Gateron Mars vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mars and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, two standout options are the Gateron Mars and the Everglide Sakura Pink, both of which fall under the linear category but offer distinct experiences for typists. The Gateron Mars switches are recognized for their innovative design, featuring a POK stem and a dual-material housing made from Nylon and POM, which can contribute to a more stable and consistent keystroke. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are celebrated for their exceptionally light actuation force of 35g, catering particularly to delicate typists who prefer a feather-light touch. With their gliding feel and frictionless operation, the Sakura Pinks deliver a smooth typing experience, enhanced by a playful sound reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, making them not only functional but also fun. Both switches have their unique strengths, appealing to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.20 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
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mars and Everglide Sakura Pink switches, a clear distinction arises between their top housings. The Gateron Mars employs a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its ability to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller acoustic profile. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for users seeking a muter, more rounded typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate top housing that produces a higher-pitched and crisper sound. This material's stiffness contributes to its more resonant auditory qualities, making it ideal for users who prefer a sharper and more pronounced sound, especially when utilized with RGB lighting due to its translucent nature.
Moving to the bottom housings of these switches, another interesting comparison emerges. The Gateron Mars features a POM bottom housing known for its deeper and more muted sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience with a pleasing and unique auditory character. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, which aligns with its top housing in delivering a sharper and clearer sound profile. This consistency in using polycarbonate in both components ensures a more cohesive sound experience, favoring users who enjoy a high-pitched and resonant typing sensation.
In essence, while both switches offer distinct auditory experiences due to their differing top and bottom materials, the overall sound profile and feel depend significantly on how these housings interact. The Gateron Mars provides a deeper and more muted sound through its nylon and POM combination, capitalizing on the qualities of softer plastics. Conversely, the Everglide Sakura Pink, utilizing polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, presents a uniformity in sound that leans towards clarity and resonance. Ultimately, each switch caters to unique preferences, allowing users to choose based on their desired typing auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Mars features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Sakura Pink is lighter at 35 grams. This means typists and gamers who prefer a lighter touch will find the Sakura Pink more suitable, as it allows for less strain during extended use. However, the bottom out force for the Mars switch is unavailable, making direct comparison in this aspect difficult. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Sakura Pink is 45 grams, which contributes to a solid feel when bottoming out. Therefore, while the Mars switch is heavier in actuation, the Sakura Pink provides a lighter actuation experience with a defined bottom out force, making it a more appealing option for those who value ease of key presses.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, a notable difference emerges. The Gateron Mars features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This places the Mars as the shorter option, making it potentially more suitable for gamers who favor quicker response times and a more responsive feel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink, with its traditional 4 mm travel distance, caters to those who appreciate a more substantial key press that provides a fuller typing experience. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that offers a more abrupt and rapid actuation, the Mars would be the better choice, whereas those who prefer a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes might gravitate towards the Sakura Pink.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Mars switch remains somewhat undefined, leaving users curious about its auditory characteristics. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is known for its muted sound profile, which produces a softer and quieter noise compared to traditional mechanical keyboard switches. This level of sound dampening can result in a more pleasant typing experience, especially in quieter environments where reduced noise is appreciated. However, it’s essential to note that sound can still be affected by factors such as the type of keyboard they are mounted on and the choice of keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mars switch lacks a clear description, making it challenging to gauge its tactile experience fully. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a notably enjoyable typing experience. It is described as buttery and creamy, thanks to its smooth, fluid keystroke that allows for effortless transitions between key presses. This facilitates an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to activate each switch, which can be particularly advantageous during long typing sessions. Its frictionless design further enhances this, providing a remarkably fluid feel that allows typists to glide over the keys with ease.
Considering all available information, those seeking a fun and muted typing experience may lean towards the Everglide Sakura Pink switch, especially if they appreciate a lightweight and smooth touch. Meanwhile, potential users of the Gateron Mars should remain curious until more details about its sound and feel become available. Both switches have unique attributes that cater to different preferences, but if you prefer a playful yet yet quiet typing environment, the Sakura Pink appears to be the better choice at this time.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between the Gateron Mars and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches ultimately depends on your personal typing style and preferences. If you prefer a switch that has a unique design and offers an innovative feel, the Gateron Mars might be your go-to. While its specific bottom-out force isn't specified, it presents a different typing experience that could align with your needs if you enjoy a custom tactile sensation. However, if you're in search of a feather-light actuation with a delightful auditory experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink is the way to go. With a 35g actuation force, it caters perfectly to delicate typists seeking a buttery and creamy typing feel that reduces finger fatigue. The muted sound profile combines with its gliding operation to create an enjoyable and effortless experience. Therefore, you should consider what aspects of feel, sound, and typing effort matter most to you: opt for the Mars if you appreciate innovation and unique designs, but choose the Sakura Pink for a smooth, light, and playful typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
