Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Miaowu
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Miaowu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Miaowu mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find that both switches offer unique qualities that cater to varying preferences. The Aqua King (V3) is renowned for its smooth and frictionless typing experience, likened to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. This linear switch is characterized by its subdued, creamy, silky, and polished feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a seamless typing sensation. On the other hand, the Miaowu switch from KTT boasts enhanced stem stability and a bouncy, clacky keystroke action. With its utilization of POK in the stem, the Miaowu sets itself apart from other switches featuring conventional POM stems. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific 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
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
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 (V3) and the KTT Miaowu both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal material for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this common feature, the housing material used for the bottom housing sets them apart. The Aqua King (V3) utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which continues to contribute to the sharp and clear sound profile of the switch. In contrast, the Miaowu features a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon.
Although the top housings of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Miaowu are both made of polycarbonate, the different bottom housing materials yield distinct typing experiences. The Aqua King (V3) with a polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a sharper and crisper sound, emphasizing the impact of the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on the switch. On the other hand, the Miaowu's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, offering a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in bottom housing materials highlights the importance of considering not just the top housing of a switch, but also the bottom housing, in determining the overall typing experience and sound quality.
In summary, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Miaowu both benefit from polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and clear sound profile, their bottom housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. The Aqua King (V3) maintains consistency with a polycarbonate bottom housing, emphasizing a sharper sound profile, while the Miaowu's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Understanding how each housing material contributes to the sound and feel of a switch is essential for enthusiasts looking to tailor their typing experience to their preferences.
Weight
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams compared to the KTT Miaowu's 43 grams, making the Aqua King a bit more resistant to accidental key presses. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force, while the Miaowu only needs 50 grams, making the Miaowu lighter and potentially more comfortable for those who prefer a softer typing experience. Overall, the Aqua King provides a more medium feel with its actuation and bottom out forces, while the Miaowu offers a lighter touch for those who prefer a gentler keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether a user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Miaowu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Miaowu has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Aqua King. The Aqua King's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional and offers a bit more depth when typing, which some may prefer for a more tactile experience. On the other hand, the Miaowu's 3.5 mm travel distance is slightly shorter, making it ideal for those who prioritize faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches provide different tactile experiences based on their travel distance, catering to different preferences in typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance for your typing needs.
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 Miaowu has an MSRP of $4.32 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Miaowu for $3.71.
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
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience akin to gliding on ice. On the other hand, the KTT Miaowu linear switch offers a bouncy feel, providing a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation when typing.
When it comes to sound, the Aqua King (V3) switch produces a subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature during key presses. In contrast, the KTT Miaowu switch produces a clacky sound, characterized by a sharp and snappy sound that can be crisp, bright, and percussive.
Overall, if you prefer a typing experience that is smooth and frictionless like gliding on ice, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) switch would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a bouncy and springy feel with a clacky sound profile, the KTT Miaowu switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, providing a diverse range of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the KTT Miaowu linear switch, consider the characteristics that best suit your preferences. If you value a medium bottom out force and enjoy a typing experience reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink, the Aqua King (V3) may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and prioritize enhanced stem stability and smoother keystroke action, the Miaowu switch with its POK stem may better suit your needs. Additionally, if you prefer a subdued sound and a creamy, frictionless, silky or polished typing feel, the Aqua King (V3) is tailored for you. However, if you prefer a clacky sound and a bouncy typing sensation, the Miaowu switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you desire.
Mentioned in this article
