Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron Quinn offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Aqua King is a linear switch that truly lives up to its name. With a frictionless feel reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice, typing becomes a magical experience. On the other hand, the Quinn is a tactile switch known for its unique combination of crisp tactility and deep, resonant sound. Each keystroke produces a rich and immersive sound, accompanied by a precise and clean tactile bump. While the Aqua King offers a subdued and creamy typing experience, the Quinn provides a snappy and bassy sensation. Both switches have their own polish and creamy feel, but the Quinn stands out with its accentuated clack and low-pitched resonance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide the perfect switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron Quinn switches differ in their housing materials. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Aqua King creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to the stiffness of polycarbonate. This material also lends itself well to RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Quinn produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite their differences, both materials contribute to the overall sound experience, with polycarbonate providing a clearer and more resonant sound, while nylon delivers a deeper and fuller sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Aqua King again utilizes polycarbonate, while the Quinn features a nylon bottom housing. Just like with the top housing, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aqua King creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its stiffness plays a role in generating a clear and resonant sound. Meanwhile, the nylon bottom housing of the Quinn contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound due to its relatively softer nature. The bottom housing of a switch primarily impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed down, and both polycarbonate and nylon bring their respective qualities to enhance these aspects.
When considering the overall typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King and the Gateron Quinn switches differ in their sound profiles. The Aqua King, with its polycarbonate top and bottom housings, creates a sharper and crisper sound overall due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. In comparison, the Quinn's nylon top and bottom housings result in a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon. However, both switches offer unique sound experiences that can be appreciated by different typists. The top housing material, whether it be polycarbonate or nylon, also plays a role in the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference and the desired sound profile for the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Aqua King has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Quinn's 59 grams. This means that the Aqua King requires less force to trigger a keystroke, resulting in a lighter and potentially faster typing experience. Additionally, the Aqua King has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Quinn has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, making the Quinn more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing. Overall, the Aqua King offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force, while the Quinn provides a slightly heavier tactile experience. Both switches offer medium to medium-heavy forces, allowing users to find a balance between ease of typing and substantial key presses.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is considered to be a more traditional travel distance. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches offer a distinct feel when pressed, with the Aqua King providing a deeper press compared to the slightly shallower press of the Quinn. Gamers who value faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Quinn, as it allows for quicker keystrokes. However, for those who prefer a more substantial and satisfying depth when pressing a key, the Aqua King with its longer travel distance would be the preferable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of 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 Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn 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 it comes to sound, the Aqua King switch is best described as having a subdued sound profile. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Quinn switch provides a unique combination of sound qualities. It offers a deep and resonant sound profile, thanks to its specially designed nylon housings. Users can expect a rich and immersive sound that adds character to the typing experience. It can be characterized as bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant, resulting in a clean and sharp sound profile. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board itself and the keycaps used. Overall, the Aqua King delivers a more subdued sound, while the Quinn offers a distinct combination of deep and resonant qualities.
When it comes to feel, the Aqua King switch is known for providing a frictionless and effortless typing experience. It feels as if you are gliding your fingers across the keys on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. The switch offers a smooth and buttery feel, akin to a silky sensation. This is due to the absence of friction and resistance when pressing the keys, allowing for easy and seamless keystrokes. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a snappy and polished feel. It is highly responsive, creating a lively and vibrant typing experience. The keys have a bouncy and elastic feedback sensation that provides a sense of rebound when pressed. Additionally, the Quinn switch shares the creamy and polished qualities with the Aqua King, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Overall, the Aqua King switch focuses on a frictionless and effortless feel, while the Quinn switch delivers a snappy and polished experience with accentuated tactility.
Considering the available information, the Aqua King linear and the Gateron Quinn tactile switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King provides a subdued sound with its dampened and more subtle sound signature, while the Quinn delivers a deep and resonant sound with a combination of bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant qualities. In terms of feel, the Aqua King offers a frictionless and effortless experience with its smooth, silky, and polished properties. On the other hand, the Quinn switch provides a snappy and polished feel with accentuated tactility and a bouncy feedback sensation. While the Aqua King focuses on a frictionless and seamless feel, the Quinn switch emphasizes a lively and vibrant typing experience. Choose the Aqua King if you prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience, and opt for the Quinn if you desire a more pronounced tactile feedback and a deeper sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are best known for their ice-skating-like feel, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. Additionally, Aqua Kings produce a subdued sound, offering a more subtle and dampened typing experience compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if you value a tactile and immersive typing experience with a touch of character in the sound profile, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch would be a great option. The Quinn switches provide a crisp and clean tactile bump, complemented by a deep and resonant sound thanks to their specially designed nylon housings. Expect each keystroke to be greeted with a rich and immersive sound, adding a unique touch to your typing experience.
Ultimately, your decision between the Aqua King and Quinn switches will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth, frictionless feel or a tactile, immersive typing experience. Consider your preferences for typing feel and sound, and choose the switch that aligns with your desired typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
