Bsun Avocado vs. Akko Fairy
An in-depth look at the Bsun Avocado and the Akko Fairy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Avocado and Akko Fairy offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Avocado is heralded for its tactile nature, delivering a satisfying bump and buttery downstroke, accompanied by a mild sound profile that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Fairy switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, perfect for office settings with their factory-applied lubrication and comfortable medium weight. While the Avocado leans towards a more pronounced and invigorating tactile feedback, the Fairy offers a polished and muted typing experience suitable for prolonged use without causing fatigue. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Avocado and the Akko Fairy both utilize different housing materials for their switches, contributing to distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. The Avocado features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for more clarity and resonance in the sound produced. On the other hand, the Fairy's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. While both materials offer unique sonic qualities, the Avocado's polycarbonate top housing is tailored for a brighter and more resonant typing experience compared to the Fairy's nylon top housing.
In terms of bottom housing, the Avocado and Fairy both utilize nylon for a softer and more absorbent sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Despite the differences in their top housings, the similarity in their nylon bottom housings ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The impact of the bottom housing can be felt when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will play a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key, showcasing the importance of both housing materials in shaping the overall typing experience.
While the Avocado and Fairy differ in their choice of top housing material, the split of qualities between the top and bottom housings of a switch ensures a well-rounded typing experience. The Avocado's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for those seeking a brighter typing experience, while the Fairy's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, suited for a smoother typing feel. Despite these differences, the nylon bottom housing in both switches maintains a consistent sound profile, absorbing more sound to create a rounder and softer typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Avocado and Fairy will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and aesthetic considerations.
Weight
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Akko Fairy linear switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Avocado requires a heavier 65 grams compared to the Fairy's 60 grams. This means that the Avocado provides a slightly lighter initial press, but a more substantial feel when fully pressed compared to the Fairy. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of force, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preference for a lighter initial press or a heavier bottom out feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall under the category of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. However, the Avocado offers slightly more travel distance than the Fairy, which may provide a slightly more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer a bit more depth in their switches. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience due to their relatively close travel distances, so the choice between the two may come down to personal preference for that slight difference in depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
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, the Bsun Avocado tactile switch provides a mild and neutral sound signature, offering a pleasant typing experience without being obtrusive. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy linear switch is described as having a muted and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes whether at home or work. Both switches offer a quieter typing experience, ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. The sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Avocado switch is known for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, providing a satisfying typing sensation without being overwhelming. In contrast, the Akko Fairy linear switch offers a polished, mild, and subtle typing experience, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction due to factory lubrication. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Avocado switch offering a more pronounced tactile feedback and the Fairy switch providing a gentle and approachable feel.
Overall, the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences and typing styles. While the Avocado switch emphasizes tactile feedback and a buttery downstroke, the Fairy switch focuses on a smooth typing experience suitable for office environments. Whether you prefer a pronounced tactile bump or a gentle typing feel, both switches deliver satisfying results, ensuring an enjoyable and comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the BSUN Avocado tactile switch or the Akko Fairy linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and pronounced tactility, along with a neutral sound signature, the Avocado would be a great choice for a typing experience defined by its tangible sensations. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force, factory-applied lubrication for smooth typing, and a muted sound profile, the Fairy switch would be ideal for a quieter workspace and comfortable extended use in office settings. Consider the type of typing experience you prefer, whether it be accented, invigorating, sharp, or snappy for the Avocado, or polished, mild, or subtle for the Fairy, to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose based on what aligns best with your typing style and environment.
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