Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available, each with its own unique characteristics. Two popular linear switches worth considering are the Everglide Aqua King and the SP-Star Meteor White. On one hand, the Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. With a typing experience that feels like magic, it offers a subtle, creamy, and polished key feel. On the other hand, the Meteor White provides a gentler experience, with easy-to-press keys and a soft, pitter-patter sound. Its type feel and sound profile are characterized by a gentle, mild, and thocky sensation. While these generalities provide a glimpse into the unique qualities of each switch, let's dive in a bit deeper to help you make the best decision based on your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in terms of their housing materials. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the Meteor White utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Aqua King's housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the nylon housing of the Meteor White elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Aqua King's polycarbonate top housing offers translucency, making it especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting. This allows the lighting effects to shine through and create an visually appealing experience. In contrast, the Meteor White's nylon top housing lacks translucency, which may limit the ability to showcase RGB lighting effects. However, the nylon material of the Meteor White gives it a classic and timeless look that some users may prefer over the transparent appearance of the Aqua King.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Aqua King and Meteor White feature materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aqua King enhances the sharp and crisp sound when bottoming out a key, providing a satisfying and distinct auditory feedback. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White lends itself to a deeper and fuller sound profile, offering a more subtle and rounded auditory experience. Thus, depending on personal preference, users can choose between the sharper sound of the Aqua King or the deeper sound of the Meteor White based on the bottom housing material.
In conclusion, while the Aqua King and the Meteor White differ in their housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles and aesthetic characteristics. The Aqua King's polycarbonate housing provides a sharper and more resonant sound, along with the option for showcasing RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Meteor White's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while also offering a timeless and classic aesthetic. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and appearance.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, some similarities and differences can be identified. The Everglide Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the actuation force of the SP-Star Meteor White is unknown. However, both switches fall into the medium force category, indicating a moderate amount of pressure needed to activate the keystroke.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Everglide Aqua King requires 62 grams of force to fully depress the switch, providing a slightly heavier feel compared to its actuation force. Conversely, the SP-Star Meteor White has a bottom out force of 57 grams, which is slightly lighter than the Aqua King. This means that the Meteor White offers a more responsive typing experience with a lighter bottoming out sensation.
Considering the weight aspect, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the SP-Star Meteor White, especially for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial push while typing may find the Everglide Aqua King more suitable for their preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the Meteor White, you can expect identical results in terms of travel distance.
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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 is best described as subdued. While it's not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as neutral, with a moderate sound profile that makes it suitable for various purposes. Additionally, the Meteor White switch is also known for producing a thocky sound, which adds to the overall typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King switch offers a range of descriptors. It is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. The creamy feel indicates a smooth and buttery typing experience, often achieved through factory lubrication or specific materials. The frictionless and silky attributes emphasize an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Lastly, the polished characteristic ensures a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as mild and polished, offering a more gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. Similar to the Aqua King, the polished feature indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and SP-Star Meteor White switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King switch provides a subdued sound profile and a range of smooth and frictionless typing experiences. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch has a neutral sound profile suitable for most purposes, with a mild and polished feel for a gentle typing experience. While they have their differences, both switches are polished, ensuring smooth and refined typing experiences with reduced friction. Therefore, if you are looking for a smooth and refined typing experience, either of these switches would provide similar satisfactory results, although with subtle variations in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a frictionless and effortless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a medium level of resistance that is not too heavy nor too light. Typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. The Aqua King also produces a subdued sound profile, which means it offers a dampened sound when pressed. This switch is perfect for those who prefer a more subtle and gentle typing experience.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a lower bottom out force and a softer sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch would be a great fit. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, it is considered medium-light, making it easier to push compared to the Aqua King. The Meteor White switch offers a gentle and pitter-patter sound profile, creating a more subdued and calming typing experience. Additionally, the switch can be described as polished, providing a smooth and refined feel when typing.
Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences. If a frictionless and almost magical typing experience is what you seek, the Everglide Aqua King will be your go-to choice. However, if you prefer a softer and more subdued typing experience, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is a top contender. Whether you prioritize sound, feel, or both, these switches cater to different preferences and guarantee a pleasant typing experience.
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