Kailh Box Navy vs. Akko V3 Cream Black Pro
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch. The Box Navy is ideal for those who enjoy a heavy typing experience and the satisfying sound and tactility of a clicky switch, reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Black Pro is a great choice for budget-conscious individuals looking for high-quality switches that offer a smooth and unique poppy sound. While the Box Navy is characterized by its sharp and crunchy feel, the V3 Cream Black Pro is known for its creamy 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
60g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
20mm
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Box Navy and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. The similarities in their top housing material ensure that both switches offer a consistent sound experience with a focus on clarity and sharpness.
On the other hand, the Box Navy features a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Similarly, the V3 Cream Black Pro also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a focus on a rich and deep sound profile. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches emphasizes the importance of sound absorption and a fuller typing experience.
When considering how the top and bottom housing materials affect the overall sound of the switches, it's important to note that the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. While the Kailh Box Navy and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro have different bottom housing materials, their consistent use of polycarbonate for the top housing ensures a similar sound experience when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the sound characteristics each housing material brings to the typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch to the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch, we can see that the Box Navy has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the V3 Cream Black Pro's lighter 55 grams. Similarly, the Box Navy has a heavier bottom out force of 90 grams, while the V3 Cream Black Pro has a relatively lighter 65 grams. This means that the Box Navy switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, ideal for those who prefer a heavier switch. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Black Pro offers a lighter typing experience, which is better suited for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. Both switches offer different levels of resistance, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro the shorter of the two switches. A shorter travel distance is favored by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying key press for some users. In this case, if you prefer a quicker response, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro would be the better choice, but if you prefer a deeper key press, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer slightly shorter travel distances than the traditional 4.0mm, but their differences can provide unique typing experiences depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro has an MSRP of $3.77 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Black Pro for $2.70.
The Kailh Box Navy comes in at $5.50 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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience, producing a higher-pitched and immersive sound profile reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch provides a high-pitched and crisp sound when pressed, offering a unique poppy and clacky sound that is complemented by its smoothness. Both switches bring a distinctive auditory experience to the table, with the Box Navy leaning towards a sharper and vintage feel, while the Cream Black Pro V3 delivers a crisper and modern sound.
Moving on to the feel, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is known for its sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback, offering a strong and crisp tactile bump with a high feedback intensity. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch provides a creamy, bouncy, snappy, and polished typing experience, characterized by a smooth and buttery sensation with lively rebound and reduced friction. While the Box Navy offers a more intense and stiff typing experience, the Cream Black Pro V3 provides a smoother and more responsive feel, catering to different preferences in tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch bring different subjective qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. The Box Navy offers a resonant and crunchy sound with a sharp, invigorating tactile feedback, suitable for those seeking a vintage and heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Cream Black Pro V3 provides a high-pitched and crisp sound with a creamy, bouncy feel, catering to budget-conscious individuals looking for a smooth and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users will get distinctive results based on their personal preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a heavier typing experience with a satisfying clicky sound, the Box Navy switches are a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and lighter typing feel with a unique poppy sound, the V3 Cream Black Pro switches may be more to your liking. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to what you value most in a keyboard switch. Choose wisely based on your typing needs and enjoy the tactile experience each switch has to offer.
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