Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Red. The Aqua King switch is renowned for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. With a typing experience that can only be described as magical, these linear switches provide a subdued, creamy, and silky touch. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch offers a seamless typing experience without all the noise. Ideal for office or shared living spaces, these switches have a muted sound profile and a consistently smooth feel from top to bottom. With a padded bottom-out feel, they prioritize maximum comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch suits you best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Red both utilize polycarbonate in their top housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Due to the translucency of polycarbonate, it is especially beneficial if RGB lighting is incorporated into the switch design. Aesthetically speaking, the clear housing of both switches is likely to be polycarbonate. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and appearance when using the Aqua King or the Silent Red.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Everglide Aqua King and the TTC Silent Red differ in their choice of materials. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, similar to its top housing, contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Conversely, the Silent Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing. This classic switch housing material produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound for the Silent Red. Therefore, there is a notable contrast between the impact of the bottom housing on the sound and feel of each switch.
When considering the overall experience of using these switches, it is important to understand the impact of the top and bottom housings. Both switches share the benefits of using polycarbonate in the top housing, which affects the sound when releasing a key. However, the bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. While the Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate for both housings, the Silent Red features a combination of polycarbonate and nylon. As a result, users can expect differences in sound and tactile feedback between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are slight differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Silent Red has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category, providing a comfortable level of resistance for typing and gaming. In terms of bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force, while the Silent Red is slightly heavier with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This puts the Silent Red in the medium-heavy range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King may be the better choice as it has a slightly lighter actuation force. This can be beneficial for prolonged typing sessions or for those who prefer a more effortless keystroke. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. This can be appealing to individuals seeking a stronger push feel while typing.
Overall, the differences in actuation force and bottom out force between the Everglide Aqua King and TTC Silent Red are relatively small. Both switches offer a medium level of resistance, ensuring a comfortable typing and gaming experience. Whether one prefers a slightly lighter or heavier switch depends on personal preference and the desired typing feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that they have slight differences. The Aqua King has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the more traditional option, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Aqua King offers a slightly deeper keypress, while the Silent Red provides a more shallow feel. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference. Gamers, for example, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, so they may opt for the Silent Red. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress experience may lean towards the Aqua King with its longer travel distance. Overall, the variation in travel distance allows individuals to choose between a more responsive or a deeper keypress sensation.
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 Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 linear switch produces a subdued sound when pressed. While it is not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is described as producing a muted sound. This means it has a softer and quieter sound profile compared to regular or clacky switches. Both switches aim to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them suitable for office or shared living space use. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished qualities. These switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience. They minimize any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, ensuring a fluid and effortless typing sensation. The Aqua Kings quite literally feel frictionless, creating a magical typing experience akin to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice rink. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is described as having a buttery, mild, and polished feel. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The typing experience is described as approachable and gentle, standing in a safe middle-ground zone. Both switches prioritize smoothness and reduced friction, resulting in a sleek typing experience.
Considering all the available information, it can be concluded that both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch aim to provide a smooth and seamless typing experience. They both prioritize minimizing noise and offer a muted or subdued sound profile. In terms of feel, they share qualities such as a polished finish, reduced friction, smooth key travel, and a buttery sensation. While the specific details may differ, it is safe to say that both switches offer similar results in terms of their subjective qualities. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on other factors such as personal preference, keyboard compatibility, and intended use.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a medium feel with a typing sensation reminiscent of gliding on ice. While not completely silent, the Aqua King switch produces a subdued sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent and comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the perfect choice. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these medium-heavy switches offer a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom. The Silent Reds have a muted sound profile, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on your preference for either a frictionless or a silent typing experience.
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