Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Gateron Jupiter Brown mechanical keyboard switches, both offer tactile feedback but with unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The V3 Cream Blue Pro stands out for its budget-friendly option that provides a lively and clicky typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy a distinct sound profile and smooth keystrokes. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown offers a more traditional tactile feel with a medium-heavy weight and softer backlight effects for an enhanced aesthetic appeal. While both switches excel in their own right, ultimately, the choice between them comes down to personal preference and intended usage. 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Gateron Jupiter Brown both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This material is also advantageous for switches intended for use with RGB lighting, thanks to its translucency. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Blue Pro and Gateron Jupiter Brown differ in their bottom housing material. The V3 Cream Blue Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Brown also opts for a nylon bottom housing, emphasizing a similar rich and round sound experience.
Despite the different bottom housing materials, the V3 Cream Blue Pro and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer similar typing experiences due to their shared use of nylon. Typing on both switches elicits a deep and full sound profile, showcasing the enhanced acoustics provided by the softer nylon material. The bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound upon key release. In this aspect, the switches may diverge slightly in their typing feedback based on the top and bottom housing material distribution.
In conclusion, both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Gateron Jupiter Brown cater to users seeking a tactile and audibly satisfying typing experience. With polycarbonate top housings contributing to a sharp sound profile and nylon bottom housings enhancing a deep and full sound, these switches offer a balance of distinct qualities. Whether you opt for the V3 Cream Blue Pro with its clear polycarbonate top or the Gateron Jupiter Brown with a similar design, the resulting typing experience will be comparable in terms of sound quality and tactile feedback.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 55 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the V3 Cream Blue Pro requires 55 grams, while the Jupiter Brown needs 70 grams, making it the heavier option. The V3 Cream Blue Pro offers a more gentle typing experience which can be preferred for longer typing sessions, while the Jupiter Brown provides a more substantial push feel for those who prefer a heavier typing experience. Both switches offer a different typing feel due to the variance in actuation and bottom out forces, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro falling into the medium-light category and the Jupiter Brown leaning towards a medium-heavy feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing force.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Cream Blue Pro offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown provides a deeper and more satisfying keystroke with its longer travel distance. Both switches are suitable for different preferences, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro being ideal for those seeking quick and precise keystrokes, while the Jupiter Brown is favored by those who prefer a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro has an MSRP of $2.88 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Blue Pro for $2.00.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 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
When it comes to sound, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is known for its distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, which provides lively and audible feedback that many users enjoy. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown's sound profile is characterized as smooth and soft. It's important to note that sound can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the V3 Cream Blue Pro offers an accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished typing experience, providing a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. In contrast, the Jupiter Brown switches are described as mild, polished, and stepped, offering a more gentle typing experience with a smooth finish and a mild tactile response. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, but the V3 Cream Blue Pro leans towards a more lively tactile feedback, while the Jupiter Brown offers a softer and more subdued feel.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the V3 Cream Blue Pro excels in providing a lively and audible typing experience with a medium level of tactility, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer a softer and more traditional feel with a classic keystroke sensation. Depending on whether you prefer more pronounced tactile feedback or a gentler typing experience, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a lively, audible feedback with a creamy, tactile sensation, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a classic keystroke feel with high-precision molds, the Jupiter Brown is the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to identify what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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