Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Sakura each present unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its incredibly smooth, frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding across a freshly resurfaced ice rink. This switch offers a Subdued and Silky typing experience, making it an excellent choice for users who seek a whisper-quiet operation while effortlessly gliding through their typing tasks. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura is characterized by its feather-light touch and medium acoustics, making it particularly suitable for long typing sessions where comfort is paramount. While both switches are linear, catering to typists who favor a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, their fundamental sensations differ significantly. The Aqua King offers a more polished, almost magical experience, while the Sakura emphasizes a lighter, more consistent keystroke. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Partial box
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
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Sakura, we observe distinct contrasts, particularly in their top housing compositions. The Aqua King (V3) employs polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its rigidity and translucency, which enhances its acoustic properties by generating a sharper and crisper sound profile. This feature is especially beneficial for users who employ RGB lighting, as the clear nature of polycarbonate allows for impressive light diffusion. In contrast, the Huano Sakura utilizes POK (polyketone) material for its top housing. POK is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and durability, with lower friction coefficients, delivering a clackier sound that is notably different from the Aqua King. Thus, while both switches aim for a high-quality tactile experience, their top housing materials yield different auditory characteristics – from a bright, clear sound in the Aqua King to a smooth, clacky sensation in the Sakura.
Examining the bottom housings, the Aqua King (V3) continues with polycarbonate, which maintains its sound profile of clarity and resonance, making the keys feel snappy and responsive. The Sakura, conversely, utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and more full-bodied sound profile. This difference is significant; nylon absorbs sound more effectively than the harder polycarbonate, resulting in a rounder bottom-out feel while typing. The combining of these materials emphasizes how different tonal qualities can be experienced in each switch. Therefore, when using the Aqua King, one can expect an overall sharper sound experience, whereas the Sakura leans towards a more subdued and padded auditory feedback.
Ultimately, both the Aqua King (V3) and the Huano Sakura showcase the impact of their respective housing materials on the overall typing experience. While the Aqua King benefits from the acoustically enhancing polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings—ultimately yielding a consistent sound signature—the Sakura's distinct combination of POK and nylon brings forth a unique sound profile with a balanced mix of smoothness and warmth. For users looking to dial in similar performance metrics—be it through responsive feel or audible feedback—the blend of materials in these switches exemplifies how sound and tactile qualities can be tailored to specific user preferences, regardless of their differences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch with the Huano Sakura linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King (V3) features an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, positioning it in the medium range for switch weights. In contrast, the Huano Sakura linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of just 45 grams. This significant difference indicates that the Sakura switch is better suited for users who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Meanwhile, the Aqua King's heavier forces provide a more substantial feel that some users might appreciate for a more tactile experience. Therefore, if you’re seeking a lighter switch for extended use, the Huano Sakura would be the preferable option, whereas the Everglide Aqua King may appeal to those who enjoy a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a clear difference. The Aqua King (V3) boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sakura has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Aqua King offers a more traditional feel, which some users may prefer for its deeper feedback. In contrast, the shorter travel distance of the Sakura may appeal to gamers or those who value quicker response times, as it allows for faster key actuation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference: if you enjoy a more pronounced depth when typing, the Aqua King (V3) would be the better option, while the Sakura is ideal for those seeking rapid actuation.
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 Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
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) provides a subdued auditory experience. This means when pressed, the switch emits a dampened sound, creating a more subtle sound signature compared to many other keyboard switches. This can be beneficial in environments where noise is a consideration. On the other hand, the specifics of the sound quality for the Huano Sakura linear switch are unknown, making it difficult to compare directly in this aspect. However, given the Sakura's characterization as ideal for extended typing sessions, it's possible that it also delivers a pleasant sound that won't become distracting during long use.
When evaluating the feel of the switches, the Aqua King (V3) excels with its unique combination of creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished characteristics. This switch allows for an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, reminiscent of gliding fingers over a luxurious surface, which minimizes friction and enhances comfort. In contrast, there is no detailed information provided about the specific tactile qualities of the Huano Sakura switch. However, the mention of its feather-light touch implies a level of ease that may provide a smooth typing experience as well, which could make it suitable for extended use.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Aqua King (V3) is well-defined in both sound and feel, boasting a subdued sound profile and a remarkably smooth typing experience, the Huano Sakura linear switch presents an unknown in terms of sound and tactile feedback. Nonetheless, its feather-light touch likely hints at a pleasant typing experience, potentially making it a viable option as well. If you're looking for a harmonious typing experience with a focus on smoothness, the Aqua King (V3) stands out, while the Sakura provides an intriguing alternative worth exploring further.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Aqua King (V3) or the Huano Sakura linear switch, your personal preferences and typical use cases should guide your decision. If you prioritize a smooth, luxurious typing experience and find joy in tactile sensations similar to gliding on ice, the Aqua King (V3), with its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, is undoubtedly the right choice for you. The creamy, frictionless feel combined with its subdued sound profile makes these switches excellent for both typing-intensive tasks and gaming, providing a refined experience that minimizes distraction. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that requires less effort to press, with a lighter bottom-out force of 45 grams, the Huano Sakura is ideal for extended typing sessions or if you tend to fatigue quickly. Its feather-light touch helps prevent strain during long hours of use while providing a medium acoustic signature that balances sound without being overwhelming. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing style, comfort, and the environment in which you use your keyboard.
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