Gateron Luciola vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Luciola and the Everglide Sakura Pink each offer their own unique features that cater to different preferences. The Luciola switches are renowned for their eye-catching glow-in-the-dark design and deliver a medium heft, providing a smooth and bouncy typing experience. With a distinct hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, these switches add an extra level of sensory satisfaction. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are incredibly lightweight, boasting a feather-light 35g actuation force which is perfect for those with a delicate typing touch. Known as the lighter cousin of the Everglide Aqua Kings, Sakura Pinks offer a gliding type feel and frictionless operation, allowing for a smooth and effortless typing experience. Their delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adds a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. 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
55g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches differ in terms of aesthetics and sound profile. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, which creates a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. In contrast, the Sakura Pink switch utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly advantageous for switches with RGB lighting.
While the Luciola and Sakura Pink switches have different housing materials, both provide similar results in terms of sound profile. Both switches produce a higher-pitched sound, although the Sakura Pink switch may have a slightly sharper and crisper tone due to its polycarbonate housing. This makes both switches suitable for those seeking a more distinctive and clacky typing sound. Furthermore, the polycarbonate housing in the Sakura Pink switch enhances its aesthetic appeal when paired with RGB lighting, while the Luciola's INK blend housing may not offer the same visual effect.
When it comes to the impact on sound when pressing down or releasing a key, the housing materials play a crucial role. The bottom housing of a switch, which is responsible for the bottom-out sound and feel, will have the greatest influence on the overall typing experience. In the case of the Luciola, the INK blend bottom housing contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink switch enhances its sharper and more resonant sound. Conversely, the top housing material, whether INK blend or polycarbonate, primarily affects the sound when letting go of a key, adding to the overall auditory experience of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Gateron Luciola has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the lighter actuation force of 35 grams for the Everglide Sakura Pink. This means that the Gateron Luciola requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Gateron Luciola is also slightly heavier, with a force of 60 grams compared to the Sakura Pink's 45 grams.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time may lean towards the Everglide Sakura Pink switch. This switch's lighter actuation and bottom out forces make it suitable for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switch may be preferred by individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience. With its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel that some typists may find satisfying. However, both switches offer a medium to light force range, which means that individuals seeking similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces may find either option suitable for their needs.
Travel distance
The Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have different travel distances. The Luciola has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sakura Pink has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Sakura Pink falls within the average range at 4 mm, while the Luciola is on the shorter side at 3.6 mm. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may opt for the Luciola's shorter travel distance, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feeling when pressing down on a key may prefer the Sakura Pink's longer travel distance. It's important to consider personal preferences when choosing between these two options, as the shorter travel distance of the Luciola may feel too abrupt for some individuals, while others may enjoy its increased responsiveness. Overall, both switches offer their own unique travel distances, providing users with different tactile experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 Gateron Luciola switches have a unique and distinct "hollow can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This provides a crisp, bright, and percussive sound when pressed, creating a clacky and chirpy typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches produce a more muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. This ensures a softer and quieter typing experience. It is worth noting that the sound of these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron Luciola and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Luciola switches are described as snappy, featuring longer or dual-staged springs that make typing feel more responsive and alive. They also have a buttery and polished feel, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches also provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation that can be described as buttery and creamy. They are easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate, enhancing the typing experience and reducing finger fatigue. Furthermore, the Sakura Pink switches are frictionless, ensuring an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with no sense of resistance or friction.
Overall, the Gateron Luciola and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola switches have a clacky and chirpy sound profile, while the Sakura Pink switches produce a more muted sound. In terms of feel, both switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience, with the Luciola switches having a snappier and polished feel, and the Sakura Pink switches offering a creamy and easy-to-press sensation. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience. If you prefer a more audible and crisp sound, the Luciola switches would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a quieter typing experience with a smooth and gentle feel, the Sakura Pink switches would be a great option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a distinctive appearance, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is the way to go. These switches have a smooth and bouncy typing feel, accompanied by a unique hollow sound profile that resembles a can of spray paint being shaken. Additionally, the Luciola switches are known for their eye-catching glow in the dark feature. On the other hand, if you prioritize a lighter bottom out force and a smooth typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is a great choice. With an actuation force of only 45 grams, these switches are perfect for delicate typists. They provide a frictionless and effortless typing experience, accompanied by a delightfully poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. Furthermore, the Sakura Pinks are described as offering a smooth and buttery typing sensation similar to gliding your fingers across the keys. Ultimately, both switches have their unique features, so consider your typing preferences and whether visual aesthetics or typing feel are more important to you when making your decision.
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