Everglide Rice Pudding vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular contenders are the Everglide Rice Pudding and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, each offering unique qualities tailored to different preferences. The Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its smooth operation and deep sound, providing a balanced typing experience that combines satisfaction with precision. Moreover, its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards makes it a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking both performance and versatility. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch caters to those fond of linear switches with its innovative POK material, resulting in a buttery and creamy feel that evokes its dessert namesake. Its high-pitched and clacky sound signature further enhances the typing experience, appealing to users who favor distinct auditory feedback. While both switches present enticing features, they cater to different styles of typists and preferences. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Rice Pudding and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both utilize distinct materials for their housing, which significantly influence the auditory and tactile characteristics of the switches. The Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing that is engineered for clarity and resonance. This material's stiffness contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, particularly appealing for users who prefer a crisp auditory feedback during typing. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream employs a proprietary blend for its top housing, which consists of "special mixed materials." While the specific composition of this blend is not disclosed, it is designed to produce a similarly high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Both switches excel in delivering a lively experience during keystrokes, but while the Rice Pudding focuses on the advantages of polycarbonate's translucency for enhancing RGB lighting effects, the Vanilla Ice Cream likely relies on its unique material blend to achieve its sound characteristics.
Examining the bottom housing materials reveals a more pronounced difference in design objectives and resulting sound profiles. The Rice Pudding incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which dampens sound and contributes to a deeper and fuller auditory experience. Nylon’s softer plastic properties allow it to absorb sound waves effectively, resulting in a rounder, mellower typing sound. In stark contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream features a POK bottom housing, known for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction slightly higher than that of traditional materials, POK creates a distinctive clacky sound while also enhancing the tactile feel of each keystroke. This combination lends itself to a sharper typing experience, contrasting with the Rice Pudding’s more subdued acoustic response.
Ultimately, the different housing materials at play in each switch greatly influence the overall typing experience. The Rice Pudding’s hybrid of polycarbonate and nylon blends an energetic top housing characteristic with a softer, more subdued bottom sound, resulting in a more traditional typing feel. Conversely, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a specialized blend of top materials paired with a robust and smooth bottom housing to create a typing experience that is sharp and pronounced. Despite these essential differences, both switches offer unique advantages in auditory feedback, and users may find similar satisfaction in their seeking of sound quality and tactile response, balancing their choices according to personal preference.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we see some interesting distinctions in actuation force. The Rice Pudding switch features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream requires a slightly heavier 43 grams. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 48 grams, indicating that once they are fully pressed down, they have an equal resistance. This means that while typists or gamers seeking a more effortless keystroke will find the Rice Pudding more suitable due to its lower actuation force, those who prefer a more substantial feel will lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream's heavier actuation force. Overall, with both switches being light in weight regarding their bottom out forces, the Rice Pudding provides a more gentle typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a firmer push.
Travel distance
The Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this regard. This similarity means that users can expect a consistent feel when pressing either switch, leading to similar keystroke experiences. The equal travel distance of 3.5 mm ensures that both switches provide the same amount of feedback and resistance when activated, resulting in comparable performance during 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 Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 considering the sound produced by the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, they are known for delivering a deep and rich auditory experience. This sound profile is satisfying and precise, providing a pleasant acoustic feedback during typing without being overly sharp or abrasive. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches present a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Their acoustics are marked by a marbly and resonant quality, offering a crisp and clean sound that some typists may find invigorating. Those who prefer a sharper auditory experience would likely gravitate towards the Vanilla Ice Cream, while others seeking a more robust sound might favor the Rice Pudding.
In terms of feel, the Rice Pudding switches offer a smooth operational experience, allowing for seamless typing interactions. While specific descriptors for the feel of the Rice Pudding switches weren't provided, one can infer that they deliver a satisfying tactile response correlating with their sound characteristics. The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, in contrast, stand out for their buttery and creamy feel, characterized by their remarkably smooth keystrokes. This tactile sensation can create an effortless typing experience that many find enjoyable, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly over the keys.
Overall, those who prioritize sound might prefer the rich depth of the Rice Pudding for a more rounded auditory feel, while enthusiasts of higher-pitched tones would appreciate the Vanilla Ice Cream's clarity and resonance. In terms of feel, the Rice Pudding's likely smooth finish and the Vanilla Ice Cream's creamy texture offer distinct yet enjoyable typing experiences. Both switches cater to varying preferences but share an underlying commitment to delivering pleasure in typing, making either a worthy choice depending on individual taste.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a smooth and precise typing experience with a deeper sound profile, the Rice Pudding switch is an ideal option. Its combination of performance and acoustic characteristics makes it an excellent choice for both casual typing and gaming, especially if you're considering versatility with Wooting keyboards. On the other hand, if you find yourself drawn to a high-pitched, clacky sound and a buttery, creamy feel that enhances your tactile experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch might be more to your liking. The innovative use of POK materials in this switch elevates its smoothness while providing a distinct auditory feedback that some typists prefer. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the satisfying resonance of the Rice Pudding or the delightful creaminess of the Vanilla Ice Cream, both switches offer unique benefits that cater to different styling, gaming, and typing experiences.
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