Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to finding the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two notable options that often come up in conversations are the Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Frozen. On one hand, the Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless and silky typing experience, making it feel as though you're effortlessly gliding across a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. Its characteristics include a subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen boasts an extremely quiet sound profile, along with a pillowy type feel that adds to its overall smoothness. With its characteristics including thocky, low-pitched, creamy, buttery, muted, feathery, subtle, and polished, typing on the Silent Frozen can be a tranquil and satisfying experience. 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
39g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Frozen both utilize polycarbonate as their housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. This shared material choice allows for similar results in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those looking for a clear and resonant typing experience. Additionally, its translucency is especially advantageous for users who plan to use RGB lighting, as the light can pass through the housing, creating visually appealing effects.
While the housing materials of both switches are the same, it is important to note that the bottom and top housings each play a distinct role in the overall sound and feel of a switch. When pressing down on either the Aqua King or the Silent Frozen, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more noticeable. The stiffer polycarbonate material of the bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a tactile feedback that typists and gamers alike may appreciate. On the other hand, the top housing, which is also made of polycarbonate in both switches, will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key, resulting in a consistent and satisfying typing experience.
In summary, both the Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Frozen share the same polycarbonate housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. This choice of material ensures a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for those seeking a clear and resonant typing experience. The translucency of polycarbonate also allows for the use of RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the switches. Additionally, while the top and bottom housings contribute to different aspects of the typing experience, they both play a crucial role in delivering a satisfying and consistent feel.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, one noticeable difference is in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aqua King has a medium actuation force of 46 grams, indicating that it requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Silent Frozen has a lighter actuation force of 39 grams, making it easier to activate. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Aqua King has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, which contributes to a lighter overall typing feel. So, if users prefer a lighter switch with easier actuation and bottoming out, the Silent Frozen would be a suitable choice. However, those who desire a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience could opt for the Aqua King.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Aqua King is slightly longer than the Silent Frozen. A 4.0 mm travel distance is considered more traditional and offers a deeper feel when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Silent Frozen is slightly shorter, making it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize faster response times. While both switches offer a satisfying travel distance, the Aqua King provides a deeper and more substantial sensation, while the Silent Frozen offers a slightly shallower and more responsive experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of key depth and 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 TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.55.
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 linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel.
In terms of sound, the 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 Silent Frozen switch is described as thocky, low-pitched, and muted. It produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, with a bass-heavy and mellow tone. The Silent Frozen switch also minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
In terms of feel, both switches share the quality of being creamy and polished. This indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek and buttery typing experience. The switches offer a silky sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Aqua King switch is also described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. The Silent Frozen switch, on the other hand, is described as buttery and feathery. It provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, with an exceptionally light press that reduces finger fatigue and strain.
Based on the available information, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch have different sound profiles and slightly different feels. The Aqua King switch provides a more subdued sound and a frictionless typing experience that feels like ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch offers a thocky, low-pitched, and muted sound, with a buttery and feathery typing experience. While they share some qualities such as being creamy and polished, the overall experience will differ.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience that resembles ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a medium resistance, resulting in a satisfying typing feel. Although the Aqua King is not completely silent, it produces a subdued sound that is more subtle compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if you prioritize quietness and a light typing feel, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of only 43 grams, these switches require minimal exertion from your fingers, reducing fatigue during long typing sessions. The Silent Frozen switches are lauded for their extremely quiet sound profile, characterized by a thocky and low-pitched sound that minimizes the noise typical of mechanical keyboards.
Both switches offer a creamy and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. Whether you prefer the Aqua King's frictionless and silky sensation or the Silent Frozen's feathery and subtle resistance, both switches provide a fluid travel and effortless keystrokes.
Ultimately, your decision between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences and priorities. Consider whether you value a certain sound profile, typing feel, or bottom out force. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your typing experience.
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