Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron Glory Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Glory Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Glory Red stand out as popular linear options that cater to different preferences. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its frictionless typing experience that evokes the sensation of ice skating, combining a subdued and creamy feel that allows fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. This switch aims for a magical typing experience, making it a fantastic choice for typists who prioritize smoothness and a polished sensation. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red offers a lighter touch with a smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance, appealing to those who enjoy a pleasant and responsive typing experience. While both switches provide characteristics that enhance typing enjoyment, they do cater to slightly different tactile preferences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Nylon
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Glory Red switches feature distinctly different materials in their housing constructions, resulting in contrasting sound profiles during typing. The Aqua King (V3) utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This material is characterized by its stiffness, which produces a sharper and more resonant sound that many typists find appealing. The clear nature of polycarbonate also enhances the visual appeal when utilized with RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination to shine through. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Red employs nylon in both its top and bottom housings. Known for its softer characteristics, nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller auditory experience that creates a muted, rounder sound profile. This fundamental difference in material results in a stark contrast in typing experience, where Aqua King (V3) leans towards a crisp sound, whereas the Glory Red provides a warmer auditory feedback.
Moreover, the overall sound characteristics of the switches are influenced by how the different housing materials interact with the mechanics of the switch. The Aqua King (V3)'s use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom contributes to a cohesive sound that emphasizes clarity and precision throughout the key press. When typing on these switches, users can expect a consistent sharpness as they bottom out and release the keys. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red's nylon housings create a broader and fuller sound profile, which is emphasized particularly on key release. As users type, the softer materials of the Glory Red absorb vibrations and sound waves, contributing to a unique auditory sensation that differs significantly from the crispness of polycarbonate.
Despite these differences, both switches can accomplish satisfactory results based on user preference in terms of sound profiles. While one may prefer the clear, bright sounds of the Aqua King (V3), others might be drawn to the deep, rich tones offered by the Gateron Glory Red. Ultimately, the choice between them offers an engaging exploration of tactile and auditory responses in mechanical keyboards, allowing users to tailor their typing experience to their specific tastes. If one is equipped with sound dampening or additional modifications, even the characteristics of the softer nylon in the Glory Red could be further nuanced to achieve a distinct yet satisfying typing experience, similar to what polycarbonate housing delivers.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch to the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, the differences in actuation force create a notable distinction in user experience. The Aqua King (V3) requires an actuation force of 46 grams and has a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a medium feel that offers some resistance without being overly heavy. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Red has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to press and potentially better for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Glory Red switch is unknown, which leaves some uncertainty about how it performs when pressed all the way down. Given that the Aqua King (V3) offers a heavier feel when bottoming out, it caters to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, while the lighter actuation force of the Glory Red may appeal to users seeking a less taxing keyboard feel. Overall, the Aqua King (V3) is the heavier option in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Glory Red is lighter, but further details on its bottom out force would be needed for a complete comparison.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Aqua King (V3) has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Glory Red measures 3.6 mm. This means that the Aqua King offers a longer travel distance, appealing to those who appreciate a more pronounced keypress and a traditional feel, while the Glory Red, with its shorter 3.6 mm travel, caters to gamers and those who favor quicker, more responsive keystrokes. For users looking for a balance of depth and speed, the Aqua King might be more suitable, whereas the Glory Red is ideal for those who prefer direct and swift key actions.
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 Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
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 (V3) features a subdued auditory profile, producing a dampened sound when pressed. While it isn't completely silent, its subtle sound signature ensures a less intrusive typing experience compared to many other mechanical switches. The Gateron Glory Red's sound characteristics are unknown, but it’s important to remember that sound can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard build and keycap material. Therefore, if seeking a quieter switch experience, the Aqua King (V3) stands out with its more muted acoustic output.
When it comes to feel, the Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its frictionless and creamy typing experience, providing users with a buttery smoothness that resembles gliding on ice. The polished design, likely enhanced by factory lubrication, minimizes resistance while typing, resulting in effortless keystrokes. This switch evokes a sensation of silky fluidity, making each keystroke feel incredibly refined and pleasant. Unfortunately, specific attributes of the Glory Red's feel are not provided, so a direct comparison in this area remains elusive. However, the Aqua King clearly offers a superior tactile experience that many users may find appealing.
In summary, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) distinguishes itself with a subdued sound profile and a uniquely enjoyable typing feel characterized by creaminess, slickness, and resistance-free travel. Meanwhile, while the Gateron Glory Red's sound and feel traits remain unspecified, the Aqua King's well-documented qualities suggest it would deliver an admirable typing experience. Newcomers to mechanical keyboards seeking a smooth and muted typing experience may lean towards the Aqua King (V3) for its superior tactile and acoustic qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Glory Red linear switches, your preferences and typing style will be key factors. If you prioritize a luxurious typing experience that feels smooth and effortless, the Aqua King (V3) is the clear choice. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams offers a balanced resistance that suits a variety of typing styles, while its creamy, frictionless, and silky feel allows your fingers to glide across the keys with ease—ideal for long typing sessions or if you enjoy a more refined touch. Additionally, the subdued sound profile makes it a great option for quieter environments where noise may be an issue. Conversely, if you're looking for a lighter switch that still provides a smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance, the Gateron Glory Red might be the better fit. While the exact bottom-out force is unknown, it is generally acknowledged to be lighter than the Aqua King, making it suitable for those who prefer quick and less forceful presses, potentially benefiting gamers or rapid typists who favor speed. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you seek the plush, silky indulgence of the Aqua King or the lighter, equally smooth operation of the Glory Red.
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