Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for typists. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is renowned for its frictionless typing feel, akin to gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. With its subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished characteristics, this switch truly creates a magical typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is also a linear switch, but it offers a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience. The lengthened single-stage spring in this switch delivers a bouncy feel with each keystroke, striking a balance with its standard spring weight that makes it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. While these generalities provide a glimpse into each switch's appeal, let's dive in a bit deeper to help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature polycarbonate as the material for their top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing on the keyboard. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to be effectively displayed, making it ideal for those who want to customize their keyboard's lighting effects.
While both switches share these similarities in their top and bottom housings, the differences may lie in their design and visual appeal. The Aqua King and the Tourmaline Blue may have different aesthetics despite both using polycarbonate. This could be due to variations in the color or the overall design of the housings. However, in terms of sound and feel, users can expect similar results from both switches due to their shared use of polycarbonate.
When it comes to the impact of the housing materials on typing experience, the division of qualities between the top and bottom housings is worth noting. Pressing down on a key will result in the qualities of the bottom housing being felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Understanding this distinction can help users fine-tune their typing experience based on their desired sound and feel preferences.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue utilize polycarbonate in their top and bottom housings, providing similar outcomes in terms of sound and performance. While visual differences may exist, the impact of the housing materials can be felt differently depending on whether users are pressing down on a key or releasing it. Ultimately, these switches offer a high-quality typing experience with the benefits of polycarbonate housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Aqua King has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams, making it a better choice for those who prefer a lighter touch. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force, while the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier at 67 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue offers a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Although both switches fall within the medium range for actuation force, the difference in bottom out force allows for a noticeable distinction between the two. If one prefers a light actuation force with a medium bottom out force, the Aqua King would be the ideal option. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a heavier actuation and bottom out force, the Tourmaline Blue would be the better choice. Overall, the weight of the switches plays a significant role in determining the typing experience, and different preferences may lead to choosing one switch over the other.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch are both 4 mm, making them equal in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience a similar travel distance of 4mm, providing consistent tactile feedback and key response. Although the travel distances are the same, it's worth noting that other factors such as actuation force, actuation point, and overall switch design may still differentiate the two switches in terms of typing experience and feel.
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 Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 switch is best described as subdued. This means that when the switch is pressed, it produces a dampened sound. While it's not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most other switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. The sound produced by the Tourmaline Blue switch is not overly loud or quiet, striking a balance that many find enjoyable. 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 chosen.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King switch offers a few different descriptors. It is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These words all point to a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Aqua King switch provides a sensation of gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, with minimal resistance or friction. This creates a silky and polished typing experience that many users find enjoyable. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with gentle resistance during key presses. The light actuation force required to activate the Tourmaline Blue switch makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, these switches provide a responsive and low-impact typing feel that is approachable to most users.
When comparing the subjective qualities of the Everglide Aqua King and Tourmaline Blue switches, it is clear that they offer different experiences. The Aqua King is known for its frictionless and smooth typing feel, creating a magical and effortless typing experience. It has a subdued sound profile, offering a more subtle sound compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a buttery and easy-to-press feel, with a bouncy sensation for each keystroke. It has a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between loudness and quietness. Both switches offer enjoyable typing experiences, but each caters to different preferences. If you are looking for a smooth and frictionless feel with a more subtle sound, the Aqua King would be a great choice. If you prefer a buttery and easy-to-press feel with a moderate sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue switch would be suitable.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a frictionless and smooth typing experience, with a medium bottom-out force, the Aqua King switch is the perfect choice for you. The Aqua Kings offer a magical and effortless typing feel, as if you are gliding your fingers across the keys on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. Additionally, the Aqua Kings provide a subdued sound profile, offering a more subtle and dampened sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a satisfying and immersive typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Tourmaline Blue switch is the ideal option. These switches offer a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in each keystroke. With a lengthened single-stage spring, they provide a bouncy feel that strikes a balance between accessibility and enjoyment for a wide range of users. The Tourmaline Blues also have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various settings and user levels.
Consider the Aqua King for a creamy, frictionless, silky, or polished feel, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a buttery, easy-to-press, or mild typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide exceptional qualities that enhance your typing experience. Whether you prefer a smoother and quieter feel, or a more satisfying and immersive sound, the Everglide Aqua King and Tourmaline Blue switches are designed to cater to your needs and provide a fantastic typing experience.
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