Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g stand as compelling options for linear switch enthusiasts, each offering a unique typing experience. The Aqua King (V3) is celebrated for its exceptionally smooth and frictionless feel, akin to gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice rink, resulting in an incredibly satisfying and nearly effortless typing journey. Its design aims to create a subdued and creamy sensation, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed and fluidity in their keystrokes. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g excels in providing a remarkably quiet typing environment, evoking the calming sound of raindrops tapping on a window. With its ultra-light bottom-out force of just 43 grams, this switch caters to light typists needing a gentle touch for a serene workspace. Both switches bring their own merits to the table—whether you seek the exhilarating smoothness of the Aqua King or the peaceful elegance of the Silent Sakura. 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
37g
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
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly affects the overall auditory experience each switch offers. The Aqua King (V3) utilizes polycarbonate for its upper housing, resulting in a sharp, high-pitched, and clear sound profile. This stiffer plastic enables excellent resonance and clarity, especially notable when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a nylon top housing that evokes a much deeper, fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound better than polycarbonate, leading to a rounder audio experience. The differences in material composition will cater to varying preferences, with the Aqua King appealing to those who favor a crisp sound and the Silent Sakura offering a more mellow auditory profile.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, both switches adopt polycarbonate, creating a shared characteristic of sharper, higher-pitched sound. This means that even though the top housing materials differ, the Aqua King (V3) and Silent Sakura - 43g will provide similar audio responses when it comes to the bottoming-out sound, due to the polycarbonate's inherent properties. The sharper resonance from the polycarbonate bottom holds true for both switches, which is important for users who appreciate clarity and articulation in key presses. Therefore, despite the contrasting top housing materials, the polycarbonate bottom ensures that both switches maintain a consistent auditory experience in certain respects.
The overall experience of using these switches ultimately hinges on the harmonious blend of their materials. With the Aqua King (V3) leveraging the advantageous properties of polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings, users can expect a united sound profile focused on clarity. Meanwhile, the Silent Sakura - 43g's combination of nylon and polycarbonate will deliver a unique balance where the deep tones of the nylon top are countered by the clearer polycarbonate bottom. This interplay illustrates how each switch's design influences the tactile and auditory responses of users, ensuring that regardless of the differences in material, enthusiasts can appreciate a variety of typing experiences based on personal preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, there are notable differences. The Aqua King (V3) has a heavier actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, contributing to a more substantial typing feel that some users may prefer for a more tactile experience. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a less strenuous typing experience, particularly during extended use. Therefore, the Aqua King (V3) is the heavier option, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is lighter, allowing users to achieve different typing dynamics based on their preferences. Both switches provide unique experiences, with the Aqua King offering a firmer feel and the Silent Sakura catering to users who favor a lighter touch.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch have identical travel distances of 4 mm. This means that users will experience the same amount of key travel when pressing down on these switches, resulting in similar tactile feedback and responsiveness. Given their equal travel distances, both switches can provide a consistent typing experience, making them suitable for various preferences, whether for gaming or typing. Thus, if you're looking for a switch with a specific travel distance, either option will deliver the same performance in that regard.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
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 considering the sound profile, the Everglide Aqua King (V3) offers a subdued auditory experience. This switch produces a dampened sound when pressed, which makes it less intrusive than many traditional switches, though it is not completely silent. This characteristic can provide a more pleasant typing environment, especially in shared spaces. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g is designed for an ultra-quiet operation, reminiscent of gentle raindrops tapping against a window. It aims to create a serene typing atmosphere, making it particularly suitable for those who prefer silence while typing. However, it’s important to note that sound output can also vary depending on other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of tactile feel, the Aqua King (V3) stands out with its uniquely creamy and frictionless typing experience. The combination of creamy, silky, and polished sensations results in an exceptionally smooth key travel that feels almost like gliding over the keys. This creates a typing environment where fingers flow effortlessly across the keyboard. Meanwhile, details regarding the feel of the Silent Sakura - 43g remain unspecified, leaving it unclear how it would compare in terms of tactile experience. The 43g bottom-out force suggests it is designed for lighter typists, which could imply a smoother action as well, although the lack of specific descriptors makes direct comparisons difficult.
Overall, both the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g cater to distinct preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches. The Aqua King offers a subtly sound-dampened yet luxuriously smooth typing experience ideal for those who value fluidity and refinement. In contrast, the Silent Sakura targets typists seeking an extremely quiet interaction with their keyboard, perhaps at the expense of specific tactile feedback features. Both switches can contribute to a pleasant typing experience, but the choice ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize sound reduction or a more luxurious tactile feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Aqua King (V3) linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and environment. If you find joy in a typing experience that feels exceptionally smooth and effortless, akin to gliding on ice, the Aqua King (V3) is an excellent option. With its medium 62g bottom out force, it's tailored for typists who prefer a bit more tactile feedback and resistance, allowing for quicker keystrokes without feeling fatigued. On the other hand, if you value quietness and ease of use, especially in shared or noise-sensitive environments, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g would be more suitable for you. Its ultra-light 43g bottom out force ensures a gentle touch, making it a top choice for those who prefer a serene typing atmosphere. Moreover, the unique design of the Silent Sakura provides a discreet experience without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions. Ultimately, your decision should align with your typing style, desired sound levels, and the specific setting in which you'll typically be using your keyboard.
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