Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 mechanical keyboard switches, one immediately notices their different characteristics. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its linear feel that effortlessly glides like skates on ice, providing a frictionless and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a clacky and high-pitched sound signature with a silky smooth typing feel, complemented by its unique light diffuser for enhanced RGB illumination. While the Aqua King (V3) is best suited for those who enjoy a subdued and creamy typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 appeals to individuals looking for a more vibrant and tactile typing sensation. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound when typing on either keyboard. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of both switches.
While the housing materials for the Aqua King (V3) and the Lightning Silver V3 are the same, the impact of the top and bottom housings differs in terms of typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing are more noticeable when pressing down on a key, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. On the other hand, the qualities of the top housing come into play when releasing a key, influencing the sound produced. Despite these differences in where the housing material exerts its influence, both switches ultimately deliver a satisfying typing experience with their polycarbonate construction.
When considering the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, it is evident that their shared use of polycarbonate contributes to their similar sound profiles and aesthetics. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate results in a clearer and more resonant sound when typing on either switch, enhancing the overall typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to add a visually appealing element to both keyboards. Overall, both the Aqua King and the Lightning Silver V3 offer a high-quality typing experience with their carefully chosen housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is evident that the Aqua King has a slightly lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Lightning Silver's 48 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams, whereas the Lightning Silver needs 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Aqua King may be the better choice, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver may appeal to those who prefer a slightly heavier push for a more substantial typing feel. Overall, these switches provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences in typing experiences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Aqua King has a longer travel distance, offering a more traditional key feel with a deeper press. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver has a shorter travel distance, making it preferable for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. Both switches provide a unique typing experience, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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) offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 produces a clacky and high-pitched sound, giving a sharp, crisp, and percussive sound profile. 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 used.
Turning to the typing feel, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless sensation that minimizes resistance when pressing the keys. It's akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, creating a magical typing experience. Conversely, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 provides a silky typing experience, enhancing smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
When considering both switches, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and Lightning Silver V3 offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King (V3) excels in providing a frictionless and polished typing experience with a subdued sound, while the Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its clacky and high-pitched sound and silky feel. If you prefer a more subdued sound and a smoother, frictionless typing feel, the Aqua King (V3) would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a sharper sound profile and a silky typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 would be the ideal option. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences and the overall keyboard setup desired for an exceptional typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink, you would want to choose the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch with its medium bottom out force of 62 grams. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound signature coupled with a silky typing experience and enhanced RGB illumination, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force of 60 grams would be the ideal choice for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your preference for sound, feel, and RGB lighting in your mechanical keyboard setup.
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