Gateron Aliaz vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, one may consider the Gateron Aliaz, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, a linear switch. The Aliaz switches are renowned for their silent design, making them ideal for quiet environments such as the office. They provide a medium-heavy weight that offers a substantial feel to each keystroke, appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches, with their Creamsicle-colored design, offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. They provide a rich, bassy, and decadent sound that transforms typing into an indulgent experience. The medium weight of the Sunset Yellow switches makes them suitable for a wide range of users and their unique Ly stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel. 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
60g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, both the Gateron Aliaz and the Everglide Sunset Yellow feature unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The Aliaz's polycarbonate top and bottom housings create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow's POM top and bottom housings produce a deeper and more muted sound profile, offering a different auditory experience for users.
While the Aliaz and the Sunset Yellow switches both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, the impact of these materials on the overall typing experience remains similar. The polycarbonate housings of the Aliaz contribute to a sharper, more resonant sound when pressing down on the keys, while the POM housings of the Sunset Yellow create a deeper and more muted sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that is enhanced by the unique qualities of their respective housing materials.
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Aliaz and the Everglide Sunset Yellow ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. The Aliaz's polycarbonate top and bottom housings provide a crisper and higher-pitched sound, while the Sunset Yellow's POM top and bottom housings offer a deeper and more muted sound profile. Whether you prefer a sharper and more resonant typing experience or a softer and more mellow sound, both switches provide high-quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience overall.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Aliaz is the heavier option with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow is the lighter option with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams. The lighter actuation force of the Sunset Yellow makes it more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the heavier forces of the Aliaz may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, the choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference for typing feel and desired force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is 4 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that the Aliaz has a longer distance to travel before actuation compared to the Sunset Yellow. The Aliaz may provide a more satisfying tactile feedback due to the longer travel distance, while the Sunset Yellow may offer a quicker response time with its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preference for either a more pronounced keypress feel or a faster keystroke. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their respective travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 Gateron Aliaz switch offers a muted experience, providing a softer and quieter typing sound suitable for quiet environments like offices. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch delivers a bassy and thocky sound profile that adds depth and richness to each keystroke, creating a more indulgent typing experience reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. The choice between these switches will boil down to personal preference, with the Aliaz providing a subdued sound and the Sunset Yellow offering a more pronounced and satisfying auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with reduced resistance and smooth key travel. Conversely, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy and frictionless typing sensation, allowing for effortless key presses and a silky smooth experience. Both switches offer a polished feel, ensuring a sleek and enjoyable typing experience with a focus on minimizing resistance and enhancing overall smoothness. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a medium-heavy weight with a pronounced typing feedback (Aliaz) or a distinct gliding feel with a sharp and responsive typing experience (Sunset Yellow).
Overall, while the Gateron Aliaz and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different sound and feel experiences, both provide a high-quality typing experience with unique characteristics. If you prefer a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy weight and pronounced feedback, the Aliaz switch would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a rich and bassy sound profile along with a creamy and frictionless typing sensation, the Sunset Yellow switch would be a perfect fit. Both switches offer a polished feel that enhances the overall typing experience, ensuring that regardless of your choice, you'll achieve a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you prioritize a quiet typing experience with a medium-heavy weight and substantial feel, the Aliaz switches are an excellent choice, especially for office environments. On the other hand, if you enjoy a unique sound profile resembling mahjong tiles colliding, along with a medium-weight and distinct gliding feel, the Sunset Yellow switches offer a more indulgent typing experience suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the muted and silky feel of the Aliaz or the bassy and creamy sensation of the Sunset Yellow, taking into account your desired typing sound and feel.
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