Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing experience, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro are two standout options in the tactile switch category, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green is celebrated for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility, providing a fun and engaging typing experience with an accentuated feel that makes every keystroke noteworthy. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro boasts a robust and invigorating tactile bump, combined with a louder and deeper bass-oriented sound, which might appeal to those who favor a more pronounced feedback with each press. While both switches offer tactile nuances, their auditory profiles and tactile responses differ significantly, allowing for a distinct typing experience. Depending on whether you prioritize a sharp and resonant feel or a deeper, more pronounced tactility, each switch has compelling attributes. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches differ significantly in both composition and acoustic characteristics, which ultimately affects their performance and sound profiles. The Bamboo Green features a PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) top housing known for its neutral sound quality; this material is less common in switch top housings, providing a sound that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is recognized for producing a sharper and higher-pitched sound due to its stiffness. This difference in materials contributes to the distinct sound signatures that users experience with each switch, with the Bamboo Green offering a more muted, rounded tone while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro provides a brighter, resonant sound that is particularly advantageous for users who enjoy RGB lighting, thanks to the translucency of polycarbonate.
Moving to the bottom housings, we see yet another contrast between the Bamboo Green's PBT and the V3 Creamy Purple Pro's nylon. The PBT material used in the Bamboo Green's bottom housing similarly offers a neutral tone, aligning with the sound profile of the top housing and promoting a consistent acoustic experience. In comparison, the nylon bottom housing of the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is softer and more sound-absorbent, which results in a fuller and deeper sound profile. This characteristic allows nylon to muffle the sounds produced during key presses more effectively than PBT, which translates into a rounder feel when typing. The different bottom housing materials highlight how the characteristics of sound absorption and resonance can create contrasting auditory experiences, even if both switches share neutral or muted tones in their construction.
When considering the overall typing experience, the combination of housing materials plays a crucial role in shaping the sound and feel of each switch. While the Everglide Bamboo Green maintains a consistent sound profile with both the top and bottom housed in PBT, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro's varied materials mean that each component contributes unique properties. The nylon bottom housing's ability to absorb sound pairs with polycarbonate’s sharp resonance in the top housing, creating a complex sound profile that can appeal to different preferences. Consequently, users might find that switching between these options offers varied auditory sensations and tactile feedback, despite both switches ultimately serving similar functional purposes within the keyboard. The way these materials interact ensures an engaging and personalized experience for typists, influencing both performance and enjoyment.
Weight
In comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch, we see notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green features a heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro has a much lighter actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, catering to users who appreciate a lighter touch, beneficial for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Consequently, the Bamboo Green is the heavier option, while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro makes for the lighter alternative. The differing forces suggest that users might experience contrasting typing dynamics, with the Bamboo Green providing a more deliberate keystroke and the V3 offering a more effortless feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch, it is clear that they cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with traditional standards and offers a more pronounced keystroke, making it suitable for users who appreciate a deeper and more tactile typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm, catering to those who favor quicker response times often preferred by gamers. This shallower distance may feel more abrupt to some users, but it can enhance speed and efficiency in fast-paced scenarios. Thus, for a more responsive and rapid experience, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro would be the better choice, while those seeking a richer and more deliberate feel might gravitate towards the Everglide Bamboo Green.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for $2.10.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green switches produce a high-pitched, clacky sound with a crisp and resonant quality. This auditory profile creates an engaging typing experience that draws attention with each keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a sharper, more vibrant sound. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches are characterized by a loud, bassier sound signature, which offers a deeper auditory experience. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Bamboo Green's sharp resonation contrasts with the Creamy Purple Pro's more robust bass notes, appealing to different preferences when it comes to typing acoustics.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch is known for its stepped, accented, and sharp tactile characteristics, which provide a clear and distinct tactile bump that is neither overwhelming nor understated. Each keypress allows for a smooth yet feedback-rich experience, enhanced by a polished finish ensuring minimal friction. Conversely, while specific tactile descriptions for the Creamy Purple Pro are not mentioned, the large and invigorating tactile bump suggests that it would offer a pronounced tactile sensation. Although it is likely to provide a significantly tactile experience, the degree of feedback and smoothness can vary compared to the carefully defined characteristics of the Bamboo Green.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches offer unique auditory and tactile experiences, appealing to different user preferences. If you gravitate towards a sharper, more resonant sound, along with a clearly defined tactile feedback, the Bamboo Green may be the ideal choice for you. However, if your preference leans towards a deeper sound with robust tactile feedback, the Creamy Purple Pro could cater to your desires. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize sound signature or tactile sensation in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switches ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and the type of experience you're seeking. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force with a clacky sound profile, the Bamboo Green is an excellent choice, especially if you enjoy a sharp, crisp audio feedback combined with a clear tactile response. The stepped tactile feel provides an engaging typing experience, feeling both distinctive and satisfying without being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you want a lighter switch that features a pronounced bassy sound and a more invigorating tactile bump, the Creamy Purple Pro will suit you well. It is particularly ideal for those who appreciate a switch that offers strong tactile feedback and a deeper sound profile, enhancing the auditory experience while typing. Therefore, consider your typing intensity and auditory preferences as you weigh the characteristics of these two switches to find the one that best complements your mechanical keyboard experience.
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