Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Grapefruit
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Grapefruit switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Grapefruit. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is best known for its frictionless feel. Typing on these switches feels similar to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink - your fingers simply glide effortlessly, creating a magical typing experience. The Aqua King is categorized as 'Subdued', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Silky', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Grapefruit is also a linear switch that offers a unique typing experience. These switches have a soft and light feel, accompanied by a distinctive "baritone" sound profile. The Grapefruit is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Polished'. While both switches offer their own advantages, it's important to delve deeper into their specifics to determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Grapefruit both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in switches. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for users who prioritize auditory feedback. Additionally, its translucency is advantageous for those who wish to utilize RGB lighting in their keyboards. Therefore, both the Aqua King and the Grapefruit can be expected to deliver similar results in terms of sound quality and RGB compatibility due to their shared polycarbonate top housings.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Aqua King utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Grapefruit opts for nylon. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile. On the other hand, nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, when pressing down on a switch, the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing will elicit a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing will create a dully and rounder sound. This distinction in the bottom-out sound and feel adds a unique tactile aspect to the typing experience for each switch.
Furthermore, the choice of housing materials also impacts the sound when letting go of a key. As the top housing has more influence on the sound during key release, the Aqua King and the Grapefruit, with their polycarbonate top housings, will deliver similar results in this aspect. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a sharper sound when keys are released. Therefore, both switches will produce a consistent sound upon key release, contributing to a cohesive auditory experience for users.
In summary, while the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Grapefruit share polycarbonate top housings, they diverge in their bottom housing materials. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound, while the Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches will provide consistent sound profiles upon key release due to their shared polycarbonate top housings. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the user's preferences for the bottom-out and release sounds, as well as the desired overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, there are a few key differences to consider. Firstly, the Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, slightly heavier than the Grapefruit's 45 grams. This means that the Aqua King requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Aqua King is 62 grams, while the Grapefruit has a bottom out force of 53 grams. This indicates that the Aqua King has a more substantial typing experience, as it requires a greater force to fully press the keys down. However, it is important to note that both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Grapefruit may be the better option. Its slightly lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for longer periods of comfortable typing. This is especially beneficial for individuals who use their keyboards for extended periods of time, such as during work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, if a user prefers a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Aqua King would be the suitable choice. The heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Aqua King provide a satisfying tactile feedback that some users may find preferable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Grapefruit linear switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. The similarity in travel distance ensures that users will achieve consistent typing or gaming results with both switches.
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 KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.
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
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. In terms of sound, the Aqua King switch offers a subdued sound profile. While it is not completely silent, it produces a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Grapefruit switch has a low-pitched sound profile. It features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the Grapefruit switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. It is worth noting that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Aqua King switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel. These qualities contribute to a smooth and buttery typing experience. The switch offers a fluid travel and minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Similarly, the Grapefruit switch is described as having a polished feel, resulting in a sleek typing experience. It also offers reduced friction and smooth key travel. Therefore, both switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aqua King and Grapefruit switches have their own unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King switch offers a subdued sound with its dampened and subtle profile, while the Grapefruit switch has a low-pitched sound with a more bass-heavy tone. In terms of feel, both switches offer a creamy and polished experience, resulting in smooth and effortless typing. While they have some similarities, such as the polished feel, they also have their distinctive qualities. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium force linear switch that offers a truly frictionless typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King switch may be the right choice for you. The Aqua King switches provide a creamy, frictionless, and silky feel when typing, allowing for effortless keystrokes that feel like gliding your fingers across the keys. Additionally, these switches have a subdued sound profile, offering a more subtle and dampened sound when pressing the keys.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lighter switch with a unique and special typing experience, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch might be the better option. With a bottom out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a soft and light typing feel. They are polished, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Grapefruit switches also have a low-pitched sound profile, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
Ultimately, the choice between Everglide Aqua King and KTT Grapefruit switches depends on your personal preferences. If you value a truly frictionless typing experience with a medium force, along with a subdued sound, the Aqua King switches are an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a unique and special typing feel, along with a low-pitched sound, the Grapefruit switches may be more suitable for you. Whichever switch you choose, both options offer their own distinct advantages and can enhance your overall typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
