Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King and Wuque Studio WS Morandi are two highly sought-after mechanical keyboard switches, both offering unique characteristics that appeal to keyboard enthusiasts. The Aqua King is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness, as described by users feeling like they are ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink while typing. With a frictionless and silky typing experience, it is no wonder that the Aqua King is categorized as subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches combine innovation with visual aesthetics, boasting an ultra-smooth linear design and a mesmerizing light diffusion effect through its unique light column. The UPE stem of the WS Morandi switches provides a dry, airy, and wispy smoothness, setting it apart from the creamy feel of factory-lubed alternatives. With a medium weight, slightly shortened total travel, and a long pole design, the WS Morandi strikes the perfect balance between form and function. Additionally, its slightly muted sound profile adds to the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can decide on the best switch for your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
UPE
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
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi have different housing materials for both the top and bottom of the switches. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the WS Morandi utilizes POM for both the top and bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the Aqua King's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the WS Morandi's POM housing produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This gives the switch a unique and pleasing sound profile.
Aesthetically, the Aqua King's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting. The WS Morandi's POM top housing, however, does not offer this translucency. While the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing may contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, the WS Morandi's POM bottom housing provides a deeper sound profile.
Overall, the different housing materials of the two switches result in contrasting sound characteristics. The Aqua King with its polycarbonate housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, while the WS Morandi's POM housing produces a unique and pleasing deep sound. However, if you are looking for a switch with both top and bottom housings made from the same material, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel, as the qualities of the housing material will be consistent throughout the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Morandi is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams, while the WS Morandi requires 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium force category, providing a balanced typing experience.
Considering weight, some users prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming, as it allows for more effortless keystrokes. In this case, the Aqua King - with its lighter actuation force - would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals prefer a stronger push feel, as it provides a more substantial typing experience. For these users, switches with heavier forces are ideal. Although the exact actuation force of the WS Morandi is unknown, with a bottom out force of 60 grams, it can be inferred that it offers a slightly heavier typing experience compared to the Aqua King.
In conclusion, while the Aqua King and WS Morandi have similar bottom out forces in the medium range, they differ in terms of actuation force. The Aqua King's known actuation force is lighter than the WS Morandi, allowing for potentially lighter and easier keystrokes. However, without the exact actuation force for the WS Morandi, it is difficult to make a direct comparison. Nonetheless, both switches offer a satisfying and balanced typing experience, catering to users who prefer slightly lighter or heavier forces.
Travel distance
When it comes to comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, there is a notable difference between the two. The Aqua King boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls into the category of a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the WS Morandi has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Aqua King provides a deeper press, giving users a more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys. In contrast, the WS Morandi's 3.5 mm travel distance offers a slightly shallower experience. This can be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker response times, as shorter travel distances are often preferred in the gaming community. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences and whether one favors a more responsive or a deeper keystroke experience.
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 Wuque Studio WS Morandi has an MSRP of $4.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Morandi for $3.90.
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
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch is known for its frictionless feel, giving a typing experience similar to skating on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. Your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, creating a magical sensation. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch boasts a unique dry, airy, and wispy smoothness thanks to its UPE stem. It offers a slightly muted sound profile compared to the Aqua King. When typing on the WS Morandi, users can expect a buttery and silky feel, with a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King provides a more subdued sound signature. While it is not completely silent, it offers a more subtle and dampened sound when compared to most switches. On the other hand, the WS Morandi offers a low-pitched and slightly thocky sound profile. It produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone when pressed. 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 chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Aqua King offers a creamy and frictionless typing experience. It glides smoothly and effortlessly, providing a silky sensation as your fingers effortlessly melt into each keystroke. It is described as polished and offers reduced friction, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Morandi provides a buttery and silky feel. It enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch offer exceptional smoothness in the typing experience. While the Aqua King focuses on a frictionless and ice-skating-like feel, the WS Morandi emphasizes a buttery and uniform sensation. They both provide a slightly muted sound profile, with the WS Morandi offering a low-pitched and slightly thocky sound. Overall, users can expect a smooth and satisfying typing experience from either switch, with slight variations in sound and feel depending on personal preference.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Aqua King linear switch or the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, both switches have a similar bottom out force of medium weight, with the Aqua King at 62 grams and the WS Morandi at 60 grams. However, if you value a typing experience that feels like ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink with frictionless gliding, then the Aqua King is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prioritize a unique visual aesthetic coupled with ultra-smooth linear switches that offer a slightly more muted sound profile, then the WS Morandi is the better choice.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King produces a more subdued and subtle sound when pressed, while the WS Morandi offers a low-pitched, subdued, and thocky sound profile. If you prefer a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the WS Morandi's low-pitched sound may be more appealing.
In regards to feel, the Aqua King is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. Conversely, the WS Morandi is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a seamless, uniform, and exceptionally smooth typing sensation. Both switches prioritize a smooth and fluid keystroke, but the Aqua King may offer a slightly different polished and refined finish.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Aqua King and Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a typing experience with frictionless gliding and a more subdued sound, the Aqua King is a solid choice. However, if you value a visually mesmerizing effect, with an ultra-smooth and slightly more muted sound, the WS Morandi may be the better fit. Consider your preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetics to make the decision that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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