Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Hyacinth
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Hyacinth switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out: the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Hyacinth. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Aqua King is renowned for its sublime typing experience, as it feels as smooth as gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. Its linear design provides a frictionless experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a silky and subdued typing feel. On the other hand, the Hyacinth sets itself apart with a 3.5mm travel distance, which avoids the common issue of hard bottoming-out experienced with longer stems. This design choice aims to strike a perfect balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Additionally, the Hyacinth breaks away from the norm by utilizing a single-stage elongated spring, ensuring a consistent force curve. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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 spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Hyacinth both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches feature a translucent top housing, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. However, it is important to note that although they share the same material for the top housing, there might be variations in design and construction that can impact the sound and feel of each switch.
Where the two switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate, while the Hyacinth employs nylon. The use of nylon in the Hyacinth's bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than stiffer plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aqua King complements its stiffer top housing by providing a consistent and clear sound experience throughout the keystroke.
When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing material will have a greater impact on the sound and feel during the bottom-out action. Due to the characteristics of their respective materials, the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing will deliver a clear and resonant bottom-out sound. In contrast, the Hyacinth's nylon bottom housing will provide a slightly softer and more muted sound during bottom-out. On the other hand, the top housing material will have a more noticeable effect on the sound when releasing a key, with both switches benefiting from the sharp and crisp characteristics of polycarbonate.
In conclusion, while both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Hyacinth share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, they differ in their bottom housing material. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its stiffer top housing, resulting in a consistent and clear sound profile. In contrast, the Hyacinth's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound experience. Nevertheless, both switches offer unique sound profiles and the benefit of polycarbonate's desirable qualities in their top housing.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, slightly heavier than the Hyacinth's 45 grams. Both switches fall under the medium category, requiring a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Aqua King has a higher force of 62 grams compared to the Hyacinth's 56 grams, making the Aqua King feel slightly more substantial.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch as it allows them to type for longer periods, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In this regard, the Hyacinth, with its slightly lighter actuation and bottom out forces, may be a more suitable choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Aqua King.
While the forces may differ slightly between the two switches, they both fall within the medium range, ensuring a balance between ease of use and tactile feedback. Whether one prefers a slightly heavier or lighter switch, both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Hyacinth offer options that cater to varying preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Aqua King is slightly longer than the Hyacinth. A travel distance of 4 mm is considered to be more traditional, providing a balance between depth and responsiveness. On the other hand, a travel distance of 3.5 mm is slightly shorter, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. So, if you prefer a more hearty depth in your typing experience, opting for the Aqua King with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preferences and desired typing experience.
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 Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
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 switch is known for producing a subdued sound. It is not completely silent, but it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switch has a neutral sound profile. It falls in the middle in terms of actuation force requirement and sound, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and whether you plan to use it at home or work. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King switch is often described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on them feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, with a sensation similar to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. The KTT Hyacinth switch, on the other hand, is known for its silky and subtle feel. It enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience by minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing the keys. It also offers a gentle resistance without being feather-light and has a sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Hyacinth switches offer different subjective qualities. The Aqua King excels in providing a frictionless typing experience with a subtle sound, while the Hyacinth focuses on a silky smooth feel with a neutral sound profile. Both switches prioritize creating a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, but they achieve it through different design choices. Depending on personal preferences and specific use cases, one switch may be a better fit than the other. However, it's worth noting that despite the differences, both switches offer a similar smooth and effortless typing experience, making them suitable options for those who value a frictionless and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch with a medium bottom out force and a frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a magical typing experience, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice rink. With their creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel, your fingers will effortlessly glide across the keys, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. Additionally, the Aqua King switches offer a subdued sound profile, making them a more subtle option compared to most switches.
Alternatively, if you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a focus on balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, then the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a suitable option for you. These switches have a unique design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance, which helps avoid a hard bottoming-out experience commonly associated with longer-stem switches. The Hyacinth switches also utilize a single-stage elongated spring for a more consistent force curve. With a silky and subtle feel, these switches provide a gentle resistance without sacrificing a light typing experience. The Hyacinth switches also have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments.
Overall, both the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Hyacinth switches offer exceptional typing experiences, each with its own unique characteristics. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific qualities you are looking for in a switch. Whether you prioritize a frictionless typing feel or a balance between feedback and comfort, both switches deliver in their respective aspects.
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