Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 28g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g stand out as two appealing options for enthusiasts seeking a smooth typing experience. The Aqua King (V3) is renowned for its frictionless feel, offering a heavenly typing sensation that resembles ice skating on freshly resurfaced ice. This switch is characterized by its subdued, creamy, and silky texture, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a polished and comfortable keystroke. On the other hand, the Chiikawa - 28g captivates users with its remarkably light actuation force and a bright, crisp sound profile, making each keystroke feel responsive and lively. This switch is perfect for typists who value auditory feedback and an engaging typing environment. Each switch brings its unique qualities to the table, catering to different preferences in typing feel and sound dynamics. 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
28g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
34g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Y3X
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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which results in a similar auditory experience characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The inherent stiffness of polycarbonate allows for a more resonant sound, enhancing the overall clarity and providing a vibrant aesthetic, especially when RGB lighting is involved. Both switches are designed with translucency in mind, maximizing the visual appeal of backlighting and ensuring that users can enjoy not only responsive keystrokes but also a stunning light display.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the two switches diverge significantly. The Aqua King (V3) continues the trend of polycarbonate, maintaining the high-pitched characteristics throughout the switch. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 28g opts for a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in materials means that the Aqua King retains its crisper sound from top to bottom, while the Chiikawa offers a rounder sound due to nylon’s ability to absorb more vibration. Consequently, the typing experience on these switches will feel distinctly different, especially in terms of auditory feedback when bottoming out.
Ultimately, while the top housings of both switches are the same, creating a similar sound profile in that aspect, the variation in the bottom housing will lead to contrasting experiences in tactile feedback and sound. Users of the Aqua King will appreciate the consistent crispness, while those opting for the Chiikawa will enjoy a more muted, richer aural experience. Therefore, the tactile and auditory nuances of each switch emerge from the combination of the specific materials used, leading to an engaging and diverse typing experience regardless of the commonality in their top housing.
Weight
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switches present distinct experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King has a notable actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, which positions it in the medium range for typing feedback. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 28g is significantly lighter, with an actuation force of just 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams. This means that typists looking for a lighter feel for extended typing sessions may find the Chiikawa more appealing. Conversely, the Aqua King provides a heavier push, offering a more substantial typing experience favored by those who prefer feedback during use. Overall, while both switches serve different preferences, the Aqua King is the heavier option, designed for those who enjoy a firmer tactile response, whereas the lighter Chiikawa caters to users seeking comfort and ease during prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch, the Aqua King stands out with a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Chiikawa offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference highlights a key distinction: the Aqua King provides a more profound keypress experience, which may be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback. Conversely, the Chiikawa's shorter travel distance caters to those seeking quicker actuation and faster response times, which can be advantageous in gaming scenarios. Thus, if you're inclined towards a more traditional feel with a hearty depth, the Aqua King is the suitable choice. However, if speed and responsiveness are your priorities, the Chiikawa is the better option, allowing for quicker key presses and potentially enhanced gaming performance.
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 Chiikawa - 28g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 28g for $3.29.
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 Everglide Aqua King (V3) is identified as having a subdued profile, producing a dampened sound upon activation. This characteristic creates a typing experience that is not entirely silent but offers a more understated auditory feedback compared to many other switches on the market. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g boasts a bright sound profile, delivering a crisp and high-pitched noise when engaged. This difference in sound quality between the two switches leads to distinct auditory experiences; while the Aqua King is more subtle, the Chiikawa provides a lively and responsive auditory feedback, making each keystroke feel more pronounced.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King (V3) excels with a range of descriptors including creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These terms collectively convey an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. The switches have a finely tuned design that minimizes resistance, allowing fingers to glide seamlessly across the keycaps. The typing sensation resembles the feeling of ice skating on pristine ice, offering a fluid, luxurious experience. The Chiikawa - 28g, however, does not have specific descriptors available for its feel, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. Nevertheless, its light actuation force suggests a responsive typing experience, although the nuanced sensation of its switch remains unknown.
In summary, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) presents a subdued sound profile complemented by a wonderfully smooth and frictionless feel, creating an elegant typing experience. Meanwhile, the Chiikawa - 28g offers brighter sounds and a notably lighter actuation force, contributing to a more vivid and responsive typing experience. While both switches promise engaging interactions, their distinct sound and feel characteristics cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you seek a medium resistance switch that delivers an exceptionally smooth and luxurious typing experience, the Aqua King (V3) with its frictionless feel and subdued sound profile is an excellent choice. It's particularly suitable for long typing sessions, as its creamy and polished characteristics provide comfort without tiring your fingers, making it a reliable option for both gaming and professional work. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch and enjoy an energetic typing experience with a brighter sound, the Chiikawa - 28g linear switch may be more aligned with your style. Its lighter actuation force and crisp sound can invigorate your typing, enhancing your productivity with its responsiveness. Therefore, consider what aspects of a switch resonate most with you—whether it’s a smooth, heavier experience or a light, lively feel—to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard journey.
Mentioned in this article
