TTC Bluish White vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and Akko Penguin both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Bluish White is lauded for its satisfyingly poppy feel and snappy sound profile, providing a tactile experience categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Subtle', 'Polished', and 'Low-pitched'. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin introduces silent tactile switches ideal for office settings, boasting a rounded tactile bump for quiet feedback and medium weight for a balance between responsiveness and comfort. While the Bluish White is perfect for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feel, the Akko Penguin caters to those seeking a quieter typing experience. 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
42g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Penguin, it is evident that both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This classic switch housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder tone. However, the Bluish White's top housing is constructed from polycarbonate, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. On the other hand, the Penguin utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile throughout the switch.
While the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Penguin share a similar bottom housing material in nylon, they differ in their top housing construction. The Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing provides a clear and resonant sound profile, ideal for those seeking a sharper and crisper typing experience. In contrast, the Penguin's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, catering to individuals who prefer a softer and rounder tone. The choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound characteristics and typing feel.
The distinction between the housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Penguin extends beyond their sound profiles. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Bluish White is especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the nylon construction of the Penguin's top housing may not have the same visual appeal. However, both switches excel in providing a tactile typing experience, with the top housing impacting the sound when a key is released and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. Whether one prefers the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the fuller tone of nylon, both switches offer a unique typing experience worth exploring.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Bluish White is the lighter option. The Bluish White has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Penguin has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The actuation force for both switches is quite similar, with just a 1-gram difference, resulting in a comparable typing experience in terms of activation. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Bluish White requires less force, making it easier on the fingers during extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing feedback for those who prefer a firmer keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired amount of force required for a satisfying keystroke.
Travel distance
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Akko Penguin tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - the Bluish White switch may offer a slightly deeper press, while the Penguin switch could provide a slightly quicker feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively similar travel distance and would likely result in comparable experiences when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
The Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin for $3.10.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Bluish White switch offers a low-pitched, satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a bass-heavy and mellow tone. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switch provides a muted and neutral sound profile, making it ideal for office environments where noise reduction is crucial. Both switches cater to different sound preferences, with the Bluish White being more prominent in sound and the Penguin focusing on a quieter typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Bluish White switch offers a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate a smooth and fluid keystroke, gentle resistance, mild tactility, and refined finish. Similarly, the Akko Penguin switch also provides a polished, mild, feathery, and subtle typing feel. Both switches excel in providing a smooth and comfortable typing experience, ensuring reduced friction and fatigue during prolonged use.
In conclusion, while the TTC Bluish White and Akko Penguin tactile switches differ in sound and feel characteristics, they both offer high-quality typing experiences tailored to the preferences of users. The Bluish White switch leans towards a more poppy and tactile sound profile, while the Penguin switch focuses on a quieter typing experience suitable for office settings. Ultimately, both switches deliver on their promises of satisfying feedback and smooth key travel, making them excellent choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking for a premium typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, consider your priorities. If you prioritize a light typing experience with a satisfying tactile feedback and snappy sound, then the TTC Bluish White switch could be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight switch that provides a balanced mix of responsiveness and ease of use, with a quieter sound profile ideal for office environments, then the Akko Penguin switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific environment in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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