Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Lightning
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Lightning switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Lightning. The Aqua King is lauded for its unique linear switch that provides a frictionless typing experience reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. Its subdued, creamy, and silky feel makes each keystroke magical. On the other hand, the Lightning is known for its approachable "speed" switches, ideal for gamers who rely on split-second decisions. With its slick typing feel and clacky sound profile, typing on the Lightning switch feels quick and precise. Both switches offer polished finishes, but beyond these generalities, let's dive deeper into their characteristics so you can choose the best switch for your 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
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Lightning both use polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the clear housing of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for those planning to use RGB lighting, as it enhances the translucency of the switch. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both the Aqua King and the Lightning's polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Aqua King differs from the Lightning. The Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, ensuring a cohesive sound profile throughout the switch. As mentioned earlier, the stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a sharper and crisper sound, making the bottom-out sound and feel more impactful.
In contrast, the KTT Lightning utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which brings a different quality to the switch. Nylon, being a relatively softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, typing on the Lightning with its nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound, offering a distinct typing experience compared to the Aqua King.
Overall, while both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Lightning use polycarbonate for their top housing, they differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Aqua King maintains a consistent sound profile throughout the switch with its polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Lightning offers a unique typing experience with its nylon bottom housing. Whether you prefer a crisper sound or a deeper, fuller sound, both options cater to different preferences and can enhance your typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, there are noticeable differences to consider. The Aqua King has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams, while the Lightning requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams. Both switches fall in the medium to light range, providing a relatively smooth typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King requires a heavier force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial and tactile feedback when fully pressed down. On the other hand, the Lightning has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, offering a gentler typing experience.
Considering weight as a factor, individuals seeking a lighter switch for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming may prefer the Lightning switch, with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter weight allows for reduced finger fatigue and enhanced typing endurance. However, those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more pronounced typing experience may lean towards the Aqua King switch, with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
In summary, while the Aqua King linear switch requires a slightly higher actuation force and bottom out force than the KTT Lightning switch, both switches provide satisfactory typing experiences. Understanding personal preferences for lighter or heavier switches can help individuals make a more informed decision based on their desired typing experience and intended use.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch have different travel distances. The Aqua King has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered more traditional, while the Lightning has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Lightning switch is preferred by gamers who value faster response times, as it allows for quicker keystrokes. On the other hand, the Aqua King's longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial depth when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
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 Lightning comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.
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 linear switch is best described as subdued. This means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch is known for being clacky, exhibiting a sharp and snappy sound profile. In addition, it has a high-pitched characteristic that produces a sharp and crisp sound. It is also worth noting that the Lightning switch has a unique acoustic signature with a little squeak, setting it apart from other switches. However, it is important to mention that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is renowned for its frictionless quality. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This switch provides a fluid travel that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. It can be described as creamy, silky, and polished, offering a smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch is known for its subtle and polished feel. It has a gentle resistance that is not too light but still maintains a light typing feel. Similar to the Aqua King, the Lightning switch also offers reduced friction and smooth key travel due to its smooth and refined finish.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch stands out for its frictionless feel, providing a magical typing experience akin to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. It offers a subdued sound that is dampened and subtle, creating a more relaxed typing environment. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch is known for its approachable "speed" characteristic, making it perfect for situations where milliseconds can make a difference. It has a slick type feel and a clacky sound profile, giving it a crisp and bright sound. While the Aqua King and Lightning switches have different qualities, those looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a more subdued sound may find the Aqua King to be the ideal choice. However, both switches can provide satisfying results depending on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a frictionless and magical typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a medium resistance that strikes a balance between ease of typing and tactile feedback. The Aqua King provides a creamy, frictionless, and silky typing feel, reminiscent of gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. The sound profile of the Aqua King is described as subdued, offering a more subtle and dampened sound compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if speed and precise millisecond decision-making are your primary concerns, the KTT Lightning linear switch is the better choice. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, it offers a lighter typing feel. The Lightning switch provides a slick type feel with a clacky sound profile, giving you the sharp and snappy typing experience required in competitive gaming or fast-paced typing scenarios.
Ultimately, your choice between the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Lightning linear switches will depend on your personal preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a frictionless and magical typing experience, go for the Aqua King. If speed and precision are your main concerns, opt for the Lightning. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences.
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