Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow are two excellent options to consider. The Aqua King is known for its frictionless feel, providing a unique typing experience akin to gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. With its subdued and creamy characteristics, this switch offers a polished and silky touch. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow stands out with its captivating sound profile reminiscent of the collision of mahjong tiles. With a rich and bassy tone, typing becomes a decadent indulgence. Its medium-weight and unique POM stem ensure a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of short travel and a long-pole stem guarantees heightened responsiveness. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine which switch suits your preferences best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ in terms of the material used for both the top and bottom housing. The Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a visually appealing aesthetic.
On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow incorporates POM (polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housing. This material contributes to a distinct sound profile that leans towards the deeper side and is relatively more muted. POM housing creates a unique and pleasing sound when keys are pressed, offering a different auditory experience compared to the Aqua King's polycarbonate housings.
However, it is important to note that the impact of the housing material varies depending on whether it is the top or bottom housing. When pressing down on a key, the sensation and sound will be influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing, which is polycarbonate for the Aqua King and POM for the Sunset Yellow. Conversely, when releasing a key, the sound produced will be largely determined by the top housing, highlighting the differences in sound profile between the two switches.
In summary, while the Aqua King and Sunset Yellow share similarities in terms of their top and bottom housing materials, the distinctive characteristics of polycarbonate and POM contribute to contrasting sound profiles. The Aqua King produces a sharper and clearer sound due to its polycarbonate housing, whereas the Sunset Yellow offers a deeper and more muted sound with its POM housing. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on the desired sound aesthetic and individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Aqua King requires an actuation force of 46 grams, slightly higher than the Sunset Yellow's actuation force of 43 grams. Both falls within the medium range, offering a satisfying tactile feedback without being overly heavy.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King requires a force of 62 grams, while the Sunset Yellow requires a lighter force of 51 grams. This makes the Aqua King heavier in terms of bottoming out. For those seeking a more substantial typing experience or prefer a stronger push feel, the Aqua King would be the suitable choice. However, if one prefers a lighter touch and wants to reduce fatigue during longer typing sessions or gaming, the Sunset Yellow with its lower bottom out force would be a better option.
Considering weight is important as it affects one's typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter switch, such as the Sunset Yellow, would appreciate its ability to allow for longer periods of comfortable typing. This becomes particularly significant when using a keyboard for extended work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces like the Aqua King.
In conclusion, while the actuation force is slightly different between the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, both switches offer a medium range that provides a satisfying tactile feedback. The Aqua King is heavier in terms of bottom out force, providing a stronger push feel, while the Sunset Yellow is lighter in comparison, reducing fatigue during extended use. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch to the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Aqua King has a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Aqua King's 4.0 mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, providing a more substantial depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow's 3.2 mm travel distance is shallower and more preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. While both switches offer distinct advantages, the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and the desired level of responsiveness or depth when typing or gaming.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Aqua King switch is best described as subdued. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch has a bassy sound profile, characterized by a deeper and richer sound with a lower frequency range. It can be likened to the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, it has a thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, both the Everglide Aqua King and Sunset Yellow switches share similar qualities. They are described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This smoothness can be attributed to lubricant applied in the switches at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on these switches gives a silky sensation, as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, providing ease and precision in each keystroke. Additionally, both switches are described as frictionless, minimizing resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Moreover, the switches are polished, offering a sleek and refined finish that enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel. This is achieved through reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, the Everglide Aqua King and Sunset Yellow switches share many subjective qualities. They both provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, commonly referred to as creamy, and offer an effortless and frictionless typing feel. However, they differ in terms of sound profile, with the Aqua King having a more subdued sound while the Sunset Yellow has a deeper and richer bassy sound with thocky characteristics. If the desired typing experience is based on smoothness, both switches will provide similar results. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and potentially the specific board and keycaps being used.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a keyboard switch with a medium bottom out force and a frictionless typing feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is a great choice for you. Its medium weight allows for a satisfying amount of resistance without being too heavy, and its smooth and effortless typing experience will make you feel like you're gliding across the keys. Additionally, the Aqua King offers a subdued sound profile, which is perfect if you prefer a more subtle typing sound.
On the other hand, if you want a medium-light switch with a captivating sound profile and a distinct gliding feel, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch is the way to go. Its lower bottom out force provides a lighter typing experience suitable for a wide range of users. The Sunset Yellow switch produces a rich and bassy sound, reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, creating an indulgent typing experience. Furthermore, its unique POM stem and factory lube method contribute to a smoother feel while its short travel and long-pole stem ensure a sharper and highly responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, both switches offer a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience thanks to the lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Therefore, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and the Sunset Yellow switches depends on whether you prefer a medium or medium-light bottom out force, and whether you favor a subdued sound or a rich and bassy sound. Consider your personal preferences and typing style when making your decision. Happy typing!
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