Durock Blue Lotus vs. Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Blue Lotus, a tactile switch, and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro, a linear switch. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are known for their tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, thanks to their slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. These switches are perfect for those who enjoy a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination with their detachable light column. On the other hand, the Matcha Green Pro switches from Akko offer a smooth and substantial keystroke experience, with a satisfyingly sharp bottom-out that provides clear and tactile feedback. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal to different preferences - the Blue Lotus for tactile enthusiasts and the Matcha Green Pro for those who appreciate a solid, responsive keystroke. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches both offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which provides a premium feel and likely affects the sound profile when releasing a key. In contrast, the V3 Matcha Green Pro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is ideal for RGB lighting. While both switches have distinct top housings, they may offer similar results in terms of responsiveness and overall typing feel.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Blue Lotus and the V3 Matcha Green Pro switches utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that may enhance the typing experience. Despite the similar material choice for their bottom housings, the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel may vary slightly between the two switches, contributing to differences in overall typing feedback.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Blue Lotus and the V3 Matcha Green Pro can greatly impact the sound and feel of typing. While the two switches may differ in their top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with unique characteristics. Whether it be the premium feel of a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing or the deeper sound profile of a nylon bottom housing, each switch offers its own set of qualities that cater to individual preferences and typing styles.
Weight
The actuation force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch is the same at 55 grams, providing a consistent feel when typing or gaming. However, the bottom out force of the Blue Lotus is slightly heavier at 65 grams compared to the 63 grams of the V3 Matcha Green Pro. This means that the Blue Lotus requires a bit more force to fully press the key down compared to the Akko switch. For those who prefer a slightly heavier typing experience, the Blue Lotus may be the better option, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro could be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the differences in force being a matter of personal preference.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers looking for faster response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be significant to most users, as both offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to individual preference for a slightly shorter or longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Blue 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 Blue Lotus for $4.57.
The Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro has an MSRP of $4.66 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Matcha Green Pro for $2.20.
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 Blue Lotus switch offers a bassy profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switch is described as clacky and resonant, producing sharp, snappy sounds with higher-pitched profiles. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that can enhance the typing experience, with the Blue Lotus delivering a more bass-heavy tone and the Matcha Green Pro offering a crisp and bright sound.
In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus switch is labeled as accented, snappy, and stepped, providing a tactile experience that falls between medium and sharp feedback levels with responsive keystrokes. Conversely, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switch offers a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky typing experience, with a focus on smooth and buttery key presses with rebound feedback. Both switches offer unique tactile qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Blue Lotus offering a more pronounced tactile bump and the Matcha Green Pro delivering a smoother and more elastic feel.
Overall, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch each offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Lotus excels in providing a marked tactile feel with a bassy sound profile, while the Matcha Green Pro offers a smooth and substantial feel with clacky and resonant sound characteristics. Depending on the user's preference for tactile intensity and sound profile, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience that is sure to enhance the overall mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch, consider your preferences in terms of tactile feedback, bottom out force, sound, and overall typing experience. If you prioritize a pronounced tactile feel with a slightly reduced travel distance and vibrant RGB illumination, the Blue Lotus switches may be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and substantial keystroke with a satisfyingly sharp bottom-out and resonant clacks, the Matcha Green Pro switches could be more up your alley. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile. Choose the switch that best aligns with your typing style and preferences for an optimal mechanical keyboard experience.
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