Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Aflion Blush
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Aflion Blush switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Aqua King and the Aflion Blush, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless and silky typing experience, reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. Its subdued and creamy feel, along with its polished texture, make it an attractive choice for those seeking a smooth and seamless typing experience. On the other hand, the Blush stands out due to its impressive smoothness and snappy type feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. Additionally, its long pole results in a distinctive poppy sound signature. With its low-pitched and buttery characteristics, the Blush offers a delightfully creamy typing experience. However, let's now delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Aflion Blush both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches have a translucent top housing, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. As a result, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and aesthetics when comparing the top housings of the Aqua King and the Blush.
However, the two switches differ in terms of their bottom housings. The Aqua King utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which has similar properties to its top housing. This means that the overall sound profile of the Aqua King will be consistent throughout, both when pressing down on a key and when releasing it. On the other hand, the Blush features a nylon bottom housing, which offers a distinct typing experience. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, users can expect a slightly different sound when bottoming out the keys on the Blush compared to the Aqua King.
In summary, both the Everglide Aqua King and the Aflion Blush utilize polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, the Aqua King also incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Blush utilizes a nylon bottom housing. This difference in material leads to a variation in sound when pressing down on the switches, with the Aqua King maintaining a consistent sound profile and the Blush offering a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the specific sound preferences of the user.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Aflion Blush linear switch, it is apparent that both switches fall into the medium weight category. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, which provides a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Blush's actuation force is unknown, leaving it unclear how it compares in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, its bottom out force of 58 grams is slightly lighter than the Aqua King.
In terms of weight preferences, those who enjoy a lighter typing experience may appreciate the Aqua King switch more, as its lower bottom out force allows for easier keystrokes and potentially longer typing sessions. This makes it suitable for individuals who use their keyboard extensively at work or engage in extended gaming sessions. However, for users who desire a more substantial typing feel and a stronger push, the Blush switch can provide a slightly heavier sensation due to its higher bottom out force.
While the actuation force of the Blush switch remains unknown, it is possible that it may offer similar results to the Aqua King if it has a comparable actuation force. Both switches being categorized as medium weight suggests that they may elicit similar typing experiences despite the slight difference in bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on an individual's preference for a lighter or heavier feel while typing or gaming.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is 4.0mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Aflion Blush linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3mm. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, so the Blush switch would be a better choice in that regard. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a deeper feeling when pressing down on a key. In that case, the Aqua King switch with its longer travel distance would be the preferred option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and desired responsiveness.
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 Aflion Blush has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blush for $4.07.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Aqua King switch is best described as a subdued switch. When pressed, it produces a dampened sound that is not completely silent, but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Aflion Blush switch is characterized as low-pitched, which means it features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps. Therefore, depending on the setup, both switches can provide similar results in terms of sound quality.
Moving on to the feel, both the Aqua King and the Blush switches share some common descriptors. They are both described as creamy switches, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This is often attributed to the application of lubricant at the factory or specific materials used in the switch construction. When typing on these switches, you can expect a silky sensation, as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, making each keystroke feel seamless. Additionally, both switches are also described as silky, meaning they provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Overall, the feel of these switches is characterized by reduced friction, smooth key travel, and a polished finish. Consequently, users can expect a similar level of typing comfort and smoothness from both the Aqua King and the Blush switches.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and the Aflion Blush switches have certain similarities and differences in terms of sound and feel. In terms of sound, the Aqua King offers a more subdued and dampened sound, while the Blush provides a low-pitched, bass-heavy tone. However, the specific sound experienced will depend on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps. When it comes to feel, both switches share descriptors such as creamy and silky, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. They both minimize resistance and friction, offering a polished and refined typing feel. Therefore, while there may be some nuanced distinctions between the two switches, overall, users can expect a comparable level of sound and feel from both the Everglide Aqua King and the Aflion Blush switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for an incredibly smooth typing experience with a magical glide, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With its frictionless and creamy feel, typing on these switches will feel like effortlessly skating on freshly resurfaced ice. Additionally, the Aqua King offers a subdued sound signature, providing a more subtle and dampened typing sound compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if you are seeking a linear switch that offers a full and snappy typing feel, the Aflion Blush linear switch is the better choice. With its longer, two-stage spring and poppy sound signature, these switches offer an impressively smooth and satisfying typing experience. The Blush switch also possesses a creamy and silky feel, similar to the Aqua King, ensuring a smooth and buttery typing sensation.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King provides a subdued sound when pressed, while the Blush features a low-pitched, bass-heavy, and mellow tone. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance your typing experience depending on your preference.
Overall, both switches offer creamy and silky typing experiences, making them suitable for those seeking seamless and effortless keystrokes. However, if you prioritize a smoother glide and a dampened sound, the Aqua King is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you value a full and snappy typing feel with a low-pitched sound, the Blush is the way to go. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound signature.
Mentioned in this article
