Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown. Both switches offer unique features and advantages, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. The Aqua King, classified as a linear switch, is known for its frictionless typing experience. Just like gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink, your fingers effortlessly move across the keys, creating a magical sensation. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is a tactile switch, belonging to Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series. It offers a subtle and delightful tactile sensation, carefully designed to provide a gentle bump that won't interrupt your typing flow. Additionally, with a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown enhances the brightness of your RGB lighting, creating an immersive visual experience. Moreover, it features a medium-high pitch that adds a satisfying auditory feedback while typing. These general pointers provide a glimpse into the advantages of each switch, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown, specifically their polycarbonate top housing, offer similar characteristics. Both switches utilize polycarbonate, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches incorporating RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Aqua King and the G Pro 3.0 Brown provide comparable sound and visual effects due to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, when examining the bottom housings, we can observe a notable distinction between the Aqua King and the G Pro 3.0 Brown. The Aqua King utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. As a result, users can experience the same qualities from the bottom housing when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the G Pro 3.0 Brown employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known to offer a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing.
Considering the impact on sound and feel, the bottom housing plays a more prominent role during the bottom-out experience, while the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, using the Aqua King would mean a consistency in sound and feel due to both top and bottom housings being comprised of polycarbonate. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing introduces a nuanced difference in sound and feel, providing a deeper and fuller bottom-out experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch, we find some similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Aqua King requires a lighter force of 46 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 Brown needs a slightly heavier force of 55 grams. This means that the Aqua King presents a lighter touch when triggering a keystroke compared to the G Pro 3.0 Brown.
Moving on to the bottom out force, both switches have a relatively similar value, with the Aqua King measuring at 62 grams and the G Pro 3.0 Brown at 63 grams. While the difference is minimal, it is safe to say that both switches provide a similar level of resistance when fully pressed down.
In terms of weight, the Aqua King can be considered lighter due to its lower actuation force. This lighter touch can benefit those who prefer extended typing sessions or need a keyboard suitable for long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers a slightly heavier actuation force, which may be favored by individuals seeking a more substantial and tactile typing experience.
Ultimately, both switches fall into the medium force category, but the Aqua King leans towards the lighter side while the G Pro 3.0 Brown exhibits a slightly heavier touch. Depending on individual preference, each switch can provide a distinct typing experience tailored to the user's specific needs.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the G Pro 3.0 Brown, you can expect similar results in terms of the switch's travel distance. Both switches offer a consistent and satisfying key press experience with their equal travel distances.
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 G Pro 3.0 Brown has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Brown for $2.77.
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 can be described as having a subdued sound. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch are unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Aqua King switch provides a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. The switch is known for its smooth and buttery feel, as if gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. This can be attributed to the application of lubricant at the factory and the choice of materials. Overall, typing on the Aqua King switch is a polished and refined experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is described as being easy-to-press and mild. It offers gentle resistance during key presses and requires minimal force to activate. This results in an effortless and comfortable typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch falls into the safe middle-ground zone with approachable qualities for most users. It is worth noting that the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch might have some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving it a stepped feel.
Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience. While the Aqua King provides a frictionless and silky feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers an easy-to-press and low-impact typing feel. The Aqua King switch creates a magical typing experience with its smooth and polished nature, while the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch ensures a delightful tactile sensation without overpowering the typing flow. Unfortunately, information regarding the sound characteristics of the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is not available. However, based on the available information, it is reasonable to expect that the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch delivers a satisfying auditory feedback with a medium-high pitch, adding an extra layer of joy to typing sessions. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches would come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that provides a frictionless and effortless typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With its creamy, silky, and polished feel, you will feel like you are gliding across the keys with ease. Additionally, the Aqua King offers a subdued sound, providing a more subtle and dampened typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that is easy to press and offers a gentle resistance, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch is the better choice. Its easy-to-press and mild characteristics make typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the G Pro Brown offers a medium-high pitch sound and features a frosted light diffuser for enhanced RGB lighting.
Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Aqua King is the way to go. If you prefer a switch with an easy-to-press and gentle feel, the G Pro Brown is the better option. Consider your typing style and preferences to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
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