Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. HMX Jelly
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Jelly 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 Jelly offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its frictionless feel, akin to gliding across a freshly resurfaced ice rink, providing a dreamy tactile experience characterized by its subdued, creamy, and silky attributes. This makes it ideal for those who value a smooth and effortless keystroke, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Jelly switches deliver a low-pitched, deep thocky sound signature, complemented by a lightweight 42g actuation force that ensures each keystroke feels both responsive and satisfying. With its excellent factory lube, the Jelly switch boasts a remarkable smoothness that appeals to users who enjoy auditory feedback as well as tactile comfort. Both switches have their own merits, with the Aqua King (V3) prioritizing a seamless typing experience and the Jelly offering auditory delight combined with a pleasing touch. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
T2
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
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Jelly utilize distinct materials for their switch housings, which significantly influence their sound profiles and user experiences. The Aqua King (V3) features polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This material’s characteristics provide a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This stiffness translates to a more resonant audio feedback, making the switches well-suited for users who prefer a clear and bright sound when typing. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for excellent RGB lighting effects, which adds an aesthetic advantage when customization is a priority for users.
In contrast, the HMX Jelly employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which offers a fundamentally different auditory experience. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This results in a duller, rounder sound that many typists may find more pleasant and satisfying. The choice of nylon as housing material lends itself to a quieter operation, which could be appealing for users who prefer a more subdued tactile experience or those in shared environments.
While the varying materials create distinct sound profiles, it is also worth noting that the combination of top and bottom housing materials influences the overall auditory experience of each switch. In the case of the Aqua King (V3), the sharper sound of the polycarbonate top complements the bottom housing, reinforcing a clear auditory feedback during both key presses and releases. Conversely, the HMX Jelly’s nylon components work together to create a coherent sound experience characterized by warmth and consistency. Ultimately, despite the differences in materials, both switches can deliver coherent performance catering to different preferences, allowing users to achieve desired tactile and auditory results based on their choice of housing material.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King (V3) features an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, categorizing it as a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the HMX Jelly has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of only 48 grams, making it a significantly lighter option. For users who prefer a lighter switch, the Jelly would be more suitable, offering less resistance for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may gravitate towards the Aqua King (V3), as its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a firmer feedback. Overall, the choice between these two switches ultimately boils down to personal preference regarding typing feel and comfort during prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Jelly linear switch, a clear distinction arises: the Aqua King (V3) has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jelly measures at 3.8 mm. This makes the Jelly the shorter option, providing a slightly quicker response time, which may appeal to gamers looking for enhanced speed. On the other hand, the Aqua King (V3), with its traditional 4 mm travel distance, offers a more substantial feel that some users may prefer for its depth during key presses. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences—if you lean towards faster responsiveness, the Jelly might be the better choice; however, if you appreciate a more pronounced tactile experience, the Aqua King (V3) would suit you well.
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 Jelly has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jelly 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) features a subdued sound signature, producing a dampened effect upon activation. This allows for a quieter typing experience that won't be overly intrusive, making it well-suited for environments where noise is a concern. In contrast, the HMX Jelly linear switch is noted for its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound. This characteristic will likely provide a more satisfying auditory feedback while typing. However, the final sound profile of either switch can also depend on the specific board and keycaps chosen for use.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King (V3) is recognized for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. Users will find typing on these switches represents a truly luxurious and smooth interaction, akin to gliding effortlessly over the keys. This results in minimal resistance and a fluid travel, making the Aqua King (V3) ideal for those seeking exceptional comfort during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the characteristics of the Jelly switch remain unknown, which leaves a gap in the comparison. Without specific descriptors or feedback regarding the feel of the Jelly switch, we cannot make an informed judgment about how it might affect the typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) excels in providing a smooth and enjoyable typing experience with its subdued sound and frictionless feel, the HMX Jelly switch offers a more pronounced auditory element with its distinct thocky sound. However, the absence of specifics regarding the Jelly switch's feel prevents a full evaluation against the Aqua King (V3). Generally, typing on the Aqua King results in a creamy and polished experience, while the Jelly could resonate differently, particularly in sound. Thus, for a newcomer, the Aqua King (V3) seems to promise an all-around more refined typing journey.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Jelly linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a more substantial typing experience with a moderate bottom-out force of 62 grams, creating a feeling akin to gliding across ice, the Aqua King (V3) is likely the best fit for you. It offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing feel, making it particularly appealing for long typing sessions or gaming, where a smooth keypress is essential. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch with a 48-gram bottom-out force, the Jelly switch may be more your speed. Its deep, thocky sound signature combined with a super smooth feel—enhanced by excellent factory lubrication—makes it a delightful choice for quiet environments or for those who enjoy a softer keypress. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing habits, whether you seek a robust experience with Aqua Kings or a silky, low-resistance feel with Jellies.
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