Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Sea Glass. The Aqua King is known for its frictionless and silky typing experience, reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. With a subdued and creamy feel, this linear switch offers a polished and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock captivates users with its eye-catching pastel colors. This linear switch provides a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness to its typing experience, while still maintaining a smoothness that exceeds expectations. With a weight of 62g and a feather-like weightlessness, the Sea Glass switches are easy to press yet offer a satisfying bottom-out force. Additionally, these switches produce a unique hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make the best decision in choosing the right switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Sea Glass switches have both similarities and differences. Both switches utilize unique materials in their top housing, but they differ in terms of the specific materials used.
The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This translucent material is especially useful if you plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting effects to shine through. On the other hand, the Sea Glass incorporates a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing. This unique blend provides a sound profile that is pleasant and leans towards the brighter side.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Aqua King and Sea Glass also have distinct materials. The Aqua King's bottom housing is made of polycarbonate, which contributes to the clear and resonant sound profile. Similarly, the Sea Glass utilizes a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its bottom housing, resulting in a unique sound profile that is not particularly sharp but still pleasant.
When it comes to the impact of the housing materials on the overall switch experience, the bottom housing plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The top housing, on the other hand, has more influence on the sound produced when letting go of a key. While the specific materials differ between the Aqua King and Sea Glass, the general principles regarding the influence of the top and bottom housing materials remain the same for both switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, the actuation forces and bottom out forces are relatively similar. The Aqua King has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 45 grams. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the typing experience on both switches would be fairly similar in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke and the pressure exerted when pressing all the way down.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Everglide Aqua King would be the better option as it has a lower actuation force. This lighter actuation force allows for longer typing periods, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Durock Sea Glass might provide a better choice. Its slightly higher actuation force would provide a more satisfying feedback when typing. However, it is important to note that both switches have the same bottom out force, meaning that the overall pressure required to fully press the switch is equal in both cases.
In conclusion, while there are slight differences in the actuation force between the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches, both switches offer a similar bottom out force. The choice between the two would mainly depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation force for their typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with 4 mm being the more common choice. However, the Sea Glass offers a slightly shallower travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of the Sea Glass too abrupt, and would prefer the more hearty depth of the Aqua King switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend 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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 described as subdued. This means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch has a uniquely hollow sound signature. While the Aqua King's sound is known to be subdued, the sound of the Sea Glass switch is not specified in the available information. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Aqua King and Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless typing experience. The Aqua King switch is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These descriptors indicate that it provides a smooth and buttery typing experience with reduced friction, effortless key travel, and an overall refined finish. Similarly, the Sea Glass switch is also described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. This suggests that it offers a gentle, light, and low-impact typing experience with minimal resistance, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. These qualities of both switches are similar, resulting in a smooth and effortless typing feel.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Aqua King and Durock Sea Glass switches offer frictionless typing experiences with smooth and effortless key travel. While the Aqua King is known for its ice-skating-like feel and subdued sound, the Sea Glass stands out with its captivating pastel colors, distinct dryness, and hollow sound signature. It's important to consider personal preferences and factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps when deciding between these switches, but based on the available information, both switches offer similar subjective qualities in terms of feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience for newcomers.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a frictionless and ice-skating-like typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the one for you. Its medium bottom out force of 62 grams provides a comfortable typing feel without being too heavy. The Aqua King is known for its smooth and effortless glide, creating a magical typing experience. It is also described as creamy, silky, and polished, offering a sleek and refined typing experience. In terms of sound, the Aqua King is described as subdued, producing a dampened and subtle sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you prefer a typing experience that emanates dryness, wispiness, and airiness, then the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the choice for you. Like the Aqua King, it also has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which falls into the medium range. The Sea Glass switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, providing a unique and frictionless typing experience. They are described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, offering a gentle and comfortable typing feel. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature.
Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch comes down to your personal preference for the typing experience. Both switches offer a frictionless and smooth feel, but the Aqua King leans more towards creamy and polished sensations, while the Sea Glass emphasizes dryness and airiness. Consider the sound signature and weightlessness of the switches as well when making your decision. Choose the switch that aligns best with your desired typing experience and enjoy the magic of mechanical keyboard switches.
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