Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. HC Studio Crabapple
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HC Studio Crabapple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and HC Studio Crabapple are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that boast a smooth and frictionless typing experience. The Aqua King is known for its polished and creamy feel, likened to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice, while the Crabapple, crafted from POM, offers a dry smoothness with a subtle texture on each keystroke. The Aqua King is described as subdued and silky, while the Crabapple is characterized as mild and textured. Both switches provide a unique typing experience with minimal friction, but the Aqua King leans towards a smoother feel while the Crabapple offers a bit more texture. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HC Studio Crabapple, it is clear that they use different materials for both the top and bottom housings. The Aqua King (V3) utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is clear and resonant. On the other hand, the Crabapple uses POM for both the top and bottom, creating a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This difference in housing materials leads to a distinct sound experience for each switch, catering to different preferences in terms of sound profile.
While both the Aqua King (V3) and the Crabapple have unique sound profiles due to their housing materials, they also share similarities in terms of aesthetics when it comes to the top housing. Both switches feature a clear top housing, with the Aqua King (V3) using polycarbonate and the Crabapple using POM. This allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the switches. However, the difference in sound profile between the polycarbonate and POM materials means that each switch will offer a slightly different typing experience.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HC Studio Crabapple will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. The polycarbonate housing of the Aqua King (V3) provides a sharper, crisper sound, while the POM housing of the Crabapple creates a deeper, more muted sound. Both switches offer unique typing experiences due to their housing materials, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their preferences for sound and aesthetics.
Weight
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams compared to the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch with an actuation force of 37 grams, making the Aqua King (V3) slightly more resistant to accidental keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Aqua King (V3) requires 62 grams to fully press a key, while the Crabapple only needs 45 grams, making it a lighter option. These differences in force can impact typing and gaming experiences. Those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Aqua King (V3), while those who prioritize lighter keypresses for extended use may lean towards the Crabapple. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a traditional distance. On the other hand, the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Gamers may prefer the Crabapple for its quicker response time due to the shorter distance, while those who prefer a more substantial feel may opt for the Aqua King with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
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 HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
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, both the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HC Studio Crabapple linear switches are described as producing a subdued sound when pressed. This means that while they are not completely silent, their sound signatures are more subtle compared to most switches. The actual sound you experience will also depend on other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel, the Aqua King (V3) is praised for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless feel with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Crabapple switch is known for its frictionless and mild qualities, providing a gentle typing experience with a subtle texture felt during each key press. Both switches aim to offer a seamless and comfortable typing experience, albeit with slightly varying characteristics in terms of feel.
Overall, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and HC Studio Crabapple linear switches may have slight differences in their subjective qualities, they both prioritize providing a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Whether you choose the Aqua King (V3) for its creamy and polished feel or the Crabapple for its mild and textured attributes, you can expect to achieve similar results in terms of overall typing satisfaction with either of these high-quality linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and HC Studio Crabapple linear switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a buttery, frictionless feel that mimics ice skating on smooth ice, the Aqua King (V3) with its medium bottom out force of 62 grams might be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light touch with a dry, smooth texture and a mild sound signature, the HC Studio Crabapple with its lighter bottom out force of 45 grams crafted entirely from POM could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound, so choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style.
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