Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron CJ
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron CJ switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron CJ are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct qualities for typing enthusiasts. The Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless experience, akin to effortlessly gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. With its subtle, creamy, and silky feel, this linear switch offers a polished typing experience that is hard to rival. On the other hand, the CJ presents a unique take on linear switches, providing higher-pitched clacks and an astonishingly smooth push feel. Its chirpy, neutral character and low-pitched thocky sound create an enjoyable typing experience. While these general descriptions give a glimpse into the characteristics of both switches, it's essential to delve deeper to determine the ideal switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron CJ have different housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the CJ utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both materials result in distinct sounds, they have different qualities in terms of sharpness and pitch.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Aqua King again utilizes polycarbonate, resulting in a sharp and high-pitched sound. As with the top housing, the stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. The translucent quality of the material is once again advantageous for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the CJ employs a POM bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This unique sound profile adds to the overall experience of using the CJ switch.
While the top and bottom housings differ between the Aqua King and the CJ, they both contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. In contrast, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when the key is released. Both switches offer their own combination of qualities, allowing users to choose based on their preference for sharpness, pitch, and overall sound profile.
Overall, the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron CJ play a significant role in determining the sound profiles of these switches. The polycarbonate housing in the Aqua King contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while the proprietary INK blend and POM housings in the CJ result in a clacky sound and a deeper, more muted sound, respectively. However, despite their differences, both switches offer distinct and satisfying sound profiles based on the housing materials used.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron CJ linear switch, we find that they both fall within the medium force category. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the CJ has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches require a similar amount of force to trigger a keystroke, with the CJ being slightly heavier in terms of actuation force. When it comes to bottoming out, the Aqua King requires a slightly higher force compared to the CJ.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch like the Aqua King, as it enables them to type for longer periods without much strain. This makes it a suitable option for those who use their keyboards extensively at work or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the CJ, which has a slightly heavier actuation force. This provides a stronger push feel, giving a more satisfying typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches offer a comparable typing experience, albeit with slight variations in force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron CJ linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. This similarity ensures that whether you choose the Aqua King or the CJ, you can expect similar results in terms of the feeling and experience of pressing down on the keys. Both switches offer a standard travel distance, providing a comfortable and familiar typing experience.
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 Gateron CJ has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CJ for $5.35.
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 linear switch is known for its subdued sound. When pressed, these switches produce a dampened sound that is not completely silent, but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron CJ linear switch has multiple sound descriptors. It is described as chirpy, meaning it has a little squeak to it, which sets it apart from other switches. It is also described as having a moderate sound profile, referred to as neutral, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the CJ switch has a low-pitched sound profile, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Finally, it is described as thocky, meaning it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is known for its frictionless and creamy typing experience. These switches offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. They have a fluid travel, which gives the sensation of gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The Gateron CJ linear switch, on the other hand, is described as mild. This means it offers a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The CJ switch provides a safe, middle-ground typing feel that is approachable to most users.
Based on the available information, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a magical typing experience with its frictionless and creamy feel, while the Gateron CJ linear switch presents a unique and enjoyable presentation of a linear switch with its mild feel. In terms of sound, the Aqua King switch offers a subdued experience, while the CJ switch has multiple descriptors such as chirpy, neutral, low-pitched, and thocky. Therefore, while the subjective qualities of the Aqua King and CJ switches differ in terms of sound and feel, both switches provide their own distinctive and enjoyable typing experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch that offers a frictionless and magical typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the one for you. With its bottom out force of 62 grams and features like creaminess, frictionlessness, and silkiness, typing on these switches will feel like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique and enjoyable presentation of a linear switch, with higher-pitched clacks and a smooth push feel, then the Gateron CJ linear switch is the better choice. With a bottom out force of 60 grams and a mild typing experience, these switches offer a safe and approachable option. In terms of sound, the Aqua King provides a more subdued and subtle sound signature, while the CJ offers a chirpy and unique acoustic signature. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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