SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Sakura Pink. The Polaris Purple is a tactile switch that offers an exhilarating typing experience thanks to its big tactile bump. With a snappy sound profile and a categorized feel of being 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', this switch is ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink is a linear switch that is best known for its super light actuation force of 35g, making it perfect for delicate typists. Considered as the lighter cousin of the Everglide Aqua Kings, the Sakura Pink provides a smooth and effortless typing experience with its gliding type feel and frictionless operation. Additionally, it offers a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Frictionless', and 'Muted', this switch is a great choice for those who prioritize a smooth and quiet typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Sakura Pink are both made of polycarbonate, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches feature a translucent housing, making them especially suitable for use with RGB lighting.
However, if we analyze the top and bottom housings separately, we can see some differences. The Polaris Purple's polycarbonate top housing, as well as the Sakura Pink's, will primarily affect the sound when you let go of a key. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing enhances the release sound, providing a satisfying auditory feedback when the key is released.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of both switches will have more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate, found in the bottom housing of both switches, contributes to a more pronounced and responsive tactile feel when pressing down on a key.
In summary, while the housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Sakura Pink share many similarities, such as their polycarbonate composition and overall sound profile, the specific qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom of the switches. The top housing affects the release sound, whereas the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and tactile feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are notable differences. The Polaris Purple has an unknown actuation force, making it difficult to compare directly. However, its bottom out force is 67 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy range. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink has an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is considerably lighter. This means that the Sakura Pink requires less force to trigger a keystroke and to bottom out compared to the Polaris Purple.
Considering weight, lighter switches, like the Sakura Pink, are favored by some individuals as they allow for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. This makes them ideal for tasks such as typing at work or engaging in extended gaming sessions. In contrast, heavier switches, such as the Polaris Purple (assuming it has a heavier actuation force), provide a stronger and more substantial typing experience. Some users prefer the extra resistance and tactile feedback that come with heavier switches.
In terms of similarities, if the actuation forces of the Polaris Purple and Sakura Pink were the same, users could expect similar results when it comes to the force required to trigger keystrokes. However, as the available information suggests, the Sakura Pink is lighter in both actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Polaris Purple, making it the more effortless option in terms of pressure required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same distance of key travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer similar results and there is no significant difference between them.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple switch offers a neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced typists, whether for home or work use. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch produces a muted sound, which is softer and quieter compared to regular switches. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch provides a mild typing experience with a gentle tactile bump. It falls into the safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, it is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a buttery typing experience with a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. It is also described as creamy, providing a silky feeling as you glide your fingers across the keys. Moreover, the Sakura Pink switch is easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate, making it comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. It is also frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.
Overall, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Everglide Sakura Pink switches have distinct qualities. The Polaris Purple switch provides an exhilarating tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing feel. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switch is perfect for delicate typists, offering a feather-light actuation force and a smooth, frictionless operation. It produces a poppy sound reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, adding a playful touch to your typing sessions. If you prefer a tactile switch with a snappy sound, the Polaris Purple is a great choice. However, if you prefer a lighter linear switch with a softer sound, the Sakura Pink is a perfect fit. Regardless of your choice, both switches give high-quality and enjoyable typing experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is the one for you. It provides a satisfying tactile bump that adds excitement to your typing sessions, along with a snappy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smooth, effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch would be a better choice. With its light 45 gram bottom out force, these switches are perfect for delicate typists who want a feather-light feel. The Sakura Pinks also offer a delightful poppy sound and a gliding type feel, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize a tactile or linear switch, along with your preferred actuation force and typing experience. Overall, both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns with your typing style and enjoy a satisfying keyboarding experience.
Mentioned in this article
