Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the KTT Strawberry both offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry stands out for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. Both switches offer a silky typing experience, but the Lightning Silver V3 adds a vibrant touch to any setup with its light diffuser, while the Strawberry boasts attractive pink and clear housings. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Overall, both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the KTT Strawberry switches feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiff plastic that creates a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the switches to be ideal for use with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to keyboards. The use of this material in both switches ensures that users will experience similar sound profiles and durability.
While both switches share the same housing material, the Lightning Silver V3 and KTT Strawberry may differ in the thickness or design of their polycarbonate housings, which could impact the overall sound and feel of the keys. The Lightning Silver V3 may have a slightly different design or construction that leads to a unique typing experience compared to the KTT Strawberry, even though they both use polycarbonate. The bottom housing of a switch tends to have more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, so slight variations in design could result in different overall typing experiences between the two switches.
In conclusion, the similarities in housing materials between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the KTT Strawberry ensure that users can expect comparable sharp, crisp sound profiles and durability from both switches. However, slight differences in design or construction of the polycarbonate housings may lead to nuanced variations in typing feel and sound between the two switches. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and aesthetics, considering both switches offer the benefits of using polycarbonate in their housings.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have similar actuation forces, both falling into the medium category. The Lightning Silver V3 has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Strawberry's 62 grams. The actuation force for the Lightning Silver V3 is 48 grams, while the Strawberry requires 43 grams for actuation. Both switches offer a balance between lightness and heaviness, making them suitable for various typing preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Strawberry, while the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to those who enjoy a slightly heavier feel. Ultimately, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience with their medium actuation forces and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm to the KTT Strawberry linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm, it is clear that the Lightning Silver V3 offers a shorter travel distance. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a quicker response time, which is favored by gamers looking for speed and precision. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch offers a longer travel distance, giving users a more substantial feel when pressing down on the key. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference; those who prioritize speed may prefer the Lightning Silver V3, while those who prefer a more robust typing experience may opt for the KTT Strawberry.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched characteristics, which provide a sharp and snappy sound when typing. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is described as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so individual preferences may vary.
In terms of feel, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is labeled as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In comparison, the KTT Strawberry switch is described as offering a frictionless, buttery, and polished feel, ensuring an effortless and uniform typing sensation. Both switches aim to enhance the overall smoothness of typing, but the specific nuances in feel can cater to different user preferences.
Overall, while the Lightning Silver V3 and KTT Strawberry linear switches offer slightly different sound and feel profiles, both are designed to optimize the typing experience with their unique characteristics. Whether you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing feel or a low-pitched sound with a frictionless and buttery sensation, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, consider the qualities that best suit your preferences. If you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth, frictionless, and buttery feel with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Strawberry could be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound and feel that you find most enjoyable while typing. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing experience preferences.
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