Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Cherry MX Black both offer unique features and qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is favored for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a smooth and seamless typing experience. Additionally, the light diffuser adds a colorful element to any setup, making it visually appealing. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black boasts Cherry's renowned Hyperglide tooling, delivering a classic textured smoothness with a deep sound profile. While the Lightning Silver V3 is categorized as 'Clacky,' 'High-pitched,' and 'Silky,' the MX Black is labeled as 'Low-pitched,' 'Textured,' and 'Stiff.' Both switches have their distinct advantages, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you choose the best one for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Cherry MX Black switches have distinct housing materials that affect the sound profile and feel of the switches. The Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp, high-pitched sound with a clear and resonant profile, ideal for RGB lighting setups. In contrast, the MX Black's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound with a duller and rounder profile due to its softer material. While both materials have their own unique characteristics, they cater to different sound preferences and aesthetic needs.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing mirrors the qualities of its top housing, creating a sharp and crisp sound profile when pressed down. In comparison, the MX Black's nylon bottom housing continues to deliver a deeper and fuller sound, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. The differences in material properties between the polycarbonate and nylon housings contribute to the overall sound experience of each switch, catering to different typing preferences.
Overall, the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Cherry MX Black switches offer unique sound profiles and tactile experiences. While the polycarbonate top and bottom housings of the Lightning Silver V3 create a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, the nylon top and bottom housings of the MX Black emphasize a deeper and fuller sound. By understanding the impact of different housing materials on sound and feel, users can choose switches that best suit their typing preferences and aesthetic preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, we find some notable differences. The Lightning Silver V3 has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, making it more responsive and easier to trigger keystrokes compared to the MX Black's heavier 60 grams actuation force. Additionally, the bottom out force for the Lightning Silver V3 is also lighter at 60 grams, while the MX Black requires a heavier 80 grams force to fully press the key. This means that the MX Black provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile response. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a lighter touch, ideal for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience for extended periods. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is shorter than the Cherry MX Black linear switch's 4 mm travel distance. The Lightning Silver V3 offers a more responsive typing experience, making it ideal for gamers looking for fast response times. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch provides a deeper travel distance, which may feel more satisfying for those who prefer a more pronounced key press. Both switches offer smooth linear actuation, but the Lightning Silver V3 has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Cherry MX Black. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, giving a sharp and crisp typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch produces a lower-pitched sound, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone when typing. Both switches have different sound characteristics that can impact the overall typing experience, with the Lightning Silver V3 providing a more vibrant and bright sound compared to the deeper sound of the MX Black.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is known for its silky smooth typing experience, which minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This switch offers an exceptionally smooth feel that enhances the overall typing comfort. In contrast, the Cherry MX Black switch is described as textured and stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom out compared to other switches. The MX Black switch may offer a more tactile typing experience for those who prefer a bit of resistance when typing.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it is clear that the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Cherry MX Black linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Lightning Silver V3 provides a clacky, high-pitched sound with a silky smooth feel, the MX Black delivers a deep, low-pitched sound with a more textured and stiff typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing ease. If you prefer a lighter, smoother typing experience with a brighter sound, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the better option. However, if you prefer a more tactile and textured feel with a deeper, bass-heavy sound, the Cherry MX Black switch would be the way to go.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Cherry MX Black switches, consider the factors of bottom-out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and enjoy a clacky, high-pitched sound with a silky typing experience, then the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom-out force of 80 grams, a low-pitched sound profile, and a textured, stiff typing feel, then the Cherry MX Black switches may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
