Huano Acacia vs. Everglide Aqua King (V3)
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Everglide Aqua King (V3) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and the Everglide Aqua King (V3) present two compelling options, each with its own unique characteristics. The Acacia is renowned for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, delivering an exceptional typing experience right out of the box. It's an ideal choice for those looking for a balanced feel and reliable performance without the need for extensive customization. On the other hand, the Aqua King (V3) offers an incredibly smooth typing experience likened to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice, featuring a frictionless, silky touch that transforms each keystroke into a magical experience. This switch is perfect for users who prioritize a polished feel and smooth actuation, making it an enticing option for both gamers and typists seeking an elevated tactile experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Everglide Aqua King (V3), the similarities in the top housing provide a consistent foundation for their sound profiles. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is largely attributed to polycarbonate's relatively stiff nature, which enhances resonant qualities. Furthermore, its translucency enhances aesthetic appeal, especially for users who utilize RGB lighting, ensuring that both switches can project vibrant illumination. The shared use of this material for the top housing guarantees that both switches produce a comparable auditory experience during key release, leading to a bright and engaging sound characteristic.
In contrast, the bottom housing of the two switches introduces a notable divergence in their acoustic properties. The Huano Acacia utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a material known for its softer composition. This results in a deeper, rounder sound profile that absorbs more noise, creating a warmer typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) opts for polycarbonate in its bottom housing as well, mirroring the top housing's characteristics with a sharper, more resonant sound. This difference in materials suggests that while the Acacia may provide a fuller auditory response during typing, the Aqua King will maintain a consistent bright sound throughout its range of key presses.
Ultimately, the differences in bottom housing materials will have a decisive impact on the overall auditory experience of each switch. While the Huano Acacia's nylon bottom may yield a softer and richer sound, the Everglide Aqua King (V3), with its polycarbonate part, will lean into a sharper sound profile for both the bottom-out and release phases. As such, the Acacia's typing experience would be notably warmer, while the Aqua King keeps a clearer, crisper sound throughout. Users will find that the interplay of top and bottom housing materials shapes the final sound profile, making these switches appealing for different preferences.
Weight
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch offer a subtle contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, which influences their typing experiences. The Acacia has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Aqua King (V3), which requires 46 grams to actuate, making the Acacia the better choice for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, particularly useful during long sessions at work or gaming. When it comes to bottom out forces, the Acacia again comes in lighter at 55 grams, while the Aqua King (V3) has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. This indicates that the Acacia is more forgiving upon bottoming out, providing a softer landing that can enhance comfort over extended use. In summary, for those who favor a lighter touch and reduced effort, the Huano Acacia linear switch is the preferable option, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) appeals to users who enjoy a slightly heavier, more substantial feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Acacia features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Aqua King (V3) has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Acacia provides a shorter key press, which can enhance responsiveness, making it a suitable choice for gamers seeking quicker actuation. In contrast, the Aqua King (V3), with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial depth and tactile feel, appealing to users who prefer a more pronounced key press experience. Ultimately, your preference for shorter or longer travel distances will dictate which switch works best for your typing or gaming style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) has an MSRP of $7.18 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua King (V3) for $5.44.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 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 Huano Acacia linear switch is noted for providing a balanced auditory experience; it produces a sound that is not overly loud or sharp, making it suitable for both quiet and moderately noisy environments. This acoustic quality allows it to blend well in any setting without being intrusive. In contrast, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) is characterized as subdued, creating a dampened sound when pressed. While not completely silent, it delivers a subtle sound signature that distinguishes it from other more resonant switches. The choice of keyboard and keycaps also plays a role in the overall sound, so users might find that both switches can be equally unobtrusive depending on their setups.
In terms of feel, the Acacia switch stands out due to its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, resulting in a satisfying typing experience that can be enjoyable for various typing tasks. However, the Aqua King (V3) elevates this experience even further through its frictionless design. With a silky, creamy sensation akin to gliding over ice, the Aqua King allows fingers to traverse the keys effortlessly, minimizing resistance. Its polished feel, combined with both a silky and frictionless typing experience, results in an outstandingly fluid action that few switches can match. While the Acacia offers a pleasant typing experience, the Aqua King (V3) truly embodies smoothness and lightness.
In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and Everglide Aqua King (V3) switches offer unique attributes that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Acacia excels in providing a balanced sound profile and a solid typing experience with minimal fuss, making it a great choice for consistent use. Meanwhile, the Aqua King (V3) impresses with its exceptionally smooth, frictionless feel, and subdued auditory output, setting a high bar for luxury typing experiences. Ultimately, both switches can offer satisfying results, but for those seeking the utmost in smooth action, the Aqua King (V3) may stand out as the preferable choice.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the choice between Huano Acacia linear switches and Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a lighter touch and appreciate a smooth experience with minimal stem wobble right out of the box, the Acacia may be the ideal choice for you. With its medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, it caters well to those who enjoy a typing experience that feels fluid and forgiving, making it suitable for long typing sessions without fatigue. Conversely, if you're in search of a more robust and frictionless experience, the Aqua King (V3) stands out with its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams and a truly impressive, silky smooth feel. This switch is perfect for those who prefer a bit more resistance while still enjoying a refined and polished tactile experience, making it great for both gaming and typing alike. The Aqua King’s subdued sound profile further enhances a focused workspace, especially if noise level is a consideration for you. In the end, understanding your specific needs—whether you prioritize lightness and immediacy or a firmer, smoother glide—will lead you to the switch that best complements your typing habits.
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