Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices are the Everglide Aqua King and the Kailh Sage. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is best known for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. Typing on these switches is a truly magical experience, with fingers effortlessly gliding across the keys. On the other hand, the Sage is a clicky switch that provides a distinct typing experience with its heavy weight and refreshing sharp clickiness. Both switches have their own unique qualities and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Kailh Sage both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing material. This choice of material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, enhancing the auditory experience of typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it visually appealing to users who enjoy customizable lighting effects. As such, both switches offer similar results in terms of sound and aesthetic appeal when it comes to their top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Aqua King differs from the Sage. The Aqua King incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Sage utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing of the Aqua King contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile when bottoming out keys. Its relatively stiffer nature enhances the tactile feedback and impact experienced when pressing down on the switch. On the other hand, the Sage's nylon bottom housing offers a different typing experience. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out keys on the Sage, providing a contrasting auditory sensation compared to the Aqua King.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Everglide Aqua King and the Kailh Sage showcases the impact they have on the sound and feel of typing. The similarity in using polycarbonate for their top housings ensures a consistent sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when letting go of a key. However, they diverge when it comes to the bottom housing. The Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing adds to the clarity and impact when bottoming out keys, while the Sage's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, these differences in housing materials give users distinct options to suit their preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is clear that there are some notable differences. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, providing a relatively light touch required to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Sage is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the bottom out force of the Aqua King is 62 grams, while the Sage exhibits a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, leaning towards a medium-heavy feel. Therefore, for users who prefer a lighter touch and extended typing sessions, the Aqua King would be the more suitable option. Meanwhile, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might find the heavier bottom out force of the Sage to be more preferable. It's worth noting that if the actuation forces of both switches were the same, one can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is clear that the Aqua King has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sage has a slightly shorter distance of 3.6 mm. The Aqua King, with its 4 mm travel distance, falls within the realm of traditional switch travel distances. On the other hand, the Sage's 3.6 mm travel distance is on the shallower end. This implies that the Aqua King may provide a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key compared to the Sage. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Therefore, if you prefer a more responsive experience, the shorter travel distance of the Sage may be the better option for you. Conversely, if you value a more substantial and deliberate keystroke, the longer travel distance of the Aqua King would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) has an MSRP of $7.18 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua King (V3) for $5.44.
The Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
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
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer distinct qualities in both sound and feel.
Starting with sound, the Aqua King switch provides a subdued typing experience. This means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Sage switch is described as crunchy. This indicates that it delivers a clicky typing experience, similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. However, it is essential to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Aqua King switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience. These qualities contribute to a smooth and effortless feel when pressing the keys. The Aqua King switch minimizes resistance and offers a fluid travel, allowing your fingers to effortlessly melt into each keystroke. In contrast, the Sage switch is described as invigorating and sharp. It provides pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. With the Sage switch, you can distinctly feel the strong and crisp tactile bump with each keypress.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King provides a more subdued and smooth typing experience, while the Sage offers a clicky and invigorating sensation. It is important to consider personal preferences and the desired typing experience when choosing between these two switches. However, if you are looking for similar results in terms of sound and feel, the Aqua King provides a similar smoothness and the Sage offers a distinct clicky feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a more subtle sound signature, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and are best known for their frictionless and gliding sensation, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. With descriptors like "creamy," "frictionless," "silky," and "polished," you can expect a buttery typing experience with minimal resistance.
On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct and immersive clicky typing experience with a stronger tactile bump, then the Kailh Sage clicky switch would suit your preferences. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, these switches offer a refreshing sharp clickiness and a crunchy sound akin to stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. The Sage switches are described as "invigorating" and "sharp," providing a snappy and reactive feel with each keypress.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aqua King linear switch and the Sage clicky switch depends on your desired typing experience. If you prioritize smoothness and subtlety, go for the Aqua King. If you prefer pronounced feedback and a distinct clicky feel, opt for the Sage. Consider your preferences for typing feel and sound, and make a decision based on what enhances your typing enjoyment. In the end, both switches offer unique characteristics that can elevate your mechanical keyboard experience.
Mentioned in this article
