Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 White
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King and Gateron G Pro 3.0 White are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics. The Aqua King, a linear switch, is best known for its frictionless feel, akin to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. Typing on these switches is truly magical, as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 White, also a linear switch, stands out for its budget-friendly nature and delicate typing experience. With an incredibly light actuation force of only 38g, it ensures effortless and sensitive keystrokes. Additionally, the G Pro White boasts a frosted light diffuser for brighter RGB lighting and a medium-high pitch that provides satisfying auditory feedback. Both switches offer a creamy and silky feel, but the Aqua King presents as more subdued and polished, while the G Pro White leans towards being clacky and easy-to-press. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
38g
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
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White both utilize polycarbonate in their top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. Additionally, polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual appeal when using either the Aqua King or the G Pro 3.0 White.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Aqua King employs polycarbonate while the G Pro 3.0 White utilizes nylon. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile similar to that of the top housing. This material's stiffness also affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing in the G Pro 3.0 White elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, it creates a duller and rounder sound experience. Therefore, users can expect different sound characteristics and tactile feedback when comparing the bottom housing of the Aqua King to that of the G Pro 3.0 White.
In terms of impact on sound, the top housing of both switches will have a significant influence on the sound when releasing a key. Since they both utilize polycarbonate, users can expect similar sound characteristics in this regard. On the other hand, the bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. This means that the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing and the G Pro 3.0 White's nylon bottom housing will offer distinct tactile feedback and sound profiles during typing. As such, users can expect variations in typing experience depending on the switch they choose.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch, we can notice some differences. The Aqua King has a slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams compared to the G Pro 3.0 White, which requires only 38 grams of force for actuation. This means that the G Pro 3.0 White switch is lighter and requires less force to register a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force, while the G Pro 3.0 White requires 45 grams. Once again, the Aqua King is heavier in this aspect as well. This implies that typing on the Aqua King switch will provide a more substantial typing experience, with a stronger push feel compared to the G Pro 3.0 White, which will feel lighter and more effortless. However, both switches fall within the medium range when considering actuation force, and the differences may not be very noticeable for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences, with some preferring the lighter feel of the G Pro 3.0 White for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Aqua King for a more satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. The travel distance of both switches ensures a consistent typing experience, allowing for smooth key presses and quick response times. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the G Pro 3.0 White, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 White 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 White 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Aqua King is known for its subdued sound. While it's not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White has three different sound profiles. It can be described as clacky, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. It also has a neutral sound profile, suitable for most purposes, and a subdued sound profile, offering a dampened sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you choose. Based on this information, if you're aiming for a more subdued sound, both switches would provide similar results.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Aqua King is described as having a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. It offers a smooth and buttery feel, gliding effortlessly like ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice rink. It minimizes resistance and provides fluid key travel, resulting in a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White also offers a creamy and silky typing experience, where your fingers effortlessly melt into each keystroke. Additionally, it is described as easy-to-press, providing gentle resistance during key presses and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It is also feathery and mild, requiring little exertion and offering a low-impact typing feel. Both switches aim to provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 White offering a slightly lighter actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference in terms of the level of resistance and ease of typing.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switches offer a smooth and pleasant typing experience. In terms of sound, the Aqua King provides a more subdued sound while the G Pro 3.0 White offers a range of sound profiles including clacky, neutral, and subdued. In terms of feel, both switches offer a creamy and silky typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 White being slightly easier to press. Overall, while there are some differences in sound and feel, both switches aim to provide a high-quality typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and actuation force, either switch would be a great choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a medium bottom out force and a frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the right choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a balanced actuation force that provides a satisfying typing feel. The Aqua King is best known for its smooth and effortless typing experience, as if you're gliding your fingers across the keys. Additionally, it offers a subdued sound profile, making it suitable for shared spaces.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a budget-friendly option, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch would be the ideal selection. With a bottom out force of only 45 grams, these switches provide an incredibly light actuation force, ensuring effortless and sensitive keystrokes. The G Pro 3.0 White also offers a frosted light diffuser for brighter RGB lighting and a medium-high pitch for satisfying auditory feedback. It is best suited for delicate typists who value a low-impact and responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Aqua King and Gateron G Pro 3.0 White comes down to personal preference and priorities. If you prioritize a medium bottom out force and a frictionless typing experience, the Aqua King is the way to go. However, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a budget-friendly option, the G Pro 3.0 White is the better choice. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and budget to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard needs.
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