Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Pine. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is renowned for its frictionless feel. Typing on this switch is akin to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice, delivering a truly magical typing experience. On the other hand, the Pine, also a linear switch, boasts a buttery smooth typing experience that is medium-heavy in weight. Its polished and factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, ensuring effortless key travel. While both switches offer creamy and smooth typing experiences, the Aqua King emphasizes its subdued, silky, and polished qualities, while the Pine leans towards a bassy, low-pitched profile. 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
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Pine, it is clear that both utilize polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings. This choice of material creates similar qualities in both switches, such as a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, which is beneficial for those looking for a precise and distinctive typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
Despite the similarities between the Aqua King and the Pine in terms of their housing materials, the differentiation lies in how these materials are divided between the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more prominent, influencing the sound and feel upon bottoming out. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, although the housing materials are the same, the distribution of these materials allows for subtle variations in sound and typing experience between the two switches.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Pine share the use of polycarbonate as their housing material, resulting in similar attributes such as a sharp and resonant sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness and translucency contribute to a precise and visually appealing switch, especially when combined with RGB lighting. However, the differentiation lies in how the top and bottom housings utilize the polycarbonate material, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with nuanced differences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there is a slight difference in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, whereas the Pine has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Pine requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. Both switches, however, fall under the medium category in terms of actuation force.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Pine has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 58 grams. Once again, the Pine requires a bit less force for a keystroke to fully bottom out. Both switches still fall within the medium range in terms of bottom out force.
In terms of weight, it is worth mentioning that the Aqua King is slightly heavier than the Pine due to its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces. However, the weight difference is not significant and may not make a noticeable difference to most users.
Overall, both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Pine linear switches provide a similar typing experience. Their actuation and bottom out forces are relatively close, with the Pine requiring a slightly lighter touch. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the slightly lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Pine for a lighter typing experience, while others may prefer the slightly heavier forces of the Aqua King for a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when a key is pressed, which is the distance one feels when typing. In the case of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when using either switch, users can expect a consistent and familiar typing experience in terms of the travel distance they feel when pressing down on a key. Therefore, whether one chooses the Aqua King or the Pine switch, they can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance. Both switches offer a 4 mm travel distance, providing a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.
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 Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 linear switch is best described as subdued. This means that while it is not completely silent, it offers a more subtle and dampened sound when pressed. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as bassy and low-pitched. These switches produce a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps, so it's important to consider these elements as well.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a range of qualities. It is commonly described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on Aqua King switches feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, with minimal resistance or friction. The KTT Pine linear switch, on the other hand, is often referred to as buttery and creamy. Similar to the Aqua King, these switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Both switches aim to provide a pleasurable typing experience with their smooth and comfortable feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Pine linear switches offer similar subjective qualities in terms of feel, as they both provide a smooth and buttery typing experience. Despite differences in the descriptors used to describe their sound, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Ultimately, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience with their smooth and effortless feel, making them suitable options for those seeking a pleasant mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, this switch offers a magical typing feel that reminds you of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. Your fingers will glide effortlessly across the keys, creating a truly enjoyable typing experience. In terms of sound, the Aqua King produces a subdued sound, offering a more subtle and dampened sound signature compared to most switches. When it comes to feel, the Aqua King is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished, providing a silky-smooth sensation and minimizing any resistance or friction when pressing the keys.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a bottom out force of 58 grams and a focus on effortless typing, then the KTT Pine linear switch is the choice for you. These switches are known for being buttery smooth and built for an effortless typing experience. With a polished, factory-lubed finish, the Pine switches minimize friction for a smooth key travel. In terms of sound, the Pine switches offer a deep and rich bassy sound profile, characterized by a lower frequency range. When it comes to feel, the Pine is described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Pine linear switches depends on your personal preferences. If you value a frictionless and silky typing experience, the Aqua King is the way to go. However, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a focus on effortless typing, the Pine switches are the better option. Consider your desired bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to make an informed decision on which switch suits you best.
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