Gateron Aliaz vs. Akko Fairy
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Akko Fairy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Gateron Aliaz, a tactile switch, and the Akko Fairy, a linear switch. The Aliaz is favored for its silent design, making it a great choice for quiet environments such as the office. With a medium-heavy weight, the Aliaz provides a satisfying and substantial feel to each keystroke, perfect for those who appreciate pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy boasts factory-applied lubrication that guarantees a smooth typing experience, ideal for office settings. Its medium weight strikes a balance between resistance and comfort, making it suitable for prolonged use without causing fatigue. Both switches offer a muted and polished typing experience, but the Aliaz leans towards a more tactile feel, while the Fairy provides a linear typing experience. 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
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which creates a sharp, higher-pitched sound profile with a clear and resonant tone. The use of polycarbonate in both housings results in a consistent sound experience when pressing down and releasing a key. In contrast, the Akko Fairy utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound for a duller and rounder tone. This difference in housing materials results in a unique typing experience for each switch, with the Aliaz offering a more crisp and clear sound while the Fairy provides a deeper and more muted sound.
One key similarity between the Gateron Aliaz and the Akko Fairy is that both switches use top and bottom housing materials that complement each other. The polycarbonate material in the Aliaz creates a stiffer and more resonant sound, while the nylon in the Fairy absorbs more sound for a rounder tone. This balance of housing materials ensures that both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with different sound profiles. Additionally, both switches benefit from the aesthetic appeal of their respective housing materials, with the translucent polycarbonate in the Aliaz allowing for RGB lighting and the classic look of nylon in the Fairy.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Aliaz and the Akko Fairy ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. While the Aliaz offers a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate housing, the Fairy provides a deeper and fuller tone with its nylon housing. Whether you prefer a more resonant sound or a muted sound, both switches offer a unique typing experience that is enhanced by their choice of housing materials. Ultimately, users should consider their preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetics when choosing between these two switches.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch boasts a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Akko Fairy linear switch offers a lighter actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a more comfortable option for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. While the Aliaz switch is heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, the Fairy switch is lighter overall, catering to different preferences when it comes to keyboard typing experiences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a lighter or heavier feel while typing. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit with subtle differences in actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch, it is evident that the Aliaz has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Fairy's 3.3 mm. The Aliaz would provide a slightly deeper press when typing or gaming, which some users may find more comfortable for extended periods of use. On the other hand, the Fairy's shorter travel distance could appeal to gamers looking for a quicker response time with each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. Both switches offer unique advantages, with the Aliaz providing a bit more depth and the Fairy offering a quicker, more responsive feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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, both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch offer a muted typing experience, minimizing the noise associated with mechanical keyboards. This makes them both suitable choices for quieter environments like offices or shared spaces. The sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used, so you can expect similar results in terms of sound level when using either switch.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Aliaz offers a silky and polished typing experience, providing smooth key travel and reduced friction for a refined feel. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy switch is described as polished, mild, and subtle, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth key travel, making it comfortable for extended use without causing fatigue. Both switches strike a good balance between feedback and comfort, catering to users who prefer a more tactile but quiet typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch are well-suited for office environments or shared spaces due to their muted sound profiles. The Aliaz provides a medium-heavy weight with a substantial feel, while the Fairy offers a medium weight with a balanced resistance for a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback or a smoother typing experience, both switches offer qualities that cater to the demands of daily professional tasks while ensuring a comfortable and quiet workspace.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch that provides a medium-heavy weight and a substantial feel to each keystroke, the Gateron Aliaz switches would be a great choice, especially for quiet environments like the office. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, the Akko Fairy linear switches would be more suitable, also ideal for office settings. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on your preference for typing feedback and noise level, with the Aliaz offering a more pronounced tactile feel and the Fairy providing a smoother and quieter typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, so choose based on your specific needs and preferences for your keyboard setup.
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