Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Lightning Silver V3 is renowned for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a satisfying auditory feedback for each keystroke. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound, creating a balanced mix of tranquility and responsiveness. The Lightning Silver V3 boasts a light diffuser for enhanced RGB illumination, adding a vibrant touch to your keyboard setup, while the Semi-Silent Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing feel without being overly polished. Both switches have their own distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, making them appealing choices for different users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear also has a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall.
In terms of typing experience, the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear play a significant role. The Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate top and bottom housings contribute to the sound profile when pressing down and letting go of a key. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the crispness and clarity of the sound. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear's nylon bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This difference in housing materials can lead to varying typing experiences for users of each switch.
While the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear have different housing materials for their bottom housings, they both utilize polycarbonate for the top housings. This means that users can expect a similar sound profile when pressing down and letting go of keys on both switches. However, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear may provide a slightly deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon bottom housing, compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. Overall, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, the Lightning Silver V3 has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Semi-Silent Linear's unknown actuation force. However, the Semi-Silent Linear has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams as opposed to the Lightning Silver V3's 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium force category, making them suitable for a variety of typing preferences. Those who prefer a lighter feel may lean towards the Lightning Silver V3 for extended typing or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Semi-Silent Linear with its heavier bottom out force. 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, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lightning Silver V3 switch. The shorter travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 switch may be preferred by gamers looking for quicker response times, while the longer travel distance of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch may be favored by those who prefer a more substantial depth when typing. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, so the choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preferences for typing feel and responsiveness.
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 Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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 is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound, offering a sharp, snappy, and bright sound profile when pressed. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is described as having a subdued and neutral sound, with a dampened and more subtle sound signature. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a more pronounced and crisp sound, while the Semi-Silent Linear offers a quieter and more understated typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Lightning Silver V3 being more vibrant and attention-grabbing, while the Semi-Silent Linear is more low-key and suitable for environments where noise may be a concern.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is known for its silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and offering an exceptionally smooth feel when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is described as providing a mild, snappy, buttery, and polished typing experience. These qualities suggest that the Semi-Silent Linear offers a comfortable and responsive typing feel, with a balanced and approachable tactile feedback. Both switches provide different tactile sensations, with the Lightning Silver V3 focusing more on smoothness and the Semi-Silent Linear offering a mix of gentle responsiveness and smooth keystrokes.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches offer distinct sound and feel characteristics to cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a clacky, high-pitched sound with a silky smooth feel, while the Semi-Silent Linear offers a subdued, neutral sound with a mild, snappy, buttery, and polished feel. Depending on your preference for sound profile and typing experience, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your overall typing satisfaction. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a louder, more vibrant sound or a quieter, more subtle typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a clacky and high-pitched sound signature that enhances RGB illumination, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Consider your preference for sound and feel, and choose the switch that best aligns with your typing style and environment. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing experiences.
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