Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Gateron Weightlessness

Overview

When choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Weightlessness switches, enthusiasts often find themselves at a crossroads between the exhilarating experience of a linear switch and the nuanced feedback of a tactile switch. The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is celebrated for its clacky, high-pitched sound signature and silky typing experience, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a lively auditory feedback that complements fast-paced typing or gaming. Its unique light diffuser also enhances RGB illumination, adding a vibrant flair to any keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switch is recognized for its subtle to moderate tactile feedback, providing just enough resistance to satisfy typists who prefer a more deliberate keypress without the clicky distraction. This balance in sound and feel can be particularly appealing for users who appreciate feedback without compromising on comfort. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference—whether you desire the exhilarating sound and smoothness of linear switches or the satisfying tactile response of their tactile counterparts. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Weightlessness, two distinct characteristics become evident: the materials used and the resulting acoustic profiles they produce. The Lightning Silver V3 utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which is known for its stiffness and translucency. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The clear nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly advantageous for users who incorporate RGB lighting in their keyboards, enhancing the visual experience. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings. Nylon is a softer material that absorbs sound, yielding a deeper and fuller sound profile. While the Lightning Silver’s implementation of polycarbonate leads to a resonant sound, the Weightlessness's nylon construction produces a rounder and more subdued auditory experience.

Despite their differing materials, the housing configurations also play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. With the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, the crispness provided by the polycarbonate top housing produces a distinctive sound when a key is released, while the bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out feel with its similarly stiff quality. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness, with its nylon components, showcases the deep, rich sound predominantly during key presses, with the softer nature of the nylon further cushioning the bottom-out impact. Therefore, users can expect a variance in feedback and sound—where the Lightning Silver V3 creates a more pronounced acoustic environment, the Weightlessness emphasizes a more muted, plush typing experience.

Ultimately, while the Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Weightlessness utilize different materials—polycarbonate versus nylon—their combinations of top and bottom housings ensure a unique acoustic profile and tactile feel for each switch. With polycarbonate dominating the sound profile for both housings in the Lightning Silver V3, users will experience striking auditory feedback, whereas the nylon in the Weightlessness offers a contrastingly mellow and full-bodied sound. Each switch’s characteristics are distinctly influenced by the materials used, allowing users to select their preferred switch based on the desired typing experience and sound profile, with the fundamental mechanics of both switches ensuring that high-quality performance is maintained regardless of the material choice.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch with an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams to the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams but lacks a measurable bottom out force, we see some notable differences. The Lightning Silver V3 is slightly lighter in the actuation force category, making it potentially more comfortable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness requires a bit more force to actuate, appealing to those who may prefer a heavier push for a more solid typing experience. However, since the bottom out force for the Weightlessness is unknown, it complicates a direct comparison in that aspect. Overall, those who prefer a lighter feel would gravitate towards the Lightning Silver V3, while those seeking a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Gateron Weightlessness.

Travel distance

Both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch feature the same travel distance of 3.4 mm, meaning that users will experience similar keypress depths when engaging either switch. This equal travel distance contributes to a consistent feel across both switches, allowing for a comparable typing and gaming experience. Since both switches have identical travel distances, those opting for either option will enjoy the same degree of key travel when pressing down on the keys.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch delivers a distinct auditory experience with its clacky and high-pitched sound signature. This sharp and snappy tone is characterized by its crisp, bright, and percussive notes, making it a lively choice for typists who appreciate a lively auditory feedback during key presses. This sound profile will undoubtedly stand out in a crowded space and can enhance the sensation of each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch presents a more subdued auditory quality. Its balanced sound complements its tactile feel, offering a softer acoustic environment that can be ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. Therefore, if you're leaning towards a prominent sound during your typing sessions, the Lightning Silver V3 would be your go-to, while the Weightlessness is better suited for more discreet use.

When considering the tactile feel, the Lightning Silver V3 provides a silky experience, allowing for an exceptionally smooth typing action that minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This feature enhances overall comfort and can lead to an effortless typing experience that many users find highly desirable. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness has a subtle to moderate tactile feel, meaning it offers a gentle bump that provides feedback without overwhelming the typist. The tactile quality gives a satisfying sensation at the actuation point, contributing to the typing rhythm without being excessively pronounced. This difference in tactile feedback highlights a distinct preference among typists—those who enjoy fluid and smooth motion versus those who appreciate a hint of resistance to guide their typing.

In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Gateron Weightlessness switches greatly differ in their acoustic and tactile qualities. The Lightning Silver V3 excels in providing an engaging, high-pitched sound and an ultra-smooth feel, making it ideal for users who thrive on a lively auditory experience and seamless key action. In contrast, the Weightlessness offers a more subtle tactile sensation and a balanced sound profile, making it a sensible choice for those who favor a quieter and slightly tactile typing experience. Your choice between the two should reflect your personal preferences for sound and feel, as each switch presents unique characteristics tailored to different typing styles.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch should primarily depend on your personal preferences and the type of experience you seek from your mechanical keyboard. If you prioritize a smooth, seamless typing experience with a crisp, high-pitched sound profile that enhances the aesthetics of RGB illumination, then the Lightning Silver V3 is an excellent choice for you. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams strikes a good balance, providing a satisfying response without requiring excessive effort. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile feedback that enhances your typing experience without the pronounced sound of clacky switches, the Gateron Weightlessness might be your go-to. Its subtle to moderate tactile feel offers you a different dimension of interaction that can help with typing accuracy while maintaining a balanced sound profile. Ultimately, consider what matters most to you—whether it's the smoothness and bold acoustics of the Lightning Silver V3 or the tactile nuances of the Weightlessness—so you can select the switch that best enhances your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more