Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Kiki Red both stand out for their unique qualities. The Aqua King (V3) provides a delightful sensation akin to gliding on ice due to its extremely smooth and polished feel. On the other hand, the Kiki Red strikes a perfect balance between a high-pitched, clacky sound and a smooth actuation thanks to its all-POM housing and Ly-infused stems. While the Aqua King (V3) is known for its subdued and creamy typing experience, the Kiki Red offers a blend of clacky and creamy sensations. Deciding between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific requirements; 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
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the top housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Kiki Red, we see that the Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, offering a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Kiki Red features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. While both materials contribute to unique sound profiles, the polycarbonate of the Aqua King may provide a more distinct and bright tone compared to the Kiki Red's POM housing.
Moving on to the bottom housing comparison, both switches showcase their distinct materials. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing offers the same characteristics as its top counterpart, emphasizing a sharp, clear sound profile. In contrast, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing provides a deeper and more muted sound profile. These differences in bottom housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience, as the bottom-out sound and feel will be influenced by the housing material. The Aqua King may offer a more defined bottom-out experience due to its polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing may result in a smoother and quieter keystroke.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Kiki Red will come down to personal preference in sound and feel. While both switches feature unique qualities in their respective housing materials, the Aqua King's polycarbonate top and bottom housings may deliver a crisper and more resonant sound profile compared to the Kiki Red's POM materials. However, if a deeper and more muted sound is preferred, the Kiki Red may be the better option. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience, and users should consider their preferences in sound and feel when selecting a switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that the Aqua King is heavier than the Kiki Red. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Kiki Red has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Kiki Red a lighter option in terms of force required for typing. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Kiki Red more comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Aqua King. Both switches offer a satisfying typing feel, but for those looking for a lighter touch, the Kiki Red is the better choice.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Gamers may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the Kiki Red for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Aqua King. Both switches offer different experiences when it comes to key travel distance, allowing users to choose based on their preferences for responsiveness and key feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance.
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 Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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) linear switch is known for its subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch produces a clacky sound, characterized by a sharp and snappy tone that is crisp, bright, and percussive. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both the Aqua King (V3) and the Bsun Kiki Red switches share similar qualities. They are described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience that feels like gliding over the keys effortlessly. Additionally, both switches are noted to be frictionless, providing minimal resistance or friction during key presses for a fluid typing experience. The polished finish of these switches contributes to a sleek typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches also exhibit a silky typing experience, enhancing overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch have distinct sound profiles, they share similar qualities in terms of feel. Both switches offer a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience that is smooth and effortless. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches may come down to personal preference in sound characteristics, with the Aqua King (V3) providing a subdued sound and the Bsun Kiki Red offering a clacky tone. However, in terms of feel, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of smoothness and typing comfort with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch that offers a medium bottom out force and a typing experience akin to gliding on ice, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with a finely-tuned, high-pitched, clacky sound and smooth actuation, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities in terms of feel and sound, so be sure to consider your typing preferences and priorities when making your decision.
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