Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. HMX Gravel
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Gravel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Gravel present two appealing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear switch experience. The Aqua King (V3) is renowned for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice—an experience that aficionados describe as subdued, creamy, and polished. This makes it an excellent choice for typists who value a smooth, effortless touch with a silky action, perfect for those long typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel stands out for its refined smoothness and a medium-light actuation force that leans slightly lighter, providing a responsive yet easy-going typing experience. This combination caters well to users seeking a balance between tactile feedback and ease of use. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, making them solid choices for distinct user needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right 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
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) with the HMX Gravel, one of the most notable similarities lies in their top housings, both made from polycarbonate. The choice of polycarbonate material is crucial, as it contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant output. Additionally, both switches benefit aesthetically from the translucency of polycarbonate, particularly for users who wish to showcase RGB lighting effects, ensuring that both models deliver a visually appealing experience along with their performance features. Consequently, users can expect a consistent sound quality from both switches when it comes to the upper half of their design.
In contrast, the bottom housing materials diverge significantly between the two models, affecting the overall acoustic character of each switch. The Aqua King (V3) utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which continues the trend set by its top counterpart by maintaining a sharper sound profile. This consistent use of polycarbonate across both ends of the Aqua King (V3) ensures that its tonal characteristics remain more cohesive, resulting in a crisp and resonant sound during both key presses and releases. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel features a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature. This difference implies that the Gravel's bottom-out sound will have a rounder, more subdued quality compared to the other switch, making it more suited for those who prefer a smoother auditory experience.
Ultimately, the differences in housing materials lead to distinct acoustic properties for the Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Gravel. While the Aqua King (V3) provides a clear and resonant sound profile through the use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housings, the HMX Gravel achieves a richer, more rounded tone due to its nylon bottom housing. Users may gravitate toward the Gravel if they prefer a fuller sound upon bottoming out, while the Aqua King (V3) may appeal more to those seeking sharpness and clarity. Thus, while both switches can deliver high-quality results in terms of sound and aesthetics, their unique material compositions cater to different auditory preferences and applications.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King (V3) features an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium weight category. In contrast, the HMX Gravel has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of only 50 grams, making it a better choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This difference means that while both switches are relatively close in actuation force, the Aqua King (V3) requires more force to bottom out, providing a more substantial tactile feedback for users who enjoy a stronger push feel. Thus, the Aqua King (V3) is the heavier option overall, while the HMX Gravel is the lighter switch, appealing to those looking for prolonged typing comfort or extended gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Gravel linear switch offers a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference in travel distance could significantly affect the feel and responsiveness of each switch. The Aqua King (V3), with its 4 mm travel, provides a more substantial key press, making it suitable for users who enjoy a deeper feel and perhaps a more deliberate typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Gravel, with its 3.5 mm travel, caters to those seeking faster response times, as shorter travel distances are often favored by gamers for their quick actuation. Ultimately, if you prioritize a more responsive feel, the Gravel would be the better choice, whereas if you prefer a hearty depth, the Aqua King (V3) is ideal.
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 HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
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 (V3) is characterized by its subdued auditory profile, producing a dampened sound upon keypress. This creates a typing environment that is not entirely silent but offers a more subtle and less intrusive sound signature compared to many other mechanical switches. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available regarding the sound profile of the HMX Gravel linear switch, so it remains unclear how the two would compare in this aspect. Keep in mind that sound can also vary depending on the keyboard build and keycap choice, which may influence an individual's overall perception.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King (V3) stands out with descriptors like creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. This combination indicates an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, akin to gliding across keys with minimal resistance. Typists can expect a luxurious tactile journey that enhances the overall experience, likely due to the quality of materials and potential factory lubrication. The HMX Gravel, on the other hand, is noted for offering a smooth typing feel and a medium-light actuation force that leans towards the lighter side, resulting in a responsive and comfortable experience. While the Gravel does not have additional descriptive qualities provided, it emphasizes a refined typing feeling that may align closely with the Aqua King's smoothness.
In summary, both the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and HMX Gravel linear switches are designed to deliver a satisfying typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and refined feel. The Aqua King excels with its rich array of descriptors that highlight its luxurious qualities and subdued sound, while the Gravel offers a lighter actuation force and smooth response. While specific sound characteristics for the Gravel are unknown, it can be inferred that both switches will provide a similar smooth typing result, though with potential variances in sound according to their individual traits. Ultimately, both are excellent choices for those seeking high-quality linear switches with superior typing comfort.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences for tactile feedback, sound, and typing experience. If you desire a typing feel that is exceptionally smooth, frictionless, and creamy, the Aqua King (V3) is your ideal choice. It provides a heavier actuation force at 62 grams, making it suitable for those who appreciate a bit more feedback during their typing sessions, especially if you type vigorously or engage in gaming often. The subdued sound signature further adds to a more sophisticated experience without being too noisy. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a more responsive feel, the HMX Gravel, with its 50-gram bottom out force, is an excellent option. It still offers smoothness and a refined typing experience but does so with less effort, making it ideal for long typing sessions where comfort is paramount. The Gravel's exceptional smooth action makes it perfect for both casual typing and fast-paced gaming, all while being quieter than many traditional switches. Ultimately, whether you gravitate towards the Aqua King or the Gravel will depend on how much resistance you enjoy and what typing experience you aspire to have.
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