Akko V3 Cream Black Pro vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Cherry MX Red both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro is praised for its budget-friendly yet high-quality build, providing a poppy and clacky sound with smoothness that sets it apart. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red is a classic Cherry switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, offering a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. While the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro is categorized as creamy, high-pitched, bouncy, snappy, polished, the Cherry MX Red falls into categories such as thocky, low-pitched, textured. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and Cherry MX Red switches both utilize different housing materials, with the V3 Cream Black Pro featuring a polycarbonate top housing while the MX Red uses a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, nylon in the MX Red switch housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound to create a rounder tone. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of the sound profile desired.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the V3 Cream Black Pro and MX Red switches utilize nylon material. This material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound to create a duller and rounder tone. While the bottom housing may not have as much of an impact on the overall sound as the top housing, it still plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. The use of nylon in both switches for the bottom housing ensures a consistent sound profile and feel when typing on either switch, providing a familiar experience for users regardless of the brand or model.
Overall, the choice between the V3 Cream Black Pro and Cherry MX Red switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and feel. The V3 Cream Black Pro's polycarbonate top housing may provide a sharper and higher-pitched sound compared to the MX Red's nylon top housing, while both switches share the same nylon bottom housing for a consistent typing experience. Whether you prefer a crisper and resonant sound profile or a deeper and fuller tone, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
Comparing the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the bottom out force is unknown. When considering weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Cherry MX Red for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may enjoy the heavier actuation force of the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer different experiences due to their varying actuation forces, allowing users to choose based on their preferences for typing or gaming comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, we find that the V3 Cream Black Pro has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the MX Red has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the V3 Cream Black Pro the shorter option between the two. In terms of response time, shorter travel distances are favored by gamers for faster reactions, while longer travel distances may feel more substantial to some users. Both switches offer different experiences due to their varying travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference in choosing the one that suits your typing or gaming style best.
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 Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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 Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch is characterized by a high-pitched and poppy sound that offers a sharp and crisp auditory experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and rich tone. While both switches offer distinct sound qualities, the V3 Cream Black Pro leans towards a brighter sound while the MX Red offers a deeper and bassier tone. Ultimately, the sound preference between the two switches comes down to personal taste and the overall setup of the keyboard.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the V3 Cream Black Pro offers a creamy and bouncy typing experience that can be attributed to its smoothness and spring-like feedback. Additionally, the switch is described as snappy and polished, providing a refined and effortless keystroke sensation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch is mentioned to have a textured feel, which may indicate a bit of friction during typing. While the V3 Cream Black Pro offers a silky and responsive typing experience, the Cherry MX Red provides a more tactile and textured feel that some users may prefer for a bit of resistance while typing.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and Cherry MX Red linear switches each have their own unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The V3 Cream Black Pro stands out with its high-pitched and poppy sound, along with a creamy and bouncy typing feel. In comparison, the Cherry MX Red switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, paired with a textured typing feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches provide quality options that deliver a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience. Whether choosing the V3 Cream Black Pro or the MX Red, users can expect comparable results in terms of quality and performance within their respective sound and feel profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and are looking for a budget-friendly option with a unique poppy and clacky sound, smooth keystrokes, and a creamy and bouncy typing feel, then the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a slightly heftier feel, deeper sound profile, and prefer a switch with a thocky and low-pitched sound, along with a textured typing feel, then the Cherry MX Red switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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