Kailh BCP vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3

Overview

When choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh BCP and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 are two noteworthy options in the realm of linear switches. The Kailh BCP distinguishes itself with a reimagined design that combines a creamy, viscous, and elastic feel, which leads to an engaging typing experience characterized by a poppy and clacky sound profile. This makes the BCP an excellent choice for those who appreciate tactile feedback and a unique auditory experience while typing. Conversely, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offers a silky and seamless feel that emphasizes smooth keypresses, complemented by a high-pitched, clacky sound signature that adds character to every keystroke. Additionally, the innovative light diffuser in the Lightning Silver V3 enhances RGB illumination, making it a visually striking choice for gamers and aesthetics enthusiasts alike. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, ultimately providing distinct advantages depending on what you value most in your keyboard experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that's right for you.

By the numbers

Kailh BCP Linear

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

$5.00

$4.75 per 10

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The Kailh BCP and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 exhibit notable differences in their housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles and tactile characteristics. The Kailh BCP utilizes a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound. This is primarily due to nylon’s softer composition, which absorbs sound waves more effectively than harder plastics. As a result, when typing on the BCP, one experiences a more muted auditory feedback that many users find satisfying. Contrastingly, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing that delivers a sharper, crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for higher-pitched auditory feedback, resulting in a clearer and more resonant typing experience. Aesthetically, the BCP's opaque nylon contrasts with the Lightning Silver V3’s translucent polycarbonate, which not only enhances its visual appeal through RGB lighting but also underscores the acoustic differences between the two designs.

In terms of bottom housing, the Kailh BCP continues to utilize nylon, contributing to the same deep and rounded sound profile that characterizes its top housing. This consistency in material enhances the overall auditory experience by reinforcing the dampening qualities that come with nylon, making for a cohesive sound signature. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 incorporates polycarbonate in its bottom housing as well, resulting in a more aggressive, higher-pitched sound. Like the top, this polycarbonate bottom enhances the clarity of sound upon pressing the switch down while contributing to a more pronounced bottom-out feel. Users of the Lightning Silver V3 will appreciate the distinct auditory feedback during typing, characterized by clear resonances and sharper tones when keys are activated.

When the tops and bottoms of the Kailh BCP and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 are conflated, the overall acoustic experience of the switches reflects the unique contributions of each material. In a switch with nylon housing, like the BCP, the deeper tones dominate both the key press and the release, leading to a rounded sound profile throughout. Conversely, the combination of polycarbonate housings in the Lightning Silver V3 produces a more nuanced acoustic experience, where high-pitched sounds are emphasized both when pressing and releasing the keys. Ultimately, while each switch offers a different tactile and auditory output based on its materials, the interplay between bottom and top housings in both designs results in distinctive profiles that cater to varying preferences among typists and gamers.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge, illustrating varying preferences for tactile feedback during use. The BCP features an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 is lighter, with an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range. This difference means that users who favor a lighter switch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions will likely find the Lightning Silver V3 to be more suitable, while those who prefer a more substantial push and responsive feel may lean towards the Kailh BCP. While both switches comfortably accommodate a range of preferences, the BCP provides a heavier experience compared to the lighter feel of the Lightning Silver V3, allowing users to select based on their comfort and typing style.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is evident that they differ slightly. The Kailh BCP has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the longer option, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is the shorter of the two. This slight disparity may influence user experience; those who prefer a deeper feel while typing may favor the Kailh BCP for its additional 0.1 mm of travel, providing a more substantial keypress. Conversely, gamers who prioritize swift response times might opt for the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 since its shorter travel distance lends itself to quicker actuation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh BCP switch provides a signature poppy and clacky sound profile that creates an engaging typing atmosphere. This makes for a lively auditory experience, especially appealing to those who enjoy a more dynamic sound as they type. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched sound signature. This gives it a sharp and crisp auditory presence that can be enjoyed by users who prefer a brighter sound over deeper bassy tones. Both switches exhibit distinct auditory qualities, and the choice between them may ultimately come down to personal taste regarding the tonal characteristics of the typing sounds.

When it comes to feel, the Kailh BCP switch is noted for its creamy, viscous, elastic, and bouncy sensation, creating a typing experience that is both enjoyable and engaging. This unique tactile feedback can enhance the satisfaction of each keystroke. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a silky feel, promising an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. While the Kailh BCP focuses more on a bouncy and elastic feel, the Lightning Silver V3 prioritizes smoothness, leading to distinct typing sensations with their respective experiences.

In conclusion, both the Kailh BCP and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switches offer unique qualities in sound and feel that cater to different preferences. The BCP excels in delivering a lively clacky sound with a bouncy tactile experience, while the Lightning Silver V3 provides a sharper auditory output alongside a silky smooth feel. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value a poppy, bouncy typing experience versus a seamless, silky one paired with high-pitched auditory feedback.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between Kailh BCP linear switches and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy feel with a creamy and elastic typing experience, the Kailh BCP may be the ideal choice for you. Its unique poppy and clacky sound profile offers a distinctive auditory feedback that can make typing feel more engaging. This switch is particularly well-suited for typists who appreciate a bit of resistance and want a switch that provides a tactile sensation accompanied by a bit of auditory excitement. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with an ultra-smooth and silky feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 could be your go-to. With its medium bottom-out force and crisp, high-pitched sound signature, it provides a seamless typing experience that can help you type faster and more efficiently. Additionally, if aesthetic appeal and enhanced RGB illumination are important to you, the light diffuser in the Lightning Silver V3 is a standout feature. Ultimately, your decision may hinge on whether you prioritize auditory and tactile feedback or a smooth and visually appealing typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh BCP Linear

$5.00

$4.75 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

Learn more