Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Bsun Avocado
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Avocado switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Avocado tactile switch, it's clear that each offers a unique typing experience. The Aqua King is beloved for its frictionless feel, akin to gliding effortlessly on ice. On the other hand, the Avocado boasts a pronounced tactile bump that delivers a satisfying feedback without being overwhelming. While the Aqua King is categorized as 'Subdued', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Silky', 'Polished', the Avocado is labeled as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Snappy'. Essentially, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Aqua King may be the way to go. Alternatively, if you enjoy a tactile bump with every key press, the Avocado could be the ideal choice for you. 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
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Avocado both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is excellent for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Bsun Avocado features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aqua King. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound.
While both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, the difference lies in their bottom housings. The split in housing materials allows each switch to offer a unique typing experience. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, creating a distinct tactile experience for users. On the other hand, the Avocado's nylon bottom housing contributes to a different sound profile when typing, emphasizing a deeper and fuller tone. Each housing material brings its own set of qualities to the switch, enhancing the overall typing experience for users in different ways.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Avocado both feature polycarbonate top housings, their bottom housings set them apart. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the tactile feedback and sound when pressing down on keys, while the Avocado's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper sound profile. Both switches provide a unique typing experience based on the housing materials used, showcasing how material choice can impact the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Avocado tactile switch both provide a medium actuation force, with the Aqua King requiring 46 grams of force and the Avocado requiring 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Aqua King is lighter with 62 grams compared to the Avocado's heavier 65 grams. The Aqua King would provide a lighter typing experience, perfect for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Avocado would offer a more substantial push feel. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but depending on personal preference, one may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Aqua King or the heavier bottom out force of the Avocado. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is preferred.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer than the Bsun Avocado tactile switch's travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Aqua King offers a deeper key press experience, which may be preferred by some users who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the Avocado's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers or individuals looking for a faster response time. Both switches have their own advantages depending on personal preference, with the Aqua King providing a longer travel distance and the Avocado offering a slightly shorter one. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual typing or gaming preferences.
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 Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
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 Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Avocado tactile switch offer distinct differences in sound and feel. The Aqua King (V3) produces a subdued sound when pressed, providing a more subtle and dampened typing experience. On the other hand, the Avocado offers a mild and neutral sound signature, creating an unobtrusive background for its pronounced tactile feedback. When it comes to feel, the Aqua King (V3) offers a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience, allowing for effortless keystrokes and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Avocado switch is described as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, providing a tactile bump that is satisfying and responsive without being overwhelming. Overall, while both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, users can expect a smooth and enjoyable typing experience from the Aqua King (V3) and a tactile and engaging experience from the Bsun Avocado.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Avocado tactile switch, consider the typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a smooth and frictionless feel reminiscent of gliding on ice, then the Aqua King (V3) is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback with a snappy and invigorating bump, then the Bsun Avocado switch will provide you with a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal preference in typing feel and sound, so choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.