Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Strawberry both offer their unique advantages. The Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless feel, akin to effortlessly gliding across a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. Its typing experience is almost magical, making it a popular choice for those who value a subdued, creamy, and silky typing experience. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch entices users with its attractive pink and clear housings. Loved for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance, this switch falls into the low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished category. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can effectively decide on the best switch suited to your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Strawberry both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top and bottom housings. This choice of material produces similar results in terms of sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound, resulting in a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches.
However, if the top and bottom housings of a switch differ, it can impact the overall performance. In this case, the qualities brought by the bottom housing will affect the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater influence on the sound produced when the key is released. It is important to consider the individual characteristics of each housing material to achieve the desired sound experience.
Both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Strawberry prioritize the use of polycarbonate in their housing materials. This demonstrates the recognized benefits of this material in delivering a cleaner and more resonant sound profile. With their similar composition, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound quality and overall performance. Whether it's the bottom-out sound or the sound upon key release, these switches are designed to provide a satisfying auditory experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, we find some similarities and differences. Both switches have a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a satisfying level of resistance when typing. However, in terms of actuation force, the Aqua King requires 46 grams, while the Strawberry requires a slightly lighter force of 43 grams. This means that the Strawberry switch may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch when triggering keystrokes.
Considering weight, some users may prefer the Aqua King switch as it offers a slightly heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience. This can be ideal for individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel while typing. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch, with its lower actuation force, allows for longer typing sessions without causing excessive finger fatigue. This makes it a good choice for those who need to type for extended periods, such as during work or long gaming sessions. Overall, both switches offer a medium bottom out force, ensuring a satisfying typing experience, while the slight difference in actuation force allows users to select the switch that aligns with their preferred level of resistance.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance of travel for both switches. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile experience when using either switch.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 it comes to sound, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a subdued experience. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, which is not completely silent but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch provides a low-pitched sound. These switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant auditory experience, with the Aqua King being more subdued and the Strawberry having a low-pitched sound.
In terms of feel, both switches share several qualities. They are described as frictionless, silky, and polished. This means that they provide an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The switches offer a fluid travel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. Additionally, they can be considered "creamy" and "buttery," providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. This is likely due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. In both cases, typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, as they effortlessly melt into each keystroke. Overall, you can expect a silky and polished typing experience from both the Aqua King and Strawberry linear switches.
Considering all the available information, the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Strawberry linear switches offer similar subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. They both provide a smooth and frictionless typing experience, with a polished and silky sensation. However, the Aqua King has a more subdued sound, while the Strawberry has a low-pitched sound. These differences in sound can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Ultimately, both switches offer a magical typing experience with their smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have their own unique characteristics that make them appealing choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
If you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a magical and seamless typing experience, the Aqua King switch is the way to go. With its frictionless and creamy feel, typing on these switches will feel like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. The Aqua King switch has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a comfortable typing experience without being too heavy or too light. Additionally, the subdued sound signature of the Aqua King switch offers a more subtle and dampened sound when pressed, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience.
On the other hand, if you are seeking a switch with reliable performance and a smooth actuation, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is an excellent choice. With its low-pitched sound and frictionless, silky feel, typing on the Strawberry switch will provide a mellow and bass-heavy tone, ensuring a pleasant auditory experience. The Strawberry switch also shares the same bottom out force of 62 grams as the Aqua King, giving you a comfortable and consistent typing feel.
In summary, both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Strawberry linear switches offer exceptional typing experiences with their smooth and frictionless feels. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference - whether you prefer the Aqua King's ice-skating-like glide or the Strawberry's attractive pink and clear housing. Whichever switch you choose, you can expect a reliable and enjoyable typing experience.
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