Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Durock Blue Lotus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Durock Blue Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Blue Lotus are two options that stand out from the rest. The Aqua King is a linear switch that offers a typing experience like no other. It is best known for its incredibly smooth and frictionless feel, akin to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus is a tactile switch that provides a satisfying blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. Its slightly reduced travel distance, as well as its detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, make it a popular choice for those who crave a marked tactile feel. Both switches have their distinct qualities and unique characteristics that appeal to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Blue Lotus differ in their choice of housing materials. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Aqua King creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a unique and premium feel, offering a different tactile experience for users.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Aqua King continues to use polycarbonate, while the Blue Lotus incorporates a nylon bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Aqua King's bottom housing contributes to its sharper and crisper sound profile. Similar to the top housing, the stiffness of polycarbonate allows for a more resonant sound when bottoming out a key. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Lotus elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softness absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This provides users with a distinct typing experience compared to the Aqua King.
While the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Blue Lotus differ in their housing materials, it is worth noting that the chosen materials for both switches contribute to enhancing the sound profiles. Polycarbonate, used in the top and bottom housing of the Aqua King, creates a sharper and crisper sound, ensuring clarity in both key press and release. The modified PC & UPE Blend top housing of the Blue Lotus, on the other hand, offers a premium feel and a tactile experience that sets it apart. Ultimately, whether you prefer the Aqua King's stiffer and more resonant sound or the Blue Lotus's softer and fuller sound, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, there are a few notable differences. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making it a medium-weight option. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy range.
Weight is an important consideration for keyboard enthusiasts, as it can greatly impact typing comfort and experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Aqua King, as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for extended typing sessions with minimal fatigue. This makes it an ideal choice for individuals who use their keyboards extensively at work or during long gaming sessions.
On the contrary, the Blue Lotus offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. The slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces provide a sense of stability and precision, making it a popular choice for users who appreciate a tactile feedback and prefer a more pronounced keystroke.
Although the Aqua King and Blue Lotus differ in their actuation and bottom out forces, both switches fall within the medium-weight range. Therefore, if a user desires similar results in terms of typing experience, they can expect comparable performance from both switches. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on the individual's personal preference for a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, we can see that the Aqua King has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Blue Lotus has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with the Aqua King switch, you will feel a slightly greater distance compared to the Blue Lotus. Both of these travel distances fall within the traditional range, with 4.0 mm being the more common distance. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have become popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, then the Blue Lotus with its shorter travel distance would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, and if you prefer a deeper typing experience, then the Aqua King with its longer travel distance may be the more suitable option. Regardless of which switch you choose, both options will provide satisfactory results in terms of travel distance.
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 Durock Blue Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Lotus for $4.57.
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 linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King is best known for its frictionless feel, providing a typing experience that resembles gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switches deliver a marked tactile feel, offering a blend of intensity and swift responsiveness.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King switch produces a subdued sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switches offer a bassy sound profile with deeper and richer tones resembling bass frequencies. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen for the setup.
When considering the feel of the switches, the Aqua King provides a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. These descriptors highlight the smooth and refined feel of the switch, enhancing the overall typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switches are described as accented, snappy, and stepped. These descriptors indicate that the Blue Lotus switches offer a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming, along with a super responsive and mildly tactile keystroke experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King provides a frictionless feel and subdued sound, while the Blue Lotus offers a marked tactile experience and bassy sound. Depending on your personal preferences, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience. If you enjoy a smooth and frictionless typing feel, the Aqua King will be a great choice. If you prefer a tactile switch with a responsive feel, the Blue Lotus will suit your preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium bottom out force, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the one for you. These switches offer a magical and effortless typing feel, as if you were gliding your fingers across a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. They are described as subdued in sound, providing a more subtle and dampened sound signature compared to most switches. Additionally, their creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel enhances the overall smoothness and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is your best choice. These switches deliver a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. Their snappiness, aided by their slightly reduced travel, makes them perfect for those who enjoy a marked tactile feel. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant, glowy RGB illumination, combining performance with captivating visual appeal. They are described as having a bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. In terms of feel, they are accented, snappy, and stepped, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle.
Ultimately, your choice between the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch depends on your preferences for bottom out force, typing feel, sound, and visual appeal. Consider the characteristics and descriptions provided to make an informed decision and choose the switch that best suits your needs and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
