Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron Mars
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars can significantly affect your typing experience. The Aqua King (V3) offers a remarkably smooth and frictionless typing feel, often likened to gliding over ice, making it a top choice for users who crave a subdued yet creamy response that enhances their overall enjoyment during prolonged typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Mars, with its innovative POK stem and a housing composed of a unique Nylon and POM blend, is designed to provide a distinct tactile sensation favored by many gamers and typists who appreciate an advanced, responsive feel. While the Aqua King emphasizes smoothness and a polished typing experience, the Gateron Mars promises a blend of innovation and performance that caters to diverse preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
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
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars both utilize distinct materials for their housings, resulting in differing sound profiles and typing experiences. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material's translucency is particularly advantageous for RGB lighting, allowing for a vibrant visual effect when illuminated. In contrast, the Gateron Mars utilizes a nylon top housing, a classic choice that generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon contributes to a more muted auditory experience, absorbing sound rather than amplifying it, which results in a rounder sound instead of the crispness associated with polycarbonate.
When comparing the bottom housings, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) opts for polycarbonate once again, reinforcing its previous sound characteristics by ensuring a clear and resonant auditory experience during key presses. In opposition, the Gateron Mars is equipped with a POM bottom housing, which introduces a distinctively muted sound that's deeper and more pleasing in its own right. While both switches introduce some auditory challenges—such as the Aqua King's brighter notes and the Mars's rounded timbre—the unique materials employed in the bottom housing lead to different bottom-out sensations. The effectiveness and quality of the sound and feel can vary significantly based on the specific materials chosen for each switch's composition.
Ultimately, although the Aqua King (V3) and Gateron Mars leverage different materials in their housing constructions, they both aim to deliver satisfying tactile experiences for users. If one seeks stunning RGB lighting effects and sharper auditory feedback, the Aqua King stands out with its polycarbonate design. Alternatively, those who prefer a deeper, warmer sound will likely gravitate toward the Gateron Mars’s nylon and POM combination. In applications where both sounds and performances matter, one can achieve resonant or muted outcomes depending on the unique characteristics of each housing material, underscoring that the utilization of differing plastics ultimately yields distinct typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars linear switches, one notable difference lies in their actuation forces. The Aqua King (V3) features an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Mars has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This makes the Gateron Mars the lighter option, which could be more appealing for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In terms of bottom out forces, the Aqua King (V3) has a bottom out force of 62 grams, contrasting with the Mars, which has an unknown bottom out force. With the Aqua King's confirmed bottom out force, users can expect a more pronounced feedback when pressing the key all the way down, while the actual feel of bottoming out on the Mars remains uncertain. Therefore, if you prioritize a more substantial typing experience, the Aqua King (V3) would be the better choice, while those seeking a lighter actuation without clarity on bottoming out might opt for the Gateron Mars.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, it becomes clear that their designs cater to different preferences. The Aqua King (V3) features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option that appeals to users who enjoy a deeper keystroke for a more tactile experience. In contrast, the Gateron Mars offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, which may provide quicker response times, appealing to gamers and those who favor a more responsive typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a hearty depth in your key presses, the Aqua King (V3) would be the better choice, whereas the Mars's shorter travel distance might be more suitable for those who prioritize speed in their actions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and response time.
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 Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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 comparing the sound characteristics of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars linear switch, the Aqua King stands out with its subdued sound profile, producing a dampened noise that is more subtle compared to many other switches. This allows for a quieter typing experience that won't distract others around you. The sound characteristics of the Gateron Mars, however, are currently unknown, which leaves a gap in this comparison. It’s important to note that the overall sound output will also depend on the keyboard build and choice of keycaps, so the Mars may have a distinct sound signature influenced by these factors.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King (V3) delivers an exceptional typing experience with its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished attributes. This combination results in a typing sensation that is effortless, smooth, and enjoyable, akin to gliding on ice. This refined tactile nature provides a luxurious touch in each keystroke, enhancing both comfort and performance. Specific information regarding the feel of the Gateron Mars is not available at this time, preventing a direct comparison in terms of tactile sensations and overall typing experience.
Combining the available information, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) excels in providing a subdued sound and a luxurious feel characterized by its silky, frictionless nature, making it appealing to users in search of a smooth and quiet typing experience. Without contrasting details for the Gateron Mars, particularly in sound and feel, it is challenging to draw a comprehensive comparison. However, if the Mars were to offer similar qualities, users could expect a comparable typing experience to the Aqua King. Ultimately, your choice may depend on personal preference regarding sound levels, tactile sensation, and key feel, but the Aqua King is clearly an outstanding option for those seeking quiet and creamy linear switches.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Mars linear switches, consider your typing preferences and desired experience. If you value a smooth, frictionless typing feel reminiscent of gliding across ice, and prefer a medium bottom-out force of 62 grams that provides a balanced tactile experience, the Aqua King (V3) is the ideal choice. Its subdued sound profile and creamy, polished texture enhance the overall typing experience, making it perfect for both casual and intense typing sessions. Conversely, if you’re intrigued by innovative design and want to explore the unique characteristics of the Gateron Mars switches, you might find them appealing, but be mindful that the unknown bottom-out force may introduce an element of unpredictability in terms of feel. While the Mars switches promise a distinctive typing experience with their blend of materials, they lack the established characteristics of smoothness and sound that the Aqua King offers. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prefer the luxurious, buttery feel of the Aqua King (V3) or are looking to experiment with the innovative aspects of the Gateron Mars switches.
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