Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Huano Matcha Latte V2
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard, the switch you select can significantly influence your typing experience, and two notable linear options are the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Matcha Latte V2. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its unique, frictionless feel, likened to gliding across a perfectly smooth ice rink, providing a creamy and polished typing experience that many users find delightfully effortless. This switch caters to those who prefer a subdued and silky tactile sensation, making it an excellent choice for users who value a smooth, uninterrupted flow while typing. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 offers a pleasant balance between light actuation and a solid bottom-out feel, characterized by generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble. This combination ensures a satisfying typing experience without sacrificing performance, making it an appealing option for those seeking premium quality at an accessible price point. Both switches present their unique advantages, influencing how they respond to different typing styles and preferences; 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Matcha Latte V2, notable differences emerge, particularly in their choice of materials, which significantly influence both the auditory and tactile experiences of each switch. The Aqua King (V3) employs polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This material is celebrated for its ability to produce a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate contributes to a resonant quality that enhances the clarity of the switch, making it particularly favorable for RGB lighting applications due to its translucency. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 opts for a POK material for its top housing, which offers a smooth action and remarkable durability, while its bottom housing is made from nylon. Nylon is known for its softer texture, allowing for a deeper, duller sound profile when compared to the sharper tones of polycarbonate.
While the Aqua King (V3) maintains a uniformity in its polycarbonate material throughout both housings, the Matcha Latte V2 combines the best of both worlds by utilizing two distinct materials that contribute uniquely to the switch's functionality. The POK top housing enhances the overall smoothness of the switch's actuation, resulting in a clackier sound—ideal for users who prefer an articulate keystroke. Meanwhile, the nylon bottom housing tempers the sound output, resulting in a more muted and softer bottom-out effect. As a result, the Matcha Latte V2 provides a diverse auditory experience characterized by contrast, while the Aqua King (V3) offers a single, cohesive sound signature that appeals to users who favor a more linear and bright typing sound.
Ultimately, the differences in housing materials lead to distinct yet complementary sound profiles and tactile sensations. On the Aqua King (V3), the sound emphasizes a clear and resonant audio quality that can yield a similar typing experience consistently across both states of keystroke engagement. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2's combination of POK and nylon results in a nuanced feel where the top housing enhances responsiveness, and the bottom housing softens the acoustics, giving typists varied feedback depending on their pressing and releasing actions. Whether users prefer the unified clarity of polycarbonate or the nuanced interaction of different materials, both switches deliver high performance in their unique ways, pleasing enthusiasts with diverse preferences in typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switches, we see a slight variation in actuation force. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Matcha Latte V2 is slightly lighter at 45 grams. This means typists might find the Matcha Latte V2 easier to press, which could make it more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. However, the bottom out force for the Matcha Latte V2 is unknown, while the Aqua King has a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating that it offers a more substantial feel when fully pressed down. Therefore, while both switches cater to different preferences in terms of actuation force, the Aqua King provides a more defined bottom out experience, making it the heavier option overall, whereas the Matcha Latte V2 is the lighter choice with an undetermined bottom out force.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch, it's evident that the Aqua King (V3) has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Matcha Latte V2 measures at 3.6 mm. This difference means that the Aqua King offers a more traditional keystroke experience, appealing to those who enjoy a deeper, more pronounced press. On the other hand, the Matcha Latte V2, with its shorter travel distance, allows for quicker response times that many gamers prefer, providing a snappier feel when typing or gaming. If you are seeking a more responsive switch, the Matcha Latte V2 would be the ideal choice, whereas if you favor a more substantial key press, the Aqua King would better suit your needs. Ultimately, each switch caters to different preferences in keyboard feel and 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 Huano Matcha Latte V2 comes in at $3.99 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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) offers a subdued acoustic profile that produces a dampened sound upon keypresses, providing a more subtle auditory experience compared to many other switches. This means that while you will hear the keystrokes, the overall sound lacks sharpness and aggression, making it suitable for quieter environments. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Huano Matcha Latte V2 are unknown, which leaves room for speculation on whether it might align more closely with traditional linear switches or provide a unique sound signature of its own. Note that sound quality can significantly vary based on the keyboard build and keycap choice, which further complicates direct comparisons.
When it comes to feel, the Aqua King (V3) is renowned for its exceptionally smooth, creamy, and frictionless typing experience. Users often liken typing on these switches to gliding effortlessly across the keys, creating a sensation akin to ice skating on a well-prepped rink. The combination of factors, including generous factory lubrication and high-quality materials, contributes to a silky and polished feel with minimal resistance. In contrast, the feel of the Matcha Latte V2 is not explicitly mentioned; however, if it maintains the same emphasis on quality and performance, it's possible it offers a similarly satisfying typing experience, though specifics remain elusive.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switches present intriguing options, especially for newcomers seeking smooth typing experiences. The Aqua King (V3) stands out with its subdued sound and an impressively refined tactile sensation, marked by creaminess and frictionlessness. While the sound characteristics of the Matcha Latte V2 are unknown, its focus on delivering a solid bottom-out feel and potentially smooth performance may indicate that both switches could provide comparable satisfaction to users, especially if they prioritize tactile comfort over sound. Exploring each switch in a careful setup will help determine which aligns better with individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switches, your choice largely depends on the typing experience you seek. If you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing feel that feels almost indulgent—like gliding across ice—then the Aqua Kings are an excellent choice. With a medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, they deliver a creamy, silky experience that can elevate your typing to new heights. On the other hand, if you are looking for a balance of lightness and a solid bottom-out feel, the Matcha Latte V2 switches offer a satisfying performance while emphasizing accessibility and affordability. Although the Matcha Latte V2 may not provide as vivid a description of tactile feedback as the Aqua Kings, their generous lubrication and minimal wobble ensure a smooth typing experience. In essence, choose the Aqua King (V3) for an unparalleled premium feel and subdued sound or the Matcha Latte V2 for a reliable and budget-friendly linear option that still delivers on performance. Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preference and typing style.
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