Gateron Beer vs. Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Beer is characterized by its translucent green design reminiscent of a Tsingtao beer bottle, featuring a lightweight and stepped tactility that provides a subtle yet satisfying feel. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is a budget-friendly option that impresses with its poppy and clacky sound profile, coupled with a smooth and tactile sensation. While the Beer switch is known for its clacky sound signature and easy-to-press feel, the Cream Blue Pro stands out with its accented, bouncy, and polished attributes. 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Beer and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall.
While the top housings of both the Gateron Beer and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro are made of polycarbonate, the bottom housings differ significantly. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the overall sound profile, offering similar qualities to its top housing. In contrast, the Cream Blue Pro's nylon bottom housing provides a unique typing experience by creating a deeper and fuller sound. The choice of housing material impacts the sound and feel of the switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the Gateron Beer and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro share similar characteristics in their polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharp and clear sound profile ideal for RGB lighting. However, the difference in bottom housing materials sets them apart in terms of sound experience. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing, enhancing the overall sound profile, while the Cream Blue Pro's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the desired sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch, it's clear that the Beer is lighter in both aspects. The Beer has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the V3 Cream Blue Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Beer a lighter option overall. Some users may prefer the Beer for its lighter actuation and bottom out forces, as it may allow for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Blue Pro offers a slightly stronger push feel, which may be preferred by those looking for a more substantial typing experience. Despite the slight differences, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, and users can expect similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch both have relatively short travel distances, with the Beer having a slightly longer distance of 3.4 mm compared to the V3 Cream Blue Pro's 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users, with the Beer providing a slightly deeper key press compared to the V3 Cream Blue Pro. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the amount of depth and feedback desired in key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.
The Akko V3 Cream Blue 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 Blue 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 Gateron Beer switch is well-known for its characteristic clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and snappy sound that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switch offers a distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, creating a lively and audible feedback that is harmoniously paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. Both switches offer unique sound experiences that cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable auditory experience while typing.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances the typing experience by making it effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a more subtle feel with two stages of feedback, adding to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switch is described as accented, providing a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The bouncy and snappy nature of the V3 Cream Blue Pro switch offers a spring-like feedback and responsiveness, enhancing the typing experience. Furthermore, the polished finish of the Akko switch ensures smooth key travel and reduced friction, adding to the overall comfort while typing.
Overall, both the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Beer switch provides a refreshing lightweight feel with stepped tactility and a clacky sound signature, while the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switch offers a lively and smooth typing experience with a distinct poppy sound profile. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that is sure to impress newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch, you should consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and a switch with stepped tactility that produces a characteristic clacky sound, then the Gateron Beer may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force of 55 grams and enjoy a switch that offers an accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished typing experience with a distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, then the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so consider these factors carefully before making your decision.
Mentioned in this article
