plastics, although sourced differently. The Rice Pudding uses a nylon bottom housing, which tends to absorb sound well, resulting in a fuller and deeper auditory experience. Conversely, the Gazzew U4T's bottom housing also features the proprietary Gazzew blend, which enhances the richness of sound by being inherently soft. This similarity in bottom housing materials suggests that both switches are positioned to deliver rounder and more immersive bottom-out sounds. Each switch, with its individual character, nevertheless leans on softer materials to achieve that depth in sound, reinforcing the effectiveness of softer plastics in creating pleasant auditory experiences during typing.
Ultimately, the combined properties of the top and bottom housings in each switch define their overall response and sound profile. In the Rice Pudding, the crispness from the polycarbonate top housing harmonizes with the depth of the nylon bottom, creating a nuanced sound experience that emphasizes both clarity and warmth. Similarly, the Gazzew U4T, with both top and bottom utilizing the "boba plastic," melds soft qualities throughout, producing a consistently rich auditory profile. If users seek a versatile sound experience that captures the benefits of both styles, they might find similar auditory satisfaction in both switches, albeit through different tonal pathways—highlighting the intricate balance between material properties and auditory perception in keyboard switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch to the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Rice Pudding features a light actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it well-suited for users who prefer a lighter touch for those long typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the U4T switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which suggests a more robust feel, although its actuation force is unspecified. This means that while the Rice Pudding allows for easier keystrokes, the Gazzew U4T promises a more substantial feedback, possibly catering to users who enjoy a firmer push. Ultimately, for those who prioritize a lighter experience, the Rice Pudding is the ideal choice, while users seeking a heavier, more tactile feedback would lean towards the Gazzew U4T.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, it's clear that their designs cater to different preferences. The Rice Pudding features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the U4T's 4 mm travel distance. This makes the Rice Pudding a more responsive option, ideal for gamers seeking quick key presses, while the U4T offers a more pronounced feedback thanks to its longer travel, suitable for those who appreciate a deeper keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference: players looking for speed might favor the Rice Pudding, whereas individuals who prefer a satisfying depth in their keystrokes could lean towards the U4T.
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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch is characterized by a deep and rich audio profile, providing a deeply satisfying auditory experience. This switch balances smoothness and resonance, making each keystroke enjoyable and clear. Comparatively, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch delivers an even more pronounced acoustic signature, notable for its bassy and thocky qualities. With a deep "thock" sound that resembles a soft thud with each key press, the U4T generates a sound profile designed to evoke a sense of fullness and depth that can be particularly appealing to users who appreciate a robust auditory feedback in their typing experience. That being said, the overall sound experience with both switches can vary significantly depending on the choice of keyboard and keycaps, ensuring that users can customize their profiles to match personal preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are often praised for their smooth operation that leads to a satisfying typing experience, though specific tactile feedback details are less clear. In contrast, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch is well-regarded for its sharp tactile feel, providing a strong, crisp tactile bump that offers a distinct feedback with every keystroke. The notable clarity in the U4T’s tactile response makes it feel very engaging, giving typists an immersive experience as they type. While the Rice Pudding switches may provide a pleasant sensation under the fingers, the U4T distinctly elevates the tactile experience, creating a more pronounced interaction with each keystroke.
In conclusion, while both the Everglide Rice Pudding and Gazzew U4T switches offer their own unique sound and feel characteristics, the Rice Pudding emphasizes a smooth operation and deep sound, whereas the U4T is celebrated for its robust thock and sharp tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two will come down to personal preference, as sound and tactile experiences can be highly subjective. For a group of keyboard enthusiasts, the versatility and performance offered by the Rice Pudding make it a strong contender, but the U4T's engaging tactile feedback and rich acoustics could cater to those seeking a more pronounced typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you lean towards a lighter actuation force and appreciate a smooth, precise typing experience with a balanced auditory profile, the Rice Pudding is your ideal option. Its versatility, particularly with compatibility on Wooting keyboards, caters well to enthusiasts who prioritize performance and a satisfying yet gentle typing experience. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more substantial keystroke with a medium-heavy feel, the Gazzew U4T is excellent for those who appreciate pronounced tactile feedback and a rich, bassy sound. This switch is particularly appealing if you value a pronounced auditory experience, as each keypress delivers a deep "thock" that is satisfying and immersive. Ultimately, consider how you want your keyboard to feel and sound while you type; this will guide you in selecting the switch that best suits your needs.
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