Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and intended use. The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), a hall effect switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and refined tactile sensation, thanks to its dustproof stem designed to minimize wobble. This makes it an appealing option for typists who favor a quiet yet satisfying experience, complete with the signature "thock" sound that enthusiasts crave. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness, which serves as a tactile switch, provides a subtle to moderate tactile feedback that can enhance typing accuracy and comfort. Its balanced sound profile harmonizes with the tactile characteristics, offering an engaging typing experience without being overly loud or disruptive. Both switches cater to different typing styles, making them attractive for various users, whether you prioritize smoothness and sound or tactile feedback and comfort. 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
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) and the Gateron Weightlessness, a significant contrast is evident in the top housing composition. The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucence, which leads to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Users looking for clarity and brightness in their typing experience often prefer polycarbonate, as it resonates well and lends itself to enhanced RGB lighting effects due to its transparent nature. In stark contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness features a nylon top housing. This material tends to absorb more sound, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon's softer properties create a contrast with the polycarbonate's crystalline sound, appealing to those who appreciate a dampened, rounded auditory experience.
Despite the differences in the top housing, both the Sticky Rice (V2) and the Weightlessness share nylon as the bottom housing material. This commonality means that when typing on either switch, the deeper and fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon will manifest prominently as the bottom housing contributes significantly to the feel and sound upon bottoming out. The absorption capabilities of nylon soften the impact noise, creating an enjoyable typing sound that many users appreciate. Therefore, while the top housings may produce contrasting experiences in terms of sound sharpness and clarity, the velvety richness provided by the nylon bottom remains consistent across both switches.
Ultimately, the differences in sound profiles between the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) and the Gateron Weightlessness can be attributed to the disparate top housing materials, while the similarities in their nylon bottom housing underscore a unifying auditory theme. If one were to install the Sticky Rice (V2) and the Weightlessness side by side, the typing experience would showcase the brighter, crisper sounds from the polycarbonate and the duller, more absorbing qualities of the nylon from below. This interplay between distinct top housing materials and a shared bottom housing allows for a diverse typing experience within the same framework of quality construction, enabling keyboard enthusiasts to explore varied sound signatures while retaining a common base characteristic.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, a clear distinction emerges in their actuation forces. The Sticky Rice (V2) features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it ideal for long typing sessions as it requires less effort to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness comes with a heftier actuation force of 50 grams, providing a more substantial tactile feedback for users who prefer a stronger push feel. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness is not specified, which makes it challenging to assess just how far the key travels before hitting the bottom. In terms of overall force, the Sticky Rice (V2) is the lighter option, while the Gateron Weightlessness is heavier, catering to those who favor a more robust typing experience. Despite these differences, if both switches were set to lighter actuation forces, users could expect similar results regarding overall typing comfort and fatigue during extended use.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Although the difference is minimal, it indicates that the Sticky Rice switch offers a slightly deeper keystroke, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch caters to those who favor a quicker response time, making it more suitable for gamers who benefit from lesser travel distances. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance could influence user preference, as the Sticky Rice offers a longer, more tactile press, while the Weightlessness provides a marginally shorter, more responsive feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sticky Rice (V2) for $6.79.
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 produced by the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches is characterized by a neutral sound signature that leans towards the sought-after "thock" profile, which many keyboard enthusiasts prefer for its satisfying auditory feedback during typing. While the Gateron Weightlessness switches are noted for their balanced sound profile, they likely don’t reach the same level of depth as the “thock” provided by the Sticky Rice. However, sound perception can vary significantly depending on the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps, so both switches can achieve pleasing auditory experiences under different setups.
When it comes to feel, the Sticky Rice (V2) switches offer a notably smooth keystroke designed to deliver a refined tactile sensation. The introduction of a dustproof stem minimizes wobble, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, Gateron Weightlessness switches provide a subtle to moderate tactile feedback, which contributes to a satisfying yet less pronounced tactile experience compared to the Sticky Rice. This means that while both switches are designed to be enjoyable to type on, the Sticky Rice (V2) leans towards a smoother and potentially more refined tactile experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) and Gateron Weightlessness tactile switches each present unique qualities that make them appealing to different users. The Sticky Rice excels in providing a nuanced sound and a super smooth, refined feel, while the Weightlessness offers a balanced sound profile with a moderate tactile feedback. Ultimately, your choice may boil down to your preference for sound and tactile feedback, as each switch caters to different aspects of the typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch should fundamentally depend on your typing preferences and intended use. If you’re seeking a switch that offers a smooth keystroke with a weighty yet manageable bottom out force of 50 grams, the Sticky Rice (V2) is an excellent option. This switch excels if you desire a refined tactile sensation paired with a satisfying "thock" sound, making it ideal for both typing and gaming scenarios where responsiveness and feedback are critical. On the other hand, if you prefer a subtler tactile experience and prioritize a balanced sound profile without the need for a specified bottom-out force, the Gateron Weightlessness might be more suited to you. This switch provides a moderate tactile feedback, which can enhance your typing experience without overwhelming your fingers with resistance. Ultimately, consider your typing style, sound preferences, and whether balance or tactile feedback is more important to your overall keyboard experience when choosing between these two distinct switches.
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