Kailh Berry vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Berry and Akko V3 Piano Pro both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Berry switch is praised for its linear design, providing a hefty typing experience with a springy feel and chalk-like texture. Its sound profile is low-pitched and bassy, appealing to those who enjoy a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro features a long pole design that contributes to a snappy sound signature, adding a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke. With a combination of bouncy, clacky, creamy, polished, resonant, and silky attributes, the V3 Piano Pro offers a smooth and tactile typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences, so when choosing between them, it's important to consider your personal typing style and preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Akko V3 Piano Pro differ in terms of their top housing. The Berry uses a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. This is especially useful for switches with RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency allows for better light diffusion. In contrast, the V3 Piano Pro features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. While the Berry's polycarbonate top housing offers a clearer and more resonant sound, the V3 Piano Pro's nylon top housing provides a dullder and rounder sound.
On the other hand, both the Berry and the V3 Piano Pro utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder bottom housings. Since the sound and feel of a switch are impacted by the bottom housing, the nylon bottom housing of both the Berry and the V3 Piano Pro play a significant role in the overall typing experience.
Overall, while the Kailh Berry and the Akko V3 Piano Pro vary in their top housing materials, they share the use of nylon for their bottom housing. These differences in housing materials affect the sound profile of the switches, with the Berry's polycarbonate top housing offering a sharper and crisper sound compared to the V3 Piano Pro's nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. Despite these distinctions, both switches benefit from the absorptive qualities of nylon in their bottom housing, resulting in a more muted and rounded sound profile during typing.
Weight
The Kailh Berry linear switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. The Berry switch provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the V3 Piano Pro is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing habits.
Travel distance
The Kailh Berry linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch with a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. The difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference for a slightly longer or slightly shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Piano Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Piano Pro for $3.10.
The Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
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 Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy qualities, providing a deep and mellow tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch is described as clacky and resonant, offering a sharp, snappy sound with a higher pitch that creates a clean and sharp auditory experience. Depending on your preference for sound, the Berry switch may provide a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the V3 Piano Pro switch offers a bright and percussive sound signature.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its textured feel, providing noticeable friction when pressed. This can add a unique tactile experience to typing. In contrast, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch offers a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky feel. This means that the Piano Pro switch provides a spring-like feedback, smooth and buttery typing sensation, refined finish, and exceptionally smooth experience during key presses. Depending on your preference for feel, the Berry switch may offer a textured and friction-filled experience, while the V3 Piano Pro switch provides a range of smooth and bouncy sensations.
In conclusion, the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a deep and mellow sound with a textured typing experience, the Berry switch may be the right choice for you. However, if you enjoy a lively and crisp sound with a range of smooth and bouncy tactile sensations, the V3 Piano Pro switch could be more suited to your preferences. Both switches offer distinct qualities that can enhance your typing experience, providing variety for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Kailh Berry linear switch or the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a springy, chalk-like texture while typing, along with a deep sound profile, then the Berry switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a snappy sound signature, and a smooth actuation for a pleasing tactile experience, then the V3 Piano Pro switch would be more suitable. Additionally, consider whether you prefer a low-pitched, bassy sound profile and a textured feel (Berry) or a clacky, resonant sound profile and a bouncy, creamy, polished, or silky feel (V3 Piano Pro). Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall experience.
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