Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Akko Fairy
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Akko Fairy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Akko Fairy offer distinctive characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Baby Kangaroo switch is renowned for its crisp, light tactility and unique marbley sound profile, providing a bouncy and snappy typing experience categorized as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. On the other hand, the Fairy switch is praised for its factory-applied lubrication that ensures a smooth and quiet typing experience ideal for office settings. With a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, the Fairy switch is categorized as polished, muted, and subtle. While general pointers suggest the Baby Kangaroo for a lively and tactile typing experience and the Fairy for a quiet and comfortable workspace, diving deeper into their characteristics will help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Akko Fairy utilizes a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Baby Kangaroo (V2) creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiff nature, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Conversely, the nylon top housing of the Fairy produces a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the polycarbonate housing of the Baby Kangaroo (V2) is more suitable for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, both the Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Akko Fairy utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This choice of material results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches, as nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. The use of nylon in the bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches, enhancing the overall typing experience. Despite having different top housing materials, the similar choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both switches provide a consistent sound profile throughout.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Akko Fairy greatly impacts the sound profiles of these switches. While the Baby Kangaroo (V2) with its polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, the Akko Fairy with its nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a consistent and enhanced typing experience with a duller and rounder sound. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile with the Baby Kangaroo (V2) or a deeper sound profile with the Akko Fairy, both switches provide unique sound characteristics based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Akko Fairy linear switch's 50 grams, making the Fairy the lighter option. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Baby Kangaroo at 67 grams and the Fairy at 60 grams. The Baby Kangaroo offers a medium-heavy typing experience, providing a more substantial push feel, while the Fairy offers a medium typing experience, which is lighter and may be preferred for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force, with lighter switches being more suitable for longer typing sessions and heavier switches providing a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch, it is evident that the Baby Kangaroo has a slightly longer distance of 3.4 mm compared to the Fairy's 3.3 mm. While both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum in terms of travel distance, the slight variation between the two may result in a slightly different typing experience. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Baby Kangaroo with its slightly longer travel distance, while those who appreciate a more abrupt key press may lean towards the Akko Fairy. Ultimately, the differences in travel distance between the two switches are minimal, and users can expect a similar typing experience from both.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch offers a unique combination of clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant qualities, resulting in a sharp and crisp sound profile that can be quite distinct and engaging. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy linear switch provides a more muted and neutral sound, emphasizing a softer and quieter typing experience that is ideal for office environments where noise control is crucial. Both switches offer different auditory experiences, catering to varying preferences in terms of sound feedback during typing sessions.
Moving onto the feel aspect, the Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch is characterized by a snappy, bouncy, and polished feel, delivering a responsive and lively typing experience with smooth key travel and reduced friction. Similarly, the Akko Fairy linear switch also boasts a polished feel, ensuring a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Additionally, the mild and subtle characteristics of the Fairy switch contribute to a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users, making them suitable for shared spaces and extended use without causing fatigue. Both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying feel while typing, accommodating different preferences in tactile feedback and typing style.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences and environments. The Baby Kangaroo switch provides a more lively auditory and tactile experience, with sharp and crisp sound feedback along with snappy and bouncy key presses. In contrast, the Akko Fairy switch offers a more muted and neutral sound profile, coupled with a polished feel that ensures smooth and comfortable typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences for sound feedback and typing feel, with both switches delivering satisfactory performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch or the Akko Fairy linear switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a tactile switch that offers a crisp, light tactility with a unique sound profile like "marbly" or "clacky," then the Baby Kangaroo (V2) may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and are seeking a smooth typing experience with factory-applied lubrication, then the Fairy switch is a great option, especially for office settings. Additionally, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a muted sound profile and a polished feel, the Fairy switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer their own advantages, so it's important to consider what characteristics are most important to you when making your decision.
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