Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Durock Black Lotus

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that come to mind are the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Black Lotus, both of which are linear switches. The Aqua King is widely recognized for its incredibly smooth and frictionless feel, akin to gliding on fresh ice at an ice skating rink. With a typing experience that feels almost magical, this switch is subdued, creamy, and polished. On the other hand, the Black Lotus stands out for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, thanks to reduced housing and stem wobble. It offers a mild and buttery typing experience and features a 55g actuation weight for a substantial, yet not overly heavy feel. Additionally, the Black Lotus boasts a unique light column that provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing preferences.

By the numbers

Everglide Aqua King (V3) Linear

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$7.18

$5.44 per 10

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Black Lotus have contrasting materials for their top housings. The Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic material enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, providing a unique and luxurious feel to the switch. While both materials contribute to the overall aesthetics of the switches, the Aqua King's polycarbonate offers a brighter and more vibrant sound profile compared to the Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top housing.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Everglide Aqua King continues to utilize polycarbonate, bringing the same qualities as its top housing. The sharper and crisper sound profile is present in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The translucency of polycarbonate also remains advantageous for those utilizing RGB lighting. On the contrary, the Durock Black Lotus uses a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its softer plastic composition, nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Thus, pressing down on the Black Lotus switch will elicit a different tactile and auditory experience compared to the Aqua King.

Although the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Black Lotus have distinct materials for their top and bottom housings, it is important to note that each material contributes to different aspects of the switch's performance. The top housing material has a greater impact on the sound produced when key presses are released, while the bottom housing material affects the bottom-out sound and feel when keys are pressed down. Therefore, although the Aqua King and Black Lotus may have differences in their housing materials, the results in terms of sound and tactile feedback will still be similar, with the Aqua King offering a sharper and crisper sound profile overall compared to the Black Lotus's deeper and fuller sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Aqua King has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams, whereas the Black Lotus requires slightly more force at 55 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King has a weight of 62 grams, providing a medium level of resistance when fully pressed. On the other hand, the Black Lotus offers a slightly higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, falling into the medium-heavy range.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience to facilitate long periods of typing or gaming, the Aqua King would be the more suitable option. It allows for effortless actuation and a relatively moderate bottom out force. Alternatively, individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience and the feeling of a stronger push may opt for the Black Lotus. Its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a greater level of resistance and a more tactile typing sensation.

While the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the Aqua King and Black Lotus, both switches offer similar results within their respective categories. Those seeking a medium switch with a slightly lighter touch may find the Aqua King to their liking, while those who prefer a medium-heavy switch with more resistance might prefer the Black Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of a switch is crucial to the typing experience, as it determines the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom when a key is pressed. In the case of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, both switches have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of the distance the switches travel. Whether it's the Aqua King or the Black Lotus, pressing down on a key will result in the same 4 mm travel distance, ensuring a familiar feel and performance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch provides a subdued typing experience. The switch produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. Keep in mind that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the sound of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. However, based on the descriptions provided, it is likely that the Black Lotus switch will offer a similar subdued sound profile, providing a quieter typing experience.

When it comes to feel, both switches offer exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experiences. The Everglide Aqua King switch is often described as feeling frictionless, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. It provides a magical typing experience reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. On the other hand, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as silky, offering enhanced smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches are also labeled as polished, indicating a smooth finish and reduced friction during key travel. Overall, both switches deliver a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, providing a seamless and uniform sensation.

In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch share several subjective qualities. In terms of sound, both switches provide a subdued typing experience, although the exact sound characteristics of the Black Lotus switch are unknown. As for feel, both switches offer creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experiences, with smooth and effortless key travel. While the Black Lotus switch may have a 55g actuation weight, it is not described as hefty, suggesting a comfortable weight for typing. Based on the available information, it is likely that both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a frictionless and magical typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches feel like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly, creating a truly enjoyable typing sensation. The Aqua King also offers a subdued sound, providing a more subtle and dampened typing experience.

On the other hand, if you value silky smoothness, unparalleled precision, and reduced housing and stem wobble, then the Durock Black Lotus linear switch would be a better fit for you. With its 55g actuation weight, these switches provide a substantial typing feel without being too heavy. The unique light column also adds a visually appealing element to your keyboard setup.

In terms of sound, the Aqua King offers a subdued switch that produces a dampened sound when pressed, while the sound profile of the Black Lotus is not mentioned.

Both switches have descriptors such as silky and polished in terms of feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. The Black Lotus is also described as buttery and mild, offering a gentle and approachable typing sensation.

Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and Durock Black Lotus linear switches comes down to personal preference. Consider whether you prioritize a frictionless glide and subdued sound (Aqua King) or silky smoothness, precision, and reduced wobble (Black Lotus). Whichever switch you choose, both options guarantee an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience overall.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Aqua King (V3) Linear

$7.18

$5.44 per 10

Learn more

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more