SP-Star Ayara vs. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Ayara and Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro both offer unique qualities worth exploring. The Ayara's medium heftness provides a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying tactile response. In contrast, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro stands out for budget-conscious enthusiasts, offering a poppy, clacky sound and smoothness for a vibrant auditory experience. While the Ayara is categorized as 'Neutral', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is described as 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', 'Bouncy', 'Snappy', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics, but delving deeper beyond generalities will help you determine the best choice for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro differ in terms of the top housing material. The Ayara features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound-absorbing properties. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile because of its stiffness and clear translucency for RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches.
In terms of bottom housing material, both the Ayara and the V3 Cream Yellow Pro utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches, as nylon's softness absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. The duller and rounder sound created by the nylon bottom housing adds to the overall typing experience of both keyboards. While the bottom housing material may not be as visually noticeable as the top housing, it still plays a significant role in the sound and feel of the switches.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the top and bottom housings of switches can impact the typing experience. While the bottom housing material affects the sound and feel of bottoming out a key, the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. The nylon bottom housing of both the Ayara and the V3 Cream Yellow Pro contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the differences in the top housing materials create contrasting sound profiles, with nylon producing a softer sound and polycarbonate yielding a crisper sound. Despite these variations, both keyboards ultimately achieve similar results in terms of typing sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch, one can see that the Ayara is lighter in terms of bottom out force at 62 grams compared to the V3 Cream Yellow Pro at 60 grams. However, the actuation force of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Ayara is not specified. This means that the V3 Cream Yellow Pro requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. Both switches fall into the medium force category. For those who prefer a lighter feel, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro may be a better option for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Ayara may be preferred by those who enjoy a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Ayara has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the V3 Cream Yellow Pro. A 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional, offering a deeper key press feel, while a 3.3mm travel distance is shallower and may provide a quicker response time, preferred by gamers. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distance, with the Ayara being the longer option and the V3 Cream Yellow Pro being the shorter option. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for typing feel and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro has an MSRP of $2.88 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Yellow Pro for $2.00.
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 SP-Star Ayara linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for various uses. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch provides a poppy, clacky sound right out of the box, ideal for those who enjoy a more vibrant auditory experience. The sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so the overall sound experience may vary.
When it comes to feel, the SP-Star Ayara switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. Conversely, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro switch is easy-to-press, providing a gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. Additionally, the Cream Yellow Pro switch is described as feathery and bouncy, offering a light and lively typing experience. Overall, the Ayara switch focuses on a sleek and refined feel, while the V3 Cream Yellow Pro switch prioritizes effortless and comfortable typing with a touch of liveliness.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ayara switch provides a medium heftiness with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile, catering to those who prefer a hearty typing experience. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro switch offers a satisfying combination of a poppy, clacky sound and a smooth tactile feel, making it a standout choice for budget-conscious mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a rewarding typing experience with their unique characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile, then the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option that offers a poppy, clacky sound and smooth typing experience, then the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch would be a great choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the medium heftiness and neutral sound of the Ayara or the easy-to-press and feathery feel of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, so consider your typing preferences and needs when making a decision.
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