Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Are you in search of the perfect mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing or gaming needs? Look no further! Two popular options to consider are the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver. The Aqua King switch is highly regarded for its unique typing experience, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys like ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. With its subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished characteristics, it promises a magical typing feel. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Silver switch from Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro lineup is a gamer's dream come true. These switches bring exceptional value to the table, offering lightning-fast responsiveness with their shorter travel distance of 3.4mm. With vibrant RGB lighting and a medium-high pitch that adds an exhilarating auditory element, this switch enhances your gaming setup while still being gentle on your wallet. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
22mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting. So, in terms of sound and visual aesthetics, these switches will provide similar results. However, it is worth noting that the Aqua King's top housing is specifically mentioned to create a more clear and resonant sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Aqua King continues to utilize polycarbonate, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver opts for a nylon bottom housing. Here, we see a clear contrast in the sound profiles these materials create. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Silver's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, being a relatively softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if you prioritize a deeper sound with a fuller resonance, the G Pro 3.0 Silver may be the better choice.
When it comes to the impact on sound and feel while typing, the bottom and top housings play different roles. The bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, which is the sensation you experience when fully pressing down a key. So, the choice between the Aqua King and the G Pro 3.0 Silver's bottom housing materials, polycarbonate and nylon respectively, will affect this aspect of the typing experience. Meanwhile, the top housing primarily affects the sound produced when releasing a key. Thus, the differences between the top housings of these switches may be more noticeable when you let go of the keys.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Aqua King requires 46 grams of force, slightly heavier than the G Pro 3.0 Silver's 45 grams. Both switches fall in the medium to light range, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience.
However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Aqua King has a heavier requirement of 62 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver is comparatively lighter at 50 grams. This indicates that the Aqua King delivers a more substantial typing experience, with a stronger push feel when fully pressed. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Silver offers a slightly gentler bottom out force, which may be preferable for those who value longer typing sessions without excessive fatigue.
Considering weight is indeed important, as it directly influences the overall typing experience. For individuals seeking a lighter switch, both the Aqua King and G Pro 3.0 Silver offer similar results, with the slight difference in actuation force being barely noticeable. However, those who prefer a more forceful keystroke and a sense of tactile feedback might lean towards the Aqua King due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key attached to either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results.
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 Silver has an MSRP of $3.40 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Silver for $3.27.
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 best described as having a subdued sound. These switches produce a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch is characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone. It offers a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the G Pro Silver switches are low-pitched and can be considered thocky, producing a satisfying and deep sound when pressed and released. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Ultimately, if you're aiming for a more subdued and subtle sound, the Aqua King would be a suitable option, while the G Pro Silver switches would provide a deeper and more bass-heavy auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a typing experience that is best described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These switches provide a smooth and buttery feel, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The Aqua King is known for its frictionless nature, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. The switch provides a fluid travel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. Furthermore, the Aqua King is observed to have a polished and refined finish, resulting in a sleek and satisfying typing experience. Similarly, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch is also described as having a buttery and creamy feel. These switches offer a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Like the Aqua King, the G Pro Silver switches offer a silky typing experience akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. With both switches providing a creamy and buttery feel, newcomers can expect a smooth and enjoyable typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch offer subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. The Aqua King focuses on providing a frictionless and polished typing experience, where your fingers simply glide effortlessly across the keys. It offers a subdued sound, bringing a more subtle and dampened auditory experience to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the G Pro Silver switches prioritize gaming performance and responsiveness with a shorter travel distance, giving a lightning-fast and competitive advantage. It delivers a bass-heavy and thocky sound profile, enhancing the auditory element of gaming. While both switches provide a creamy and buttery feel, newcomers can expect a similar level of smoothness and satisfaction from either option. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver will depend on personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and whether gaming or typing is the primary focus.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium bottom out force and a frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. These switches offer a magical and effortless typing sensation, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. On the other hand, if you prioritize a lighter bottom out force and lightning-fast responsiveness for gaming, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch is the better choice. With its shorter travel distance and exceptional value, these switches provide an unmatched gaming experience and a competitive advantage. In terms of sound, the Aqua King offers a more subdued and subtle sound signature, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver provides a deeper and richer sound profile, with elements of bass and a satisfying thocky sound. When it comes to feel, the Aqua King is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Silver, on the other hand, is known for its buttery and creamy feel, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your specific preferences and needs, whether you prioritize typing comfort or gaming performance.
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