Everglide Sakura Pink vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Everglide Sakura Pink and the SP-Star Duck. The Sakura Pink switch is best known for its super light actuation force of 35g, making it perfect for those who prefer a delicate typing experience. With a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, these switches provide a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightfully poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, the Duck switches offer a more subtle tactile typing experience. With a clean and crispy sound profile, they provide a gentle tactility when typing. These switches are categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. 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
35g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Sakura Pink and the SP-Star Duck both utilize polycarbonate material for both their top and bottom housings. This choice of material provides several benefits for both switches. Firstly, polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, which contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile. This means that both switches will produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when pressed. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making them visually appealing options for those who want to customize their keyboards with colorful lighting effects.
However, despite these similarities, it's worth noting that the Everglide Sakura Pink and the SP-Star Duck may have subtle differences due to their respective manufacturing processes. While both switches use polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings, one cannot assume that they are identical. Factors such as the thickness of the housing, the design of the switch, and the overall build quality can influence the sound and feel of the switch. Therefore, while both switches are likely to offer similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics, individual preferences may still play a role in the user's choice.
When it comes to the impact of the top and bottom housings, both switches share a similar characteristic. The bottom housing of each switch will have a more significant effect on the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that when you press down on either the Everglide Sakura Pink or the SP-Star Duck, you will experience the qualities of the polycarbonate bottom housing. On the other hand, the top housing will primarily affect the sound when you release a key. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housings further highlights the importance of each housing material in contributing to the overall performance and experience of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, it is clear that they differ in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Sakura Pink boasts a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Additionally, its bottom out force of 45 grams contributes to a comfortable but still slightly substantial typing feel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch's actuation force is currently unknown, but it has a heavier bottom out force of 58 grams, providing a more substantial and satisfying keystroke.
Considering weight is important for different individuals based on their preferences and usage scenarios. Those who value a lighter switch may find the Sakura Pink suitable for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming sessions, as it allows for effortless keystrokes. Conversely, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience might opt for the SP-Star Duck. Although the actuation force of the Duck is unknown, its higher bottom out force ensures a more pronounced and satisfying keystroke.
Overall, the Everglide Sakura Pink offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force, while the SP-Star Duck provides a slightly heavier bottom out force. Both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can choose the one that best aligns with their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel, giving you similar results in terms of tactile feedback and key responsiveness. Both switches offer a satisfying amount of travel for typing or gaming purposes. It is worth noting that a travel distance of 4mm is considered standard for mechanical switches, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for users. Therefore, there is no significant difference in terms of travel distance between these two switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink switches produce a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap. This adds a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switches are described as having a clean and crispy sound profile, offering a more subtle tactile typing experience. While the Sakura Pink is muted, producing a softer and quieter sound, the Duck is described as having a neutral sound profile, which means it falls in the middle in terms of sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Sakura Pink switches offer several qualities that contribute to a smooth and effortless typing experience. They are described as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless. These switches provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, offering a fluid travel without any sense of resistance or friction. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switches are described as mild, buttery, and polished. This implies a more gentle typing experience, with a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The Duck switches offer reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, but the Sakura Pink switches have more descriptors that indicate an easy-to-press and low-impact typing feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are known for their super light actuation force, making them perfect for delicate typists. They offer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a poppy sound. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switches provide a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. Both switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, but the Sakura Pink switches have a lighter actuation force and more descriptors indicating easy-to-press and low-impact typing feel. If you prefer a lighter and more playful typing experience, the Sakura Pink switches would be a great choice. If you prefer a more subtle and refined typing experience, the Duck switches would be a suitable option. However, it's important to consider other factors such as personal preference, the type of keyboard and keycaps used, as they can also influence the overall feel and sound of the switches.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prefer a feather-light typing experience and a smooth, effortless feel, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of only 45 grams, these switches are ideal for delicate typists. They provide a gliding type feel and a frictionless operation, making typing a breeze. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is the way to go. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches offer a moderate actuation force requirement. The sound profile is clean and crispy, providing a pleasant typing experience. Whether you're a beginner or advanced typist, the Duck switches are suitable for various needs. Ultimately, the choice between the Sakura Pink and the Duck switch will depend on your preference for lightness and playfulness or subtlety and crispness in typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
