Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Laurel
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Laurel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Laurel are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique qualities for an enhanced typing experience. The Aqua King is best known for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. This linear switch provides a magical typing experience with its subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished characteristics. On the other hand, the Laurel switch by KTT strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness and comfort. Its medium-light linear design features a full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design. With the Laurel switch, users can enjoy a subtly low-pitched sound profile that adds to the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22m spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Laurel, it is evident that they offer distinct sound profiles due to the differences in their top and bottom housings. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it suitable for use with RGB lighting. The Laurel, on the other hand, utilizes POM for its top housing, creating a more unique and deep sound profile that is relatively more muted.
As for the bottom housings, the Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate, mirroring the qualities of its top housing. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound when bottoming out a key. In contrast, the Laurel employs POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a sound profile that is deeper and more muted. Therefore, if the top and bottom housings differ in a switch, each housing material will affect the sound and feel of different aspects of the key press. The bottom housing will predominantly influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will impact the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Laurel depends on the desired sound profile and aesthetic preferences. The Aqua King, with its polycarbonate housing for both the top and bottom, offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. This makes it suitable for those seeking a more defined and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Laurel's use of POM in both the top and bottom housings produces a distinct and deep sound profile that is relatively more muted. This may appeal to individuals who prefer a softer and more unique typing sound. Ultimately, both switches will deliver satisfactory results, but the choice between them will depend on individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Laurel linear switches, there are notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Everglide Aqua King requires 46 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, whereas the KTT Laurel only requires 43 grams. Both switches fall into the medium and light categories respectively. In terms of the bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams, while the Laurel requires 50 grams. The Aqua King exhibits a heavier bottom out force compared to the Laurel, making it slightly more substantial in terms of typing experience.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions to reduce fatigue. In this aspect, the Laurel's lighter actuation and bottom out forces may be more appealing. On the other hand, individuals seeking a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Aqua King and its slightly heavier forces. Both switches offer their own unique advantages based on these preferences.
In summary, while the Aqua King and the Laurel linear switches possess similar actuation forces, their bottom out forces differ, making the Aqua King slightly heavier. Ultimately, the choice between the switches will depend on the user's specific needs and preferences, whether they prioritize a lighter or more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Laurel linear switch have different travel distances. The Aqua King has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Laurel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4 mm is considered more standard, while 3.5 mm is slightly shorter. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. If you value quick and responsive keystrokes, the Laurel with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, some people find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke. In this case, the Aqua King with its longer travel distance would be the preferred option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or depth in your 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 Laurel has an MSRP of $4.42 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Laurel for $3.95.
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 offers a subdued sound profile. It's not completely silent, but it provides a more subtle and dampened sound compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Laurel switch has a low-pitched sound profile, which means it has a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Both switches offer different sound qualities, allowing users to choose based on their preference or desired sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King switch is described as offering a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and buttery feel, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The Aqua King switch minimizes resistance and offers a fluid travel, enhancing the overall smoothness of typing. On the other hand, the KTT Laurel switch is described as snappy, indicating that it is super responsive. This responsiveness is often achieved through longer or dual-staged springs, which gives a livelier typing experience. The Laurel switch strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort due to its full POM housing, short travel, and long pole design.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King switch and the KTT Laurel switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King switch provides a subdued sound profile and a frictionless, creamy, silky, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Laurel switch offers a low-pitched sound profile and a snappy typing feel. Depending on personal preferences, users can choose between the Aqua King for a smoother and more frictionless experience or the Laurel for a snappier and more responsive typing feel. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics, providing users with options to cater to their specific typing needs.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a typing experience that feels frictionless and magical, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. The Aqua King offers a creamy, frictionless, and silky feel, as if you are effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. Furthermore, its sound profile is described as subdued, providing a more subtle and dampened sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with a snappy response, the KTT Laurel linear switch would be a great option. With its light bottom out force of 50 grams, it offers a medium-light feel that is both responsive and comfortable. The Laurel features a full POM housing, short travel, and a long pole design, resulting in a switch that strikes the perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort. Additionally, its low-pitched sound profile adds a bass-heavy and mellow tone to your typing experience.
Ultimately, your decision between the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Laurel will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. Consider whether you prioritize a frictionless and magical typing experience with a subdued sound (Aqua King) or a lighter and snappier typing experience with a low-pitched sound (Laurel). Both switches offer unique features that can enhance your overall typing satisfaction.
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