Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Aqua King and the Wuque Studio WS Red, both of which are linear switches. The Aqua King is well-known for its frictionless feel, almost like gliding on ice, making typists feel like they're having a magical typing experience. With its subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished properties, this switch offers a smooth and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Red stands out for its bouncy and responsive typing experience, thanks to its 22mm double-stage spring. While it retains a familiar sound signature with its classic material blend, it comes with a slightly heavier actuation force, adding a touch of weight to each keystroke and resulting in a satisfying and substantial typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
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
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Everglide Aqua King and the Wuque Studio WS Red switch sets them apart in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. It is also transparent, making it perfect for use with RGB lighting. In contrast, the WS Red utilizes a nylon top housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Aqua King and WS Red switches differ in material and properties. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aqua King contributes to its sharp and crisp sound profile. It also shares the aesthetic advantages of translucency that the top housing offers. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the WS Red enhances the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic composition allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a different tactile and auditory experience compared to the Aqua King.
While the top and bottom housings of these switches differ, their overall impact on the typing experience should not be overlooked. The bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, whereas the top housing largely affects the sound when you release a key. Therefore, understanding the material composition of both the top and bottom housings is crucial in selecting the desired sound and feedback for your typing preferences.
In summary, the Everglide Aqua King and the Wuque Studio WS Red differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and experiences. The Aqua King's polycarbonate housings offer a sharper and clearer sound, while the WS Red's nylon housings produce a deeper and fuller sound. Aesthetically, the Aqua King's transparent polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting, while the WS Red's nylon provides a different visual appeal. Despite these differences, the overall impact on typing experience is split between the bottom and top housing materials, each contributing to the tactile and auditory feedback when pressing and releasing keys.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Aqua King is lighter with an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, both of which fall under the medium range. On the other hand, the WS Red's actuation force is unknown, but it has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, which is classified as medium-heavy.
For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Aqua King switch would be a suitable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it allows for prolonged typing sessions without causing excessive strain or fatigue. This lighter weight could be ideal for individuals who use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions.
In contrast, the WS Red switch offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. While the actuation force is unknown, it can be inferred that it would likely be in the medium-heavy range. For those who enjoy a stronger push feel when typing, the WS Red switch would be a better option, as the increased force required promotes a satisfying and tactile response.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference. Those seeking a lighter typing experience may opt for the Aqua King, while individuals desiring a more substantial feel may prefer the WS Red. However, it's important to note that both switches fall under the medium range, so while there are differences, the overall results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces will be similar.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Aqua King has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is a more traditional length, while the WS Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the WS Red the shorter option between the two. If you prefer a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the WS Red would be the better choice as its shorter travel distance allows for faster response times. However, for those who prefer a deeper, more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Aqua King's longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming 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 Red comes in at $3.50 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 sound when pressed. While not completely silent, it provides a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, there is no available information on the sound characteristics of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch. However, 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 used.
In terms of feel, the Aqua King switch is described as having a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. This means that the switch offers a smooth and buttery sensation while typing, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. It provides effortless key travel and a sleek, refined finish. In contrast, there is no available information on the feel of the WS Red switch.
In conclusion, based on the information provided, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a frictionless typing experience with a subdued sound. It creates a magical typing feel reminiscent of gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. While the specific qualities of the Wuque Studio WS Red switch in terms of sound and feel are unknown, it is important to consider other factors such as board and keycap choices to achieve desired results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium bottom out force, a frictionless and silky typing feel, and a subdued sound, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the perfect choice for you. Its smooth and effortless typing experience, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink, will provide you with a magical typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force, a bouncy and responsive typing experience, and a satisfying and substantial typing feel, then the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is the way to go. With its double-stage spring and touch of weight in each keystroke, you can expect a more pronounced and vibrant typing experience. While we don't have specific information on the sound signature of the WS Red, it is worth considering if you prioritize the typing feel over the sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, typing feel, and sound, so carefully consider your priorities before making a decision. In the end, both switches offer unique and enjoyable typing experiences, so you can't go wrong with either choice.