SP-Star Ayara vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out: the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Sakura Pink. While both switches are linear in nature, they offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ayara switches are renowned for their medium heftiness, making them ideal for those who prefer a satisfyingly sturdy typing experience. With a soft bottom-out feel and a satisfyingly clacky sound profile, these switches provide a distinctive and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are incredibly lightweight, boasting a feather-light 35g actuation force. Perfect for delicate typists, they offer a gliding type feel and frictionless operation that translates into a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Sakura Pink, specifically nylon and polycarbonate, bring about distinct differences in sound profile and aesthetic appeal. The Ayara's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Sakura Pink's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound with a higher pitch. Its relatively stiffer plastic enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it a preferred choice for those planning to use RGB lighting, adding to the switch's visual appeal. These differences in sound and aesthetic contribute to a unique typing experience between the two switches.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Ayara and Sakura Pink, nylon and polycarbonate respectively, have their own impact on the switch's sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Ayara creates a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound due to its softer plastic, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder tone. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink generates a sharper and crisper sound with a higher pitch. The relatively stiffer polycarbonate plastic enhances clarity and resonance, creating a distinct sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it visually appealing, especially when combined with RGB lighting. By splitting the qualities between the top and bottom housing materials, the switch's overall sound and feel are distinct when pressing down or letting go of a key.
Considering the contrasting qualities they bring, the nylon and polycarbonate housing materials of the Ayara and Sakura Pink, respectively, create unique typing experiences. While the Ayara emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon housing, the Sakura Pink stands out with its sharper, crisper sound and greater clarity thanks to its polycarbonate construction. However, it is worth mentioning that if the top and bottom housings of a switch are the same material, such as both being nylon or polycarbonate, the resulting sound and feel will be similar throughout the press and release of a key. Whether one prefers the dull and round tone of nylon or the sharp and resonant sound of polycarbonate, these differences offer users the opportunity to choose a housing material that best suits their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it is evident that they have distinct characteristics. The Ayara switch has an actuation force of an unknown weight, which makes it difficult to compare directly. However, its bottom out force is measured at 62 grams, which can be considered medium in terms of key press resistance. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This indicates that the Sakura Pink switch requires less force to trigger a keystroke and offers a slightly lighter typing experience compared to the Ayara switch.
Considering the weight of the switches, some users may prefer a lighter switch like the Sakura Pink as it allows for extended typing sessions without causing fatigue or strain. This lightweight characteristic would be especially suitable for individuals who use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions. However, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces, such as the Ayara switch. This heavier actuation force can provide a stronger push feel, which some users may find more satisfying.
In conclusion, the Ayara and Sakura Pink switches differ in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Ayara switch's actuation force remains unknown, but it has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch has a light actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Each switch offers a unique typing experience, with the Sakura Pink being lighter and more suitable for extended usage, while the Ayara provides a heavier and more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have identical travel distances of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will experience the same distance traveled by both switches. Whether you choose the Ayara or Sakura Pink, you can expect a consistent and familiar tactile sensation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink 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 SP-Star Ayara linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile. It produces a moderate sound when pressed, making it suitable for most purposes. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch produces a muted sound. It is designed to be softer and quieter compared to regular switches, minimizing the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. While the Ayara switch is medium in terms of pitch, the Sakura Pink switch offers a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, bringing a playful touch to your typing sessions. 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 SP-Star Ayara switch is described as polished. This means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The materials used and potential factory lubing contribute to reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a buttery and creamy typing experience. It provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation, as if you are gliding your fingers across the keys. Additionally, the Sakura Pink switch is easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing comfortable and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Furthermore, it offers a frictionless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Overall, both switches provide a smooth and pleasant typing experience with their respective qualities.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Ayara and Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches have distinct subjective qualities. The Ayara switch offers a clacky sound profile and a medium heftness that suits those who prefer a hearty typing experience. It has a polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch produces a delightful poppy sound, suitable for delicate typists. Its light actuation force, buttery and creamy feel, as well as frictionless operation, provide a smooth and effortless typing experience. While they have different qualities, both switches prioritize smoothness and offer a pleasant typing experience. Depending on individual preferences and typing style, either switch can deliver satisfying results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you prefer a hearty typing experience with a medium actuation force, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is the way to go. These switches provide a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile, making your typing sessions satisfyingly tactile. They are best suited for those who enjoy a more neutral sound profile and a polished, sleek typing experience.
On the other hand, if you are a delicate typist who prefers a smoother and effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is the perfect choice. With a feather-light actuation force of 45 grams, these switches offer a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation. The Sakura Pinks produce a muted sound, minimizing the noise often associated with mechanical keyboards. Additionally, they provide a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions.
To summarize, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is recommended for those seeking a medium heftness and clacky sound profile, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is ideal for delicate typists who desire a smooth and effortless typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics and cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches boils down to individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience you seek.
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