Durock Black Lotus vs. Akko V3 Crystal Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro both offer unique features and qualities worth exploring. The Black Lotus is a linear switch known for its silky smooth feel and precision, reducing wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight and a unique light column for in-switch lighting, it is categorized as smooth, buttery, mild, polished. On the other hand, the V3 Crystal Pro stands out for its fully polycarbonate construction, resulting in a bright and chirpy sound signature and a smooth typing experience. Categorized as bouncy, chirpy, polished, it offers a different tactile experience compared to the Black Lotus. 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
55g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus switch features a unique combination of a Modified PC & UPE Blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The top housing provides a premium feel and is likely to contribute to a sharper sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. In comparison, the Akko V3 Crystal Pro utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile and a clear and resonant tone. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles due to their housing materials, with the Black Lotus focusing on a premium feel and deeper sound, while the V3 Crystal Pro emphasizes a sharper and clearer tone.
The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Akko V3 Crystal Pro switch enables it to showcase RGB lighting more effectively, thanks to the material's translucency. In contrast, the Durock Black Lotus's choice of a Modified PC & UPE Blend top housing creates a unique and premium feel without the transparency for RGB effects. Similar to the top housing, the bottom housing of the switches plays a crucial role in shaping the sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Black Lotus contributes to a duller and rounder sound, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the V3 Crystal Pro enhances the sharper, crisper sound of the switch.
While the housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro are different, they each offer distinct advantages in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The Black Lotus's combination of Modified PC & UPE Blend and nylon provides a premium feel and fuller sound, while the V3 Crystal Pro's polycarbonate top and bottom housings create a sharper and clearer tone. Both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile of a switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when a key is released. Overall, whether opting for the Black Lotus or the V3 Crystal Pro, users can expect a unique typing experience based on the housing materials chosen for each switch.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch's 48 grams, making it the heavier of the two. Additionally, the Black Lotus requires a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is heavier than the V3 Crystal Pro's 60 grams. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a decent amount of resistance for typing. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the V3 Crystal Pro, as the lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the Black Lotus offers a more substantial typing experience with its higher forces, which may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch, it is clear that the Black Lotus has a travel distance of 4 mm while the V3 Crystal Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Black Lotus offers a more traditional travel distance, while the V3 Crystal Pro provides a slightly shallower feel. Gamers seeking faster response times may lean towards the V3 Crystal Pro with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Black Lotus. Both switches offer a different tactile experience, with the Black Lotus being the longer of the two. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
The Akko V3 Crystal 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 Crystal Pro for $3.30.
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 Durock Black Lotus linear switch is known for a yet unspecified quality, while the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch is described as having a chirpy sound signature, giving it a unique acoustic profile that sets it apart from other switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Black Lotus switch offers a silky and buttery typing experience, characterized by smooth key presses with minimal resistance. This switch provides a refined and polished feel, ensuring a consistent and effortless typing sensation. On the other hand, the V3 Crystal Pro switch is described as bouncy and polished, meaning it provides a spring-like feedback and a sleek typing experience with reduced friction. Both switches aim to offer a smooth typing feel, but the Black Lotus leans towards a more refined and controlled experience, while the V3 Crystal Pro emphasizes a lively and bouncy feel.
Ultimately, both the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus excels in smoothness and precision, with a substantial actuation weight and a removable light column for in-switch lighting. On the other hand, the V3 Crystal Pro stands out with its fully polycarbonate construction, offering a bright sound signature and a silky smooth typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a more controlled and refined feel or a lively and bouncy typing sensation, you can achieve similar results in terms of overall typing satisfaction with either of these premium linear switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch, consider your personal preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with smooth and precise keystrokes, the Black Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium bottom out force with a distinctive sound profile and a bouncy feel, the V3 Crystal Pro could be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, your decision should be based on how you prioritize factors such as bottom out force, sound signature, and typing feel to ensure that you are satisfied with your mechanical keyboard switch selection.