Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, you may want to consider the Everglide Aqua King and the Durock White Lotus. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is best known for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of gliding on freshly resurfaced ice. This switch offers a magical typing experience and falls into the category of being subdued, creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. On the other hand, the White Lotus is a tactile switch that strikes the perfect balance between delicate tactility and ease of use. It is designed with the discerning typist in mind and offers a tranquil typing experience, ideal for extended typing sessions. What sets the White Lotus apart is its ability to showcase vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, thanks to its removable light column. It can be described as easy-to-press, low-pitched, mild, neutral, and subtle. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Durock White Lotus differ in terms of their housing materials. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its translucency is ideal for those planning to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel. While it may not create the same sound profile as polycarbonate, it still provides a satisfying typing experience.
In terms of their bottom housing materials, the Aqua King and the White Lotus take different approaches. The Aqua King utilizes polycarbonate, which again leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is particularly useful if you plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the White Lotus employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. It absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics.
It's important to note that the housing materials used in the top and bottom of a switch will impact the sound and feel differently. When pressing down on a switch, you will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing, which can influence the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing has more of an impact on the sound when you release a key. While the Aqua King and White Lotus may have distinct housing materials, they both offer satisfying typing experiences, albeit with different sound profiles.
Weight
When it comes to the actuation force and bottom out force, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have some similarities and differences. Both switches have the same actuation force of 46 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is identical for both. This ensures that users will get similar results in terms of responsiveness. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a distinction between the two switches. The Aqua King has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 56 grams, classified as medium-light. This lighter force may be preferred by individuals who value a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue. Ultimately, weight is an important factor to consider, and both switches offer options for different preferences, with the Aqua King being slightly heavier and the White Lotus being lighter in terms of bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches provide a satisfying amount of key travel, allowing for a comfortable typing or gaming experience. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the White Lotus, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 is known for its subdued sound. 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 Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as low-pitched and neutral. Low-pitched switches tend to have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while neutral switches have a moderate sound profile. This makes the White Lotus switch suitable for various purposes and environments, whether you're a beginner or advanced typist, and whether you're using it at home or work. 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 you choose to use.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch offers a range of descriptors. It is described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. Creamy switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, often due to lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used. This results in a silky sensation when typing, as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. Frictionless switches, as the name suggests, minimize resistance and friction, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Silky switches also provide exceptional smoothness and reduce resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Lastly, polished switches have a smooth and refined finish, reducing friction and providing a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. Easy-to-press switches offer gentle resistance, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. Mild switches provide a more gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics, while subtle switches have a gentle resistance and a sound signature that is not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King provides a subdued sound and a range of smooth and frictionless options for typing feel. It offers a magical typing experience akin to gliding on ice. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various typing environments. Its feel is characterized by being easy-to-press, mild, and subtle, providing a comfortable and responsive typing experience. Both switches have their unique merits and it ultimately depends on personal preference and typing needs. However, if you enjoy smooth and frictionless typing experiences, both switches can provide similar results, albeit with different sound profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a truly frictionless and magical typing experience, then the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the one for you. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches will make you feel like you're ice skating on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. The Aqua Kings provide a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing feel, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. While the sound of these switches is described as subdued, they still offer a dampened sound when pressed, creating a more subtle sound signature compared to other switches.
On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile switch that strikes the perfect balance between tactility and typist comfort, then the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is the ideal choice. With a medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams, these switches are designed to be delicate and gentle on your fingers. The White Lotus switches offer an easy-to-press, mild, and subtle typing experience, making them suitable for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. Additionally, these switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects to enhance your keyboard setup.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King switches provide a more subdued and subtle sound when compared to most switches, while the White Lotus switches offer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. If you prefer a switch with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the White Lotus is the better choice.
Overall, both the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have their own unique strengths. The Aqua Kings excel in providing a frictionless and polished typing experience, while the White Lotus switches offer a light tactile feel with a captivating RGB illumination. Consider your preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and RGB lighting effects when choosing between these two switches.
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