Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that provide unique typing experiences are the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Wine Red. The Aqua King switch is best known for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on ice at an ice skating rink. Typing on these switches creates a magical experience, with the keys feeling subdued, creamy, and silky. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch offers a different experience, with a pillowy light typing feel and a deep, rich sound profile. These switches are categorized as bassy and low-pitched. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Wine Red both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, which results in a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting.
Since both the Aqua King and the Wine Red feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings, users can expect similar results in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The stiffer plastic of polycarbonate will contribute to a clear and resonant sound when typing on either switch. Furthermore, its translucency allows for the illumination of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches.
However, if the top and bottom housings of a switch differ, there may be a division in the qualities each housing material brings. In this case, pressing down on the switch will emphasize the characteristics of the bottom housing, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the sound experienced when releasing a key will be influenced by the qualities of the top housing. Understanding the distribution of these housing materials can help users discern the specific qualities they desire in a switch and choose accordingly.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are both similarities and differences to note. In terms of actuation force, the Aqua King requires 46 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Wine Red requires slightly less at 44 grams. This means that the Wine Red will be slightly more sensitive and easier to actuate.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force to fully press the key down, while the Wine Red is lighter at 55 grams. This indicates that the Aqua King provides a slightly more substantial typing experience, as it requires a stronger push to fully bottom out the keys.
Considering the weight, both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range. However, if a lighter switch is preferred for longer typing or gaming sessions, the Wine Red would be the better choice due to its slightly lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, if a user prefers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Aqua King, with its slightly higher forces, would be the suitable option. It is important to note that while the differences in forces between the two switches are not significant, they can still provide a noticeable variation in tactile experience. Overall, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Wine Red ultimately depends on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when comparing and contrasting different options. In the case of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel the same 4 mm distance of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Wine Red provide similar results.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, the Aqua King is described as having a subdued sound. This means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Wine Red is described as having a bassy sound profile, characterized by a deeper and richer tone during key presses. It also tends to have a lower-pitched and more mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished qualities. These switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, with lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials contributing to their glide. Typing on Aqua King switches is like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys, as they effortlessly melt into each keystroke. In contrast, the feel of the Wine Red switches is not provided, but based on the available information on the sound profile being deep and rich, it can be inferred that they may offer a pillowy light type feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have distinct subjective qualities. The Aqua King provides a frictionless and silky typing experience, akin to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. Its sound is described as subdued, showcasing a more subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches are praised for their intoxicating and satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, but information regarding their feel is unavailable. If you are looking for a typing experience similar to the Aqua King, you can expect comparable feel results from the Wine Red, with a potential pillowy light type feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In summary, if you value a frictionless typing experience that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, it provides a medium level of resistance that allows for comfortable typing. The Aqua King is also described as having a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. Additionally, it offers a subdued sound profile, which is more subtle and dampened compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is the ideal option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light level of resistance that allows for effortless typing. Although there is no specific description of its feel, the Wine Red's sound is characterized as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and KTT Wine Red switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a frictionless typing experience with a subdued sound profile, the Aqua King is the way to go. On the other hand, if you value a pillowy light type feel and a deep, rich sound profile, the Wine Red switch is the better option. Consider what aspects are most important to you in a keyboard switch and make your decision accordingly.
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