Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. KTT Semi Mute
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the KTT Semi Mute switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Semi Mute are two prominent mechanical keyboard switches that both offer unique advantages to enhance your typing experience. The Aqua King is renowned for its frictionless feel that resembles gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. This linear switch provides a magical typing experience and falls under categories such as subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. On the other hand, the Semi Mute switch, despite its name, operates silently and is perfect for those who prioritize a noise-free environment. It boasts a linear actuation and advanced dampening technology, resulting in a comfortable and gratifying typing feel. The KTT Semi Mute switch is categorized as buttery, mild, muted, and neutral. While these general pointers can be helpful in making an initial decision, it is important to delve deeper into the details of each switch to determine which one suits your individual preferences and requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The housing material used in the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Semi Mute is polycarbonate. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top and bottom housings, which results in a similar sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. It is a relatively stiffer plastic that contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches that utilize RGB lighting, as it allows for better light diffusion.
While both switches share the same housing material, the Aqua King and the Semi Mute may have slight differences in the way the top and bottom housings impact the overall sound and feel. The bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. The qualities of the polycarbonate bottom housing will contribute to this aspect of the switch's performance. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when a key is released, creating a distinct sound profile that polycarbonate is known for.
Overall, the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Semi Mute offer similar qualities in terms of their housing materials. Both switches leverage the benefits of polycarbonate to achieve a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The top and bottom housings each contribute to different aspects of the switch's sound and feel, with the bottom housing influencing the key press and the top housing affecting the key release. Whether it is the Aqua King or the Semi Mute, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound quality and the use of RGB lighting due to the utilization of polycarbonate in their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Semi Mute linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Semi Mute has an actuation force of 43 grams, making the Semi Mute slightly lighter in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, both switches fall under the medium actuation force category.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Aqua King requires 62 grams of force to fully press the key down, whereas the Semi Mute demands 58 grams, once again making the Semi Mute the lighter option for a more substantial typing experience.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In this case, the Everglide Aqua King with its slightly higher actuation and bottom out force would be the choice. On the other hand, some users might enjoy a stronger push feel for a more pronounced typing experience. For them, the KTT Semi Mute with its slightly lower actuation and bottom out force would be the better option.
Ultimately, while the actuation and bottom out forces of the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Semi Mute offer slight differences, both switches fall within the medium range and offer similar results. The decision between the two would depend on individual preferences for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is the same, with both switches boasting a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience a consistent 4 mm travel distance. Both switches offer a similar tactile experience and ensure a comfortable typing or gaming experience. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the Semi Mute, you can expect to have a consistent and satisfying key press.
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 KTT Semi Mute has an MSRP of $3.97 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi Mute for $3.55.
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 Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a subdued experience. It produces a dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is described as muted. It produces a softer and quieter sound, minimizing the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, both switches aim to provide a more noise-free experience, with the Aqua King being more subdued and the Semi Mute being more muted.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished qualities. These attributes contribute to a smooth and effortless typing experience. The keys feel like they effortlessly melt into each keystroke, providing a magical and satisfying sensation similar to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice rink. On the other hand, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch is described as buttery and mild. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. The feel of these switches is gentle and approachable, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Both switches prioritize comfort and gratifying typing experiences, with the Aqua King offering a range of smooth qualities and the Semi Mute providing a safe middle-ground feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King and the KTT Semi Mute linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King focuses on providing a more subdued sound experience compared to most switches, while the Semi Mute aims to be more muted to minimize noise. In terms of feel, the Aqua King delivers a creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished typing experience, while the Semi Mute offers a buttery and mild sensation. Both switches prioritize comfort and aim to provide a pleasant typing experience, albeit with different characteristics. Depending on personal preferences and requirements, users can choose between the Aqua King for its smooth, gliding feel and the Semi Mute for its gentle and uniform keystroke experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a noise-free environment and undisturbed typing, especially during late-night sessions, the KTT Semi Mute linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a comfortable and gratifying typing feel with their advanced dampening technology. They are known for providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Semi Mute switch is described as "mild," meaning it offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
On the other hand, if you value a switch that has a more subtle sound signature and provides a frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch would be a great option. These switches quite literally feel frictionless, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. The Aqua King switch is described as "creamy," "frictionless," and "silky," which indicates an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and easy key travel.
Ultimately, your decision between the Aqua King and Semi Mute switches will depend on your specific preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a noise-free environment and smooth typing sensation, choose the Semi Mute switch. If you prefer a switch with a more subtle sound and a frictionless typing experience, opt for the Aqua King switch. Both switches offer medium bottom out force (58 grams for Semi Mute and 62 grams for Aqua King), ensuring a comfortable typing experience. Consider your needs and preferences to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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